8 Clothing Hacks I Learned While Working Retail
The Persil® brand provided me with a sample of Persil® ProClean™ laundry detergent in exchange for a product review. However, all the opinions expressed here are my own.
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. OK, more like it was the worst of times and that’s it. I worked retail my junior year of high school through the end of my year at beauty school. That was 3 years too many, in my opinion. Can you tell how much I disliked working retail? Despite my disdain for retail, I did pick up a few tips and tricks (or clothing hacks, you could say) that I use to this day.
Wash dark jeans inside out for longer lasting dark washes. Especially with the first wash, but I use this tip always. It keeps my dark wash jeans (which is the wash I pretty much only buy nowadays) dark. And, it prevents the dye from leaking off of the jeans and onto the other clothes in the same load.
Deodorant stains? In a pinch, you can rub the clothing together to get rid of deodorant lines. With multiple people trying on the same clothing each day, there was bound to be deodorant rubbing off on the clothes that we were attempting to sell. We didn’t have anything fancy to remove it, but my boss once taught me that by rubbing the clothing together you could virtually get rid of the stain. Try it sometime, it works!
Freeze your jeans to get rid of odor. Move over, bag of chicken breasts. I sat too close to the bonfire last night and I don’t have time to wash my jeans. I was an unbeliever when I first learned of this trick, but I am completely in awe of how well it works. I will take my stinky jeans, throw them in the freezer overnight, pull them out in the morning, and voila: no more smell. Bonus points when it’s particularly warm out. Fresh out of the freezer jeans are quite refreshing.
Buying jeans with stretch? Go one size smaller. We were always instructed to guide our customers into buying jeans a size tighter than was comfortable if the word “SPANDEX” was anywhere on the tag. Sure, they would feel tight at first, but over the course of a normal day they would hold their shape and stay on better than buying what was technically the customer’s size. I have definitely found this to be true for myself. No one likes a sloppy looking butt.
Use an old razor to remove “friction balls” from clothing. Take an old razor, or new, just make sure there’s not one of those vitamin E strips on it. Run it gently over the areas of your clothes that develop those annoying “friction balls”. It acts like a store bought fabric shaver, if you don’t happen to own one. I had to use this trick far too many times before we finally bought our new washing machine. Explain this to me: why did the old washer make all of my clothes develop those annoying balls all over them? So many good sweatshirts and sweatpants almost ruined.
Only wash jeans every 3-4 wears. This might seem like common sense to you, but before I moved out of my parent’s house I was washing my jeans every time I wore them. When you wore an article of clothing in my parent’s house, no matter for how long, you threw it in the wash. My mom never complained or suggested we wear our clothes multiple times to spare her from the loads upon loads of laundry she did for our family of 5. When I learned that people did indeed wear clothes more than once, sometimes 2, 3, even 4 times before washing them depending on stains/smell, my mind was blown. My clothing has been lasting longer ever since.
How to fold jeans for efficient storage. After mindlessly folding pair after pair of jeans this way, it’s basically in my “genes” (hah.) I use this method not only because I can do it blindfolded while standing on my head, but it also helps make the best use of closet shelf space. First fold the jeans in half, lining the bottom up with the top. Then, fold the “crotch” (for lack of better term) in. Finally, fold the jeans in half again. I find that my jeans can stack nicely on my closet shelves without the “crotch” sticking out.
Use quality detergent. OK so this is probably common sense, but the higher quality the detergent you use, the longer your clothes will last. Stains will come out easier, whites will stay whiter longer, the fabric will retain it’s shape better. I find this is even more important now that I have a crazy toddler who loves to play outdoors and get messy!
I got to put Persil® to the test after a busy weekend outdoors. We got plenty of quality park play, and with that came plenty of stains. And silly me, I had Bean in white jeans for some of it. Luckily, the Persil® Power-Liquid™ acts like a pre-treatment stain remover. I just rubbed a little on the dirt stains and let it sit for a few minutes before washing. They came out looking brand new again!
Persil® ProClean™ is available in 3 different forms:
- Power-Liquid™– Contains a powerful combination of stain-fighters that help break down stains for an exceptional clean.
- Power-Pearls™– An innovative new kind of detergent that is loaded with Pro-White technology for dazzling whites.
- Power-Caps™– Pre-measured Power-Caps detergent capsule combines Pro-Lift Stain Removers plus a Brightness Formula for a premium clean.
Persil® ProClean is now available in store only at Walmart. Check out PersilProClean.com to check them out.
I'm interested. staceyabfalter@gmail.com.
I'll get it to you in the mail as soon as I can!
I'm interested in a coupon please
Mrsbarnes85@gmail.com
okay i really love that deodorant trick! i will definitely keep it in mind for all of my black blouses that i sometimes put on too quickly!
also, i had no idea that you went to beauty school – i did too! there are many beauty tricks that i learned in school, you should share yours sometime! xo
These are great tips! I love your freezer trick! I'm definitely going to try that. 🙂
And if you still have an extra coupon, I'd love to give Persil a try! jessicaholoka@gmail.com
Great! I'll be getting in touch.
Definitely try the freezer trick, it's so awesome! I'll be getting in touch for your address.
Oooo, great idea for a post! We should collaborate!