Post-gym, it's not just your body that needs to cleanse away bacteria. Here's what you should be doing with your gym clothes.

When slick shoe soles come in contact with slippery surfaces, like concrete, accidents can happen. Whether it's a pair of new shoes or your favorite, yet worn, tennis shoes, you can can improve sole traction in a few minutes. With a few items, you can recondition the sole and reduce your chances of falling or sliding.

Patent leather has a shiny finish and is a durable material, but it scuffs easily. Black patent leather shoes won’t show scuffs marks as much as light-colored tan shoes. The slightest run in with a curb or rock, and you’ll be left with a mark across your tan patent leather shoes.

Jeans are a staple in many people's closets, and the go-to look on several occasions. However, no matter how much money you spend, jeans seems to wear and tear in the same area first: the thighs.

Even when you're prepared for your period, it sometimes strikes without warning, resulting in embarrassing leaks that stain your underwear and pants. Leakage can also happen when you think you're protected with a tampon or pad. These accidents create extra laundry -- you may even shell out cash for new panties.

Acrylic sweaters can last for years if proper care is taken. They are more durable than thinner alternatives but still require care in order to prevent stretching. Heat can quickly alter the man made fibers of acrylic yarn. Stretching can be avoided by taking precautions when washing acrylic sweaters.

You shouldn't wash your ski clothes the same way you wash regular clothes. Ski clothes are made of specialized materials and have extra pieces that sometimes need special care or can be damaged by washing machines. Washing your ski clothing like regular clothing can cause damage and can nullify their water-resistance.

Holes commonly show up in the armpits of shirts, often appearing soon after the garment is laundered. Although some holes are created by normal wear and tear, antiperspirants and deodorants are usually the culprits.

The fluffy fibers of cotton yarn will shrink and stiffen after a few washes and wearings, but you can soften stiff sweaters and make them wearable again. Drying sweaters on a clothesline or washing them incorrectly will stiffen cotton garments quickly. Even preshrunk cotton sweaters can stiffen over time.

If your fitted baseball cap doesn’t quite fit the bill, you’re going to need to shrink it. A fitted cap has a smooth back and contains your hair nicely, but these caps don’t allow for adjustments for those with heads that are in between sizes. But don’t let your hat become a hassle.

Potty training your child presents a range of frustrations. It can take time to help your little one have success on the toilet. One of the many obstacles you'll have to face is the inevitable series of accidents that occur as your child learns to use the toilet.

A down jacket will keep you warm in the wintertime, but it will undoubtedly get dirty and need to be cleaned. Down jackets are usually pricey, so you want to be careful when cleaning the garment. Although you may think your down jacket needs to be dry cleaned, this isn't necessarily the case.