Strange as it may sound, I really love to do laundry.  Over the years, I have developed my own mixture of cleaning aids to make my laundry clean and smell good too, making the chore much better than it would usually be. Here are my tips and tricks, developed from many years of trial and error..

Should you wash new clothes before you wear them? The answer is absolutely yes. There are dyes in new clothes that are not fully absorbed and the dye can get onto your skin, potentially causing an uncomfortable rash. Washing your clothes before you wear them can eliminate this problem by loosening the dye and allowing it to wash out of the fibers.

Washing also eliminates any potential bacteria and insects that can linger on clothes. Folks who may have tried on the garment in the store could leave the item teeming with bacteria and lice. Wash the clothing in soapy hot water to get rid of these pesky creatures.

If your towel fibers are rough and are not absorbing, place them in the washing machine with a cup of vinegar, (no detergent) and put them through a wash cycle. The vinegar helps to set the colors and removes excess detergent that is lingering in the towels, which will make the towels softer. After washing with vinegar, run them through the wash again with baking soda and hot water, and again, no detergent.

Vinegar also works well for a shirt or pants that are very rough and hard to the touch. Soak the shirt or jeans in your sink with just vinegar in it overnight. Then use the vinegar again in the laundry (as above, no detergent) and I promise you will have clothes that are soft and easy to wear.

Every load I do, I put 1/2 cup to 1 cup of vinegar and a small amount of baking soda in with the clothing. Your clothes will not smell of vinegar, I promise. The vinegar gets absorbed in the water and there will be no lingering smell. I use it on sheets and bed blankets as well. If you have animals, this method also reduces any smell that they may leave on your sheets– imagine that!

Those of you with teenage boys might find this helpful: If your towels are still really smelly, just repeat this process and soon you will have fresh smelling towels that smell and feel like new.  

Always, always, hang your clothes to dry on a laundry rack. I know this is an extra step, but it really is important. It will make your clothes last longer, and they will feel and smell so good. It will also eliminate any shrinkage. After they are dry, place them in the dryer for 10 to 15 minutes. I use some lavender oil that I place on a towel and put in in the dryer. This leaves a nice scent on our all our clothes.

After you get done doing all this laundry, I highly suggest finding some time to make this incredible cake. The buttermilk and eggs ensure a moist, mouthwatering cake. The milk drench also makes this cake luscious. The heavy cream and the sweetened condensed milk assure a creamy consistency that makes this dessert filled with delicious taste. The icing is the perfect topping for this cake. The cream cheese, combined with the heavy cream, whips up a delightful frosting. The lime adds a nice tang and the vanilla is savory goodness.

This recipe is courtesy of 425 magazine and will serve 12 people who will love this decadent, luscious treat after finishing the laundry for the day.

Ingredients for Lime Tres Leches Cake:

1/2 cup, plus 2 tablespoons soft butter
1 cup granulated sugar
Zest of 1 lime
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 
5 large eggs, or 4 extra-large eggs 
1 3/4 cup flour, scooped and leveled 
2 teaspoons baking powder 
1/4 cup buttermilk 

For the Milk Drench:

1 cup whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
Juice of 1 lime
1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
Pinch of salt

For the Whipped Cream Cheese Frosting:

8 ounces soft cream cheese
1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
1/2 cup granulated sugar 
Zest one lime 
Pinch of salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Line a 9-by-13 pan with parchment paper that’s been lightly buttered.

Cream butter and sugar, then add lime zest, salt, and vanilla.

With mixer on low, add eggs.

Mix only until eggs are just incorporated, and do not overmix.

Slowly add flour and baking powder in 2 additions by hand.

Gently fold in flour, then add buttermilk.

Spread the batter into your prepared pan, and bake for 22-28 minutes or until just baked.

Do not overbake, or cake will be dry even after the milk is poured over.

When cake is done, use a fork to poke dozens of holes all over the cake.

The more holes, the better opportunity you have to get milk drench into all parts of the sponge.

Make the milk drench:

Add all milk drench ingredients to a bowl and whisk.

Pour the milk drench evenly over the cake.

Allow to sit at room temperature for an hour before frosting.

Make the Frosting:

Whip the softened cream cheese in a stand mixer until light and fluffy on medium to low speed.

Slowly stream in heavy cream, sugar, vanilla, lime zest and slat.

Whip on medium speed until thickened, 4 to 5 minutes.

Frost the cake and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.

Cake is amazing the next day.

It’s that simple!