Monday 12 August 2013

Do you think you know how to pack?

Packing for a trip is easy when you plan ahead by following the tips given below. Remember to pack according to the weather, location and activities planned. Be sure to include toiletries, medications and valuables such as jewellery in a separate travelling case which you can stow away in an overhead cabin. Over-packing will leave less room in your suitcase for purchasing gifts and souvenirs.

  1. Put large or heavy clothing at the bottom. always put heavier or larger items at the bottom of the suitcase.
  2. Pack several lightweight layers. this will work well for both hot and cold weather.
  3. Choose between rolling and folding your clothing. If you need more space in your suitcase and are not worried about the weight, roll your clothes. If you do not need as much space and want to keep the weight down, fold your clothes.
  4. Use the inside of your shoes as storage space. Stuff your socks inside your shoes if there is no other room for them.
  5. Pack fragile items in the centre of your case.
  6. Place dress shirts and other formal items on top. Put dress shirts on top so that you can remove them easily for hanging and ironing.
  7. Put shoes in plastic bag. You can use grocery bag or a shower cap.
  8. Use creases and gaps to place underwear. Fit the underwear and socks down the sides once the case is full. 


Dealing with clothing stains away from home

Collar Stains
You don't need a special stain remover to banish a ring around the collar. Any staining around the collar can be easily removed with a touch of something you're pretty much guaranteed to have in your hotel room. Just pour a little shampoo - any shampoo will do, even the inexpensive, generic kind onto the collar, rub the collar together to work the shampoo in well, and rinse thoroughly. Then launder as usual.

Tea Stains

If you have fabrics with tea stains, there is no need to panic.  The stain will come out if you give it a little sugar. Mix up a concoction of heavily sugared water by stirring the water as you add sugar to it. Keep adding sugar until it no longer dissolves (warm water makes it easier for sugar to dissolve). To remove tea stains from clothing, submerge the stained area for several minutes in a small container of the heavily sugared water, then hand wash as usual.

Lipstick Stains

We've got a great laundry trick for lipstick stains! To remove lipstick from dark fabrics, grab a piece of white bread (leftover from your breakfast) and remove the crust. You don't have to forgo a sandwich; you can use the heel of the loaf - no one likes that piece anyway. Wad up the soft centre and rub it gently on the stain until it picks up all of the lipstick. Sweep away any leftover crumbs with your finger.