Roller coaster III: Get Me (The Parent) Through 3/C Year Class of ‘25

[Heatherg21]

Our DD played travel softball for years. Never failed to have white uniforms.
Red clay infields and you get the picture.

One of the dad’s had a method that involved oxyclean, arm and hammer powdered detergent and a bar of soap that you can find in Latin grocery stores (starts with an N).

Rub the stains with the bar of soap both sides of the fabric. Spray with pre treat. Then in a five gallon bucket of cold water, pour in a can of Coca Cola and two cups powdered detergent with one scoop oxyclean. Next day wash in warm. Don’t dry if stain still present.

I am sure CaptMJ’s is a better recipe for Navy whites.

If you are a parent who lives far far away from the yard, like me, you never see your MIDN’s laundry. He has never brought it home.

 

[retiredradar]

Our DD played travel softball for years. Never failed to have white uniforms.
Red clay infields and you get the picture.

One of the dad’s had a method that involved oxyclean, arm and hammer powdered detergent and a bar of soap that you can find in Latin grocery stores (starts with an N).

Rub the stains with the bar of soap both sides of the fabric. Spray with pre treat. Then in a five gallon bucket of cold water, pour in a can of Coca Cola and two cups powdered detergent with one scoop oxyclean. Next day wash in warm. Don’t dry if stain still present.

I am sure CaptMJ’s is a better recipe for Navy whites.

If you are a parent who lives far far away from the yard, like me, you never see your MIDN’s laundry. He has never brought it home.

Is the soap called Fels Naptha? I used to use that on my cross stitch projects when the hoop left a ring. (and if that didn't give it away, yes I'm female)

 

[Heatherg21]

Is the soap called Fels Naptha? I used to use that on my cross stitch projects when the hoop left a ring. (and if that didn't give it away, yes I'm female)

That’s the one!

 

[Old Navy BGO]

Got a sneak peek of Class of 2026 plebe summer schedule. Saw that in Week 4, right after plebes get their summer whites, the eminent @Capt MJ will be conducting a seminar titled “Keeping Your Whites White.”

What , CAPT MJ has the unlocked the secret to keeping Whites ...white ? Whoever came up with the idea that white was a good color for uniforms was crazy ! Sure, they look cool..but impossible to keep clean. Good thing, I can probably count on one hand the times I wore summer whites after I graduated.

My favorite "keeping summer whites white" story ...picture a gaggle (probably 6-8) of Plebes walking back from Eastport late Saturday evening in the Spring of 1982, after seeing a movie and having a couple beers. (Is there still a theater in Eastport ?). It has been raining ( uniform of day included "carry raingear"; the raingear of that era was cheap , plastic, and no one ever wore it because it smelled horrible). One of said Plebes (not me ! ) thought it would be a good idea to jump puddles in the sidewalk on the way home. Sometimes the size of puddles is deceiving, and he didn't quite make it across one..resulting in a slip and butt plant --big muddy mess on his bum ! Of course, we all wanted to get back into the Hall without attracting attention, so we put on raincoats and kinda tightened up the formation so he was covered by the rest of us. Whites were trashed, but we got in safely ...and said Plebe went on to a very successful career ....

 

[Capt MJ]

What , CAPT MJ has the unlocked the secret to keeping Whites ...white ? Whoever came up with the idea that white was a good color for uniforms was crazy ! Sure, they look cool..but impossible to keep clean. Good thing, I can probably count on one hand the times I wore summer whites after I graduated.

My favorite "keeping summer whites white" story ...picture a gaggle (probably 6-8) of Plebes walking back from Eastport late Saturday evening in the Spring of 1982, after seeing a movie and having a couple beers. (Is there still a theater in Eastport ?). It has been raining ( uniform of day included "carry raingear"; the raingear of that era was cheap , plastic, and no one ever wore it because it smelled horrible). One of said Plebes (not me ! ) thought it would be a good idea to jump puddles in the sidewalk on the way home. Sometimes the size of puddles is deceiving, and he didn't quite make it across one..resulting in a slip and butt plant --big muddy mess on his bum ! Of course, we all wanted to get back into the Hall without attracting attention, so we put on raincoats and kinda tightened up the formation so he was covered by the rest of us. Whites were trashed, but we got in safely ...and said Plebe went on to a very successful career ....

Adapt and survive.


Blame the Royal Navy for the whites. At least we don’t have Bermuda shorts and white knee socks. A RN exchange officer at a command I was at in San Diego delighted in wearing those. And they still believed in cool, breathable cotton, beautifully pressed, of course.

 

[Heatherg21]

@Capt MJ --- the zipping of the zipper tip is genius. My DS does laundry on the yard occasionally, I will pass that on to him. Genius, I say!

 

[Capt MJ]

@Capt MJ --- the zipping of the zipper tip is genius. My DS does laundry on the yard occasionally, I will pass that on to him. Genius, I say!

Of course, I have the little fuzz shaver to buzz off pesky pulls on those genuine 100% polyester uniforms. I have the uniform “medicine shelf” in the laundry cabinet. Serious tutoring takes place in that laundry room for the sponsor family.

 

[Heatherg21]

Of course, I have the little fuzz shaver to buzz off pesky pulls on those genuine 100% polyester uniforms. I have the uniform “medicine shelf” in the laundry cabinet. Serious tutoring takes place in that laundry room for the sponsor family.

When I grow up can you be my sponsor?

 

[OldRetSWO]

I didn't have Capt MJ to teach me but what I did have was my father. I joined Sea Cadets at age 14 or so and they wear Navy Uniforms. When I came home with my first set, he said, they were my uniforms and I had to take care of them so neither he nor my mother were my uniform laundry. Enlisted whites were not easy but Officer whites were a lot harder due to white shoes/socks along with greater expectations.
I'm still very good at "emergency" on the road sink touch ups/spot removal with regular bar soap and just used that method yesterday as I'm away at a convention and something got a stain.
Boys state Starts (for me) a week from tomorrow and I generally end up doing at least some "sink laundry" during the week.

 

[Capt MJ]

I didn't have Capt MJ to teach me but what I did have was my father. I joined Sea Cadets at age 14 or so and they wear Navy Uniforms. When I came home with my first set, he said, they were my uniforms and I had to take care of them so neither he nor my mother were my uniform laundry. Enlisted whites were not easy but Officer whites were a lot harder due to white shoes/socks along with greater expectations.
I'm still very good at "emergency" on the road sink touch ups/spot removal with regular bar soap and just used that method yesterday as I'm away at a convention and something got a stain.
Boys state Starts (for me) a week from tomorrow and I generally end up doing at least some "sink laundry" during the week.

I credit my prior enlisted roommate at OCS and my two fellow CWO4 DivOs at my first duty station for MVP-level tips.

 

[Heatherg21]

I didn't have Capt MJ to teach me but what I did have was my father. I joined Sea Cadets at age 14 or so and they wear Navy Uniforms. When I came home with my first set, he said, they were my uniforms and I had to take care of them so neither he nor my mother were my uniform laundry. Enlisted whites were not easy but Officer whites were a lot harder due to white shoes/socks along with greater expectations.
I'm still very good at "emergency" on the road sink touch ups/spot removal with regular bar soap and just used that method yesterday as I'm away at a convention and something got a stain.
Boys state Starts (for me) a week from tomorrow and I generally end up doing at least some "sink laundry" during the week.

Enjoy Boys State. I’m so grateful people like you do it. It changed our son’s life and he still is in contact with young men he met there, and the counselors who mentored him and he still stays in touch with.

And he found out a few weeks ago that a young man he met at boys state is now USNA 2026, so they will be on the yard together.

Thank you!!! The Legion does so much for youth. The oratorical competition also was incredible for our DS.

 

[LT360]

Four pages deep in the listing of threads...time to move back top.

DS is enjoying his time back on the Yard in prep for Block 2 YP cruise. He is really looking forward to being out on the water and is excited about his "jobs" on the boat. Although he has said he is really forward to leave Block 3 and is glad he did not pursue summer school. Next summer, maybe but this summer he is ready for a few weeks of a break.

 

[george44]

Help I saw a post about how to wash summer whites!! Anyone??
Also, how about the belt?

 

[Capt MJ]

Help I saw a post about how to wash summer whites!! Anyone??
Also, how about the belt?

Pre-treat stains. If you don’t have a pre-treat product, use a drip or two of your detergent directly on stain and pat in. Leave for 20 minutes. Check the front of the pants zipper and pocket entrances where dirt from your hands tends to transfer.

Zip zippers, so teeth don’t make those nasty pill-pulls in the fabric. Yes to the belt, remove buckle.

Warm water. Soak cycle, if you have it. Non-bleach whitener such as Oxyclean powder with your detergent or detergent with Oxyclean already in it. Wash them with just themselves - that will lead to fewer wrinkles. If you do throw in your white cotton skivvies and other white stuff, when the cycle is done, get uniform items out first and into the dryer by themselves, otherwise heavier cotton items will slow them down and over dry the uniform items. Pull out belt and let air dry. No need to scuff the metal in the dryer.

Do not use regular bleach. It will eventually yellow polyester material.

Don’t let them sit in the washer when done. Pull them out and let them dry on low or medium heat. Pull out as soon as they are done and hang up.

Don’t forget to clean your combo cover and shoes. Arm & Hammer baking soda toothpaste with peroxide is an excellent spot cleaner. Be sure you get the all-white paste and not a colored gel. Moisten an old toothbrush or bit of towel, dab some A&H on there, gently scrub scuffs and dark dirt from cover and shoes. It won’t take the place of an inspection polish on your white shoes, but they will be cleaner. Pull out your shoe laces, give them a light A&H treatment, because they get dirty too.

This is also a good time to test buttons on your shirt for any ready to escape their tether. Washers and Dryers know how to spot shirts you need to wear the next day and munch on and lose loose buttons you have ignored. I know this to be true.

 

[USNAhopeful2025]

Pre-treat stains. If you don’t have a pre-treat product, use a drip or two of your detergent directly on stain and pat in. Leave for 20 minutes. Check the front of the pants zipper and pocket entrances where dirt from your hands tends to transfer.

Zip zippers, so teeth don’t make those nasty pill-pulls in the fabric. Yes to the belt, remove buckle.

Warm water. Soak cycle, if you have it. Non-bleach whitener such as Oxyclean powder with your detergent or detergent with Oxyclean already in it. Wash them with just themselves - that will lead to fewer wrinkles. If you do throw in your white cotton skivvies and other white stuff, when the cycle is done, get uniform items out first and into the dryer by themselves, otherwise heavier cotton items will slow them down and over dry the uniform items.

Do not use regular bleach. It will eventually yellow polyester material.

Don’t let them sit in the washer when done. Pull them out and let them dry on low or medium heat. Pull out as soon as they are done and hang up. Let belt air dry.

Don’t forget to clean your combo cover and shoes. Arm & Hammer baking soda toothpaste with peroxide is an excellent spot cleaner. Be sure you get the all-white paste and not a colored gel. Moisten an old toothbrush or bit of towel, dab some A&H on there, gently scrub scuffs and dark dirt from cover and shoes. It won’t take the place of an inspection polish on your white shoes, but they will be cleaner. Pull out your shoe laces, give them a light A&H treatment, because they get dirty too.

This is also a good time to test buttons on your shirt for any ready to escape their tether. Washers and Dryers know how to spot shirts you need to wear the next day and munch on and lose loose buttons you have ignored. I know this to be true.

This is amazing. I am taking a picture and sending to my girl.

 

[george44]

Pre-treat stains. If you don’t have a pre-treat product, use a drip or two of your detergent directly on stain and pat in. Leave for 20 minutes. Check the front of the pants zipper and pocket entrances where dirt from your hands tends to transfer.

Zip zippers, so teeth don’t make those nasty pill-pulls in the fabric. Yes to the belt, remove buckle.

Warm water. Soak cycle, if you have it. Non-bleach whitener such as Oxyclean powder with your detergent or detergent with Oxyclean already in it. Wash them with just themselves - that will lead to fewer wrinkles. If you do throw in your white cotton skivvies and other white stuff, when the cycle is done, get uniform items out first and into the dryer by themselves, otherwise heavier cotton items will slow them down and over dry the uniform items. Pull out belt and let air dry. No need to scuff the metal in the dryer.

Do not use regular bleach. It will eventually yellow polyester material.

Don’t let them sit in the washer when done. Pull them out and let them dry on low or medium heat. Pull out as soon as they are done and hang up.

Don’t forget to clean your combo cover and shoes. Arm & Hammer baking soda toothpaste with peroxide is an excellWeent spot cleaner. Be sure you get the all-white paste and not a colored gel. Moisten an old toothbrush or bit of towel, dab some A&H on there, gently scrub scuffs and dark dirt from cover and shoes. It won’t take the place of an inspection polish on your white shoes, but they will be cleaner. Pull out your shoe laces, give them a light A&H treatment, because they get dirty too.

This is also a good time to test buttons on your shirt for any ready to escape their tether. Washers and Dryers know how to spot shirts you need to wear the next day and munch on and lose loose buttons you have ignored. I know this to be true.

Thank you so much!!! This is exactly what I was looking for. Happy 4th!!

 

[Capt MJ]

Thank you so much!!! This is exactly what I was looking for. Happy 4th!!

 

[LT360]

Pre-treat stains. If you don’t have a pre-treat product, use a drip or two of your detergent directly on stain and pat in. Leave for 20 minutes. Check the front of the pants zipper and pocket entrances where dirt from your hands tends to transfer.

Zip zippers, so teeth don’t make those nasty pill-pulls in the fabric. Yes to the belt, remove buckle.

Warm water. Soak cycle, if you have it. Non-bleach whitener such as Oxyclean powder with your detergent or detergent with Oxyclean already in it. Wash them with just themselves - that will lead to fewer wrinkles. If you do throw in your white cotton skivvies and other white stuff, when the cycle is done, get uniform items out first and into the dryer by themselves, otherwise heavier cotton items will slow them down and over dry the uniform items. Pull out belt and let air dry. No need to scuff the metal in the dryer.

Do not use regular bleach. It will eventually yellow polyester material.

Don’t let them sit in the washer when done. Pull them out and let them dry on low or medium heat. Pull out as soon as they are done and hang up.

Don’t forget to clean your combo cover and shoes. Arm & Hammer baking soda toothpaste with peroxide is an excellent spot cleaner. Be sure you get the all-white paste and not a colored gel. Moisten an old toothbrush or bit of towel, dab some A&H on there, gently scrub scuffs and dark dirt from cover and shoes. It won’t take the place of an inspection polish on your white shoes, but they will be cleaner. Pull out your shoe laces, give them a light A&H treatment, because they get dirty too.

This is also a good time to test buttons on your shirt for any ready to escape their tether. Washers and Dryers know how to spot shirts you need to wear the next day and munch on and lose loose buttons you have ignored. I know this to be true.

DW used a combo of baking soda and Dawn with toothbrush on a pair of summer white trousers with a stain the Brigade could not get out. She got it out!

Oxyclean is now bought in large boxes at our house.

 

[Capt MJ]

DW used a combo of baking soda and Dawn with toothbrush on a pair of summer white trousers with a stain the Brigade could not get out. She got it out!

Oxyclean is now bought in large boxes at our house.

Straight baking soda is always an effective mild abrasive and gentle whitener, but a little more awkward to have handy in a military setting. Hence the Arm & Hammer baking soda and peroxide toothpaste. I always figured if it wouldn’t harm my teeth, why not give it a try on the mysterious dark scuffs on white leather shoes and vinyl combo covers. It’s magic - and you give off a nice minty scent.

 

[Huursoldaat]

I bought my MID a tube of the Arm and Hammer last night! I'll be sending it along soon. Great suggestion. For those of at home with more space here are my notes about stain cleaning:

From the Earth

• Coffee, Tea, Red Wine, Cola, etc
• Equal parts water, vinegar, detergent

Protein based stains

• Sweat, blood, etc
• Equal parts water, ammonia, hydrogen peroxide, detergent (about 1 tsp each does a collar and 2 cuffs)

Grease, Oil based stains

• 1 oz degreaser
• 1 oz water
• Can use acetone to make it stronger