# Laundry advice - removal of skid marks (poss. TMI) **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 12, 2009, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laundry-advice-removal-of-skid-marks-poss-tmi/496171 "2009-05-12T15:45:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/le_ministre_de_l_au-dela/32/12181_2.png) [@Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Le_Ministre_de_l_au-dela)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2009, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laundry-advice-removal-of-skid-marks-poss-tmi/496171/1 "2009-05-12T15:45:31Z")
Well, the title says it all - my biggest problem with the laundry is the persistence of little brown lines or spots in my y-fronts. While I find prevention is a better approach than anything else, eg. wash your arse after shitting, there are times when that isn’t possible, and so, I ask - does anyone here have any magic tricks for getting your undies fresh and white? ---
**Author:** ![AngryIrishLass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bbce88/32.png) [@AngryIrishLass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AngryIrishLass)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2009, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laundry-advice-removal-of-skid-marks-poss-tmi/496171/2 "2009-05-12T15:56:43Z")
I speak as the mother of 3 boys. I’ve never ever gotten a soiled pair of tightie whities white again. I’ve used a pre-treatment spray, bleach, bleach soak. My magic: a trash can. ---
**Author:** ![chaoticbear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f07891/32.png) [@chaoticbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chaoticbear)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2009, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laundry-advice-removal-of-skid-marks-poss-tmi/496171/3 "2009-05-12T17:41:48Z")
Speaking as an adult male, I have only had this happen as a result of thinking I had to fart, when I really had diarrhea. Is toilet paper not available in Seaton Village? ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2009, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laundry-advice-removal-of-skid-marks-poss-tmi/496171/4 "2009-05-12T17:51:46Z")
When I have the occasional problem with that (I seldom wear tighty whiteys any more), Shout or Spray-n-Wash (whichever was cheaper the day I was buying) work fine for me. I wash my whites with bleach, too, so that’s part of it. ---
**Author:** ![Myrrajh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/87869e/32.png) [@Myrrajh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Myrrajh)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2009, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laundry-advice-removal-of-skid-marks-poss-tmi/496171/5 "2009-05-12T17:57:21Z")
Hot water, detergent, and a scoop of Oxyclean or something similar. I was very pleased with the results. ---
**Author:** ![RedRosesForMe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/91b2a8/32.png) [@RedRosesForMe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedRosesForMe)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2009, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laundry-advice-removal-of-skid-marks-poss-tmi/496171/6 "2009-05-12T21:34:56Z")
I’ll second the trash can suggestion. And I’ll also add that I totally thought y-fronts were something else. :o ---
**Author:** ![Covered\_In\_Bees](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7ab992/32.png) [@Covered\_In\_Bees](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Covered_In_Bees)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2009, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laundry-advice-removal-of-skid-marks-poss-tmi/496171/7 "2009-05-12T23:17:38Z")
Tighty whities are so easily replaced, I’m inclined to agree with a few others here and say toss 'em. ---
**Author:** ![Tenar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/35a633/32.png) [@Tenar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tenar)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2009, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laundry-advice-removal-of-skid-marks-poss-tmi/496171/8 "2009-05-12T23:28:33Z")
May I suggest Woolite Pet Stain and Odor Remover Plus Oxygen? Never tried it on undies, but have used it extensively in removing fecal detritus (including ground in stains and diarrhea) deposited by my beloved dog in his last days, and it did wonders. I suggest using a (dedicated) scrub brush on the stain after applying the cleanser and before laundering. As I recently discovered, the product also works great on de-stinking smelly sneakers. Just be sure that the undies are thoroughly rinsed before use, as I don’t know whether product residue might be irritating to “sensitive areas.” I assume that a standard run through the washing machine should suffice, but better safe than sorry. ---
**Author:** ![racer72](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/racer72/32/3075_2.png) [@racer72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racer72)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2009, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laundry-advice-removal-of-skid-marks-poss-tmi/496171/9 "2009-05-12T23:36:42Z")
How about [this product.](http://www.ritdye.com/home.lasso) Might I suggest the cocoa brown? ---
**Author:** ![HelloKitty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ecccb3/32.png) [@HelloKitty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HelloKitty)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2009, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laundry-advice-removal-of-skid-marks-poss-tmi/496171/10 "2009-05-12T23:55:07Z")
Well I’ve never needed to do this, but I have a friend (wink wink) that swears by pouring some hydrogen peroxide over the stain until it stops bubbling, let it soak a bit, then launder as usual. Works really well and it won’t destroy fabric like bleach will. ---
**Author:** ![Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/le_ministre_de_l_au-dela/32/12181_2.png) [@Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Le_Ministre_de_l_au-dela)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2009, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laundry-advice-removal-of-skid-marks-poss-tmi/496171/11 "2009-05-13T01:39:54Z")
> [@chaoticbear](#): > > Speaking as an adult male, I have only had this happen as a result of thinking I had to fart, when I really had diarrhea. Is toilet paper not available in Seaton Village? All I can say is, if that works for you, you should be deeply grateful to whatever supernatural entity oversees your BVDs. As for the rest of us who wear tennis shoes or the occasional python boot, I can swipe my fundamental orifice until it shines and there will be a Hershey squirt in my gauche at the end of the day, sure as shootin’. Nothing short of bathing does the trick. **AngryIrishLass, RedRosesForMe, Covered\_In\_Bees!** I do trash them, but I seem to go through 18 pair in a year. I also have developed the habit of keeping back a couple of unopened packages for days when someone other than my wife (like costume designers, dressers, wardrobe supervisors - I’m in theatre.) is going to see me in my skivvies. Still, it seems awfully wasteful, and it really ticks me off to see the most recent crop (from a month ago) already sporting a couple of fudge drops. I HATE shopping, even if it’s only straight in and out of The Bay to get some Stanfield’s. I will try out some of the other suggestions and get back to you - many thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Raintitan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e99b99/32.png) [@Raintitan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raintitan)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2009, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laundry-advice-removal-of-skid-marks-poss-tmi/496171/12 "2009-05-13T02:49:19Z")
I suggest migrating to colored underwear…aside from the lightest colored ones I think you will find that the problem is…more or less “masked”. R ---
**Author:** ![BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bcef8e/32.png) [@BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2009, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laundry-advice-removal-of-skid-marks-poss-tmi/496171/13 "2009-05-13T03:31:23Z")
Definitely switch to colors. And try boxers-- I swears you won’t go back! ---
**Author:** ![Renee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/renee/32/287_2.png) [@Renee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Renee)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2009, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laundry-advice-removal-of-skid-marks-poss-tmi/496171/14 "2009-05-13T05:58:19Z")
> [@Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](#): > > All I can say is, if that works for you, you should be deeply grateful to whatever supernatural entity oversees your BVDs. As for the rest of us who wear tennis shoes or the occasional python boot, I can swipe my fundamental orifice until it shines and there will be a Hershey squirt in my gauche at the end of the day, sure as shootin’. Nothing short of bathing does the trick. Really? I dunno, this has never happened to me, ever. Or my husband, in the 10 years we’ve been together. Are you sure you don’t have a medical problem? Honestly, I’d get it checked out. ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2009, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laundry-advice-removal-of-skid-marks-poss-tmi/496171/15 "2009-05-13T14:25:49Z")
Colors, colors, colors! Never have to worry about keeping them white and if some nosy neighbor happens to catch a glimpse of you walking around the house in them they can pass as a swim suit or bike shorts from a distance. ---
**Author:** ![chaoticbear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f07891/32.png) [@chaoticbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chaoticbear)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2009, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laundry-advice-removal-of-skid-marks-poss-tmi/496171/16 "2009-05-13T15:08:12Z")
> [@Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](#): > > All I can say is, if that works for you, you should be deeply grateful to whatever supernatural entity oversees your BVDs. As for the rest of us who wear tennis shoes or the occasional python boot, I can swipe my fundamental orifice until it shines and there will be a Hershey squirt in my gauche at the end of the day, sure as shootin’. Nothing short of bathing does the trick. I didn’t mean for my post to sound snarky, but upon rereading, it probably did. Anyway, I probably put more effort into wiping than some people. When at home, I always make the last couple passes with a moistened set of TP, and when in a public restroom I (don’t laugh!) spit on the TP to achieve moist cleaning. I used to buy the adult baby wipes, but decided that it was a waste of money. ---
**Author:** ![LouisB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dfb087/32.png) [@LouisB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LouisB)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2009, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laundry-advice-removal-of-skid-marks-poss-tmi/496171/17 "2009-05-13T17:25:12Z")
> [@HelloKitty](#): > > Well I’ve never needed to do this, but I have a friend (wink wink) that swears by pouring some hydrogen peroxide over the stain until it stops bubbling, let it soak a bit, then launder as usual. > > Works really well and it won’t destroy fabric like bleach will. Good for blood stains, too. ---
**Author:** ![LouisB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dfb087/32.png) [@LouisB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LouisB)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2009, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laundry-advice-removal-of-skid-marks-poss-tmi/496171/18 "2009-05-13T17:27:13Z")
> [@Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](#): > > Well, the title says it all - my biggest problem with the laundry is the persistence of little brown lines or spots in my y-fronts. While I find prevention is a better approach than anything else, eg. wash your arse after shitting, there are times when that isn’t possible, and so, I ask - does anyone here have any magic tricks for getting your undies fresh and white? Just wear Adult Depends under your undies and the problem is solved. ---
**Author:** ![chaoticbear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f07891/32.png) [@chaoticbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chaoticbear)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2009, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laundry-advice-removal-of-skid-marks-poss-tmi/496171/19 "2009-05-13T20:29:02Z")
> [@LouisB](#): > > Just wear Adult Depends under your undies and the problem is solved. Next thread: How to remove skid marks from Depends? ---
**Author:** ![Cardinal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardinal/32/4000_2.png) [@Cardinal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardinal)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2009, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laundry-advice-removal-of-skid-marks-poss-tmi/496171/20 "2009-05-13T20:45:55Z")
> [@chaoticbear](#): > > I used to buy the adult baby wipes, but decided that it was a waste of money. Baby wipes are where it’s at. I don’t use regular TP on the toilet any more. 1/2 a sheet for the bulk, 1/2 for the fine points. Much better. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laundry-advice-removal-of-skid-marks-poss-tmi/496171.md?page=2)