How to Remove Stubborn Stains on Clothing
Discover how to effectively remove stubborn stains like tomato sauce, grease, ink, and coffee with the following simple tips.
Stains on clothing and linen can be maddening, but need not be permanent. Even tricky stains like red wine or ink can usually be removed from most fabrics if acted upon rapidly and correctly.
Principles in Stain Removal
•. Act now: Remove stains. quickly to prevent setting.
•. Blot, not rub: Blotting lifts stains up; rubbing pushes stains in and can destroy fabric.
•. Test first: Always test any stain remover on a sight-out area (e.g., a seam) before applying to the whole stain.
Fabric Types and Care
•. Washable fabrics: Includes cotton, denim, polyester, nylon, acrylic, linen, spandex, and burlap — stain removal here is generally simple.
•\tDelicate/nonwashable fibers: Such as silk, wool, rayon, acetate, triacetate, and fiberglass often require special care or professional cleaning.
Always check the care label of the item for the fiber content and washing instructions, especially recommended water temperature.
General Stain Removal Tips
•\tUse cold or lukewarm water for treating stains; hot water has a tendency to set stains.
•\tBefore drying, make sure the stain is completely removed; dryer heat has a tendency to set in stains.
• For « dry clean only, » remove excess stain by blotting and take to professional cleaner as soon as possible, noting type of stain.
Special Stain Treatments
Blood:
• Soak or sponge fresh stains with cold water.
• For set-in stains, use enzyme-based detergent to pretreat before washing.
• For sensitive fabrics, flush out with cold water and add white vinegar.
Chocolate:
• Pretreat with enzyme-based product or stain remover before washing.
• For nonwashables, use diluted vinegar and cold water.
Coffee/Tea:
• Immediately sponge with cold water.
• Bleach wash or pretreat if safe.
• Delicate clothing: use diluted vinegar.
Deodorant:
• Wet cloth or baby wipe rub; rubbing alcohol rub if needed.
• Delicate clothing: dryer sheet or piece of fabric to rub with.
Powdered Cosmetics:
• Pretreat and hot water wash safe for fabric, brush off loose powder.
• Send nonwashables to dry cleaner.
Grass:
• Hot water wash after pre treatment with stain remover.
• Delicate clothing: diluted vinegar to use.
Grease/Oil:
• Work in dish soap, pretreat, and wash hot.
• Nonwashables generally need professional cleaning.
Ink:
• Pretreat with stain remover and wash.
• For heavy ink, sponge with denatured alcohol on paper towels.
• Nonwashables: use a glycerin-detergent-vinegar solution and rinse.
Juice:
• Soak in cold water, apply vinegar, then wash with bleach if safe.
• Nonwashables need dry cleaning.
Lipstick (Oil-Based Makeup):
• Blot with mineral oil, let stand 15 minutes, sponge with ammonia solution (do not use ammonia on silk/wool).
• Silk and wool must be dry cleaned.
Mold:
• Attempt to brush off mold, and then use bleach solution on whites or vinegar on colors, followed by washing.
• Sunlight air dry if possible.
• Stubborn spots: professional cleaning.
Nail Polish:
• Scrape off excess as soon as possible.
• On washable materials, use nail polish remover on the reverse of stain with paper towels under.
• Nonwashables: professional cleaning.
Oil-Based Paint:
• Use thinner specified or turpentine, and then launder.
• Nonwashables: professional cleaning.
Water-Based Paint:
• Rinse immediately in warm water, then launder.
• Nonwashables: wipe with warm water and mild soap.
Sweat:
• On new stains, use ammonia or on old ones, use vinegar, then wash with enzyme detergent or bleach-safe cleaner.
• On whites, apply paste of baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and water.
• Nonwashables: vinegar flush diluted.
Red Wine:
• Blot immediately, sprinkle with salt, pour boiling water over it, and launder.
• For nonwashables, apply diluted vinegar.
Fruit:
• Remove solids and blot immediately.
• Pretreat with detergent or vinegar-baking soda paste, if needed, before washing.
• Nonwashables: dry clean.
Sauces:
• Towel with cold water, apply diluted vinegar, pretreat, and wash.
• Nonwashables: flush with diluted vinegar.
Turmeric:
• Wash immediately with cold water.
• Soak in detergent or diluted bleach (if safe), wash, and air dry in sunlight.
• Nonwashables: flush and dry clean if necessary.
Following these guidelines will make your clothes stain-free and fresh-smelling. Always follow the fabric care label and always test treatments before using.
