First you must determine what created the stain. Fortunately we usually know what we have spilled, dripped or dumped on our clothes. If you can read the label of the product that created the stain, it should assist you in narrowing down your cleaning method.
Below is a list of some common stains and their removal tips.
Always try to treat an oil-based stain as soon as it is noticed. The longer
you wait, the longer the oil and stain have to set into the deeper layers and
threads of the fabric.
First lay the stain face up on your workspace and sprinkle liberally with baby
powder. Let the powder sit on the stain overnight if possible. If you can not leave
it sit over night, at least leave it on for several hours. In the morning, shake
off the powder, then with your hand brush the fabric to remove the remaining powder.
If the stain is still very visible re-apply powder and let set another couple of hours.
Again shake off then brush off remaining powder. This will have absorbed the oil from
the fabric.
Now place your spot on an absorbent towel or paper towels with the stain facing up.
Next apply a grease cutting dishwashing liquid directly to the spot with HOT water.
Fingers or an old toothbrush work well on most fabrics to get the suds into the fibers.
The suds will lift any remaining oil from the fabric. Blot with a clean sponge, absorbent
towel or paper towels until all of the stain is removed.
Then wash as usual. After washing check the stain. If it is still visible repeat scrubbing
with the dishwashing detergent. Do not dry in an automatic dryer until the stain is
removed to your satisfaction since drying the garment in an automatic dryer will set the stain.
Protein stains should simply be soaked and then agitated in COLD water. Hot water will cook the stain into the fabric. After rinsing out the stain you can launder normally.
Dye stains are one of the most difficult to remove.
First, soak the stain with a heavy-duty liquid detergent and let set for an hour or
more. Then rinse thoroughly. Second soak the stained garment in a dilute solution of
all-fabric powdered bleach.
If the above steps do not remove the stain you can try soaking the garment in a dilute
solution of liquid chlorine bleach and water if the clothing is white
or light colored.
Warning - bleach damage to colored garments is
irreversible. Since bleaching can alter the color of the garment, bleach the whole garment
and not just a spot. If the stain is not gone in 15 minutes, then it cannot be removed
by bleaching. More bleaching may weaken the fabric.
First, spray or sponge with dry cleaning solvent like perchloroethylene or trichloroethylene,
then rub a heavy-duty liquid detergent into the stained fabric area and rinse thoroughly.
Second, soak the stained garment in a dilute solution of all-fabric powdered bleach.
If the above steps do not remove the stain you can try soaking the garment in a dilute
solution of liquid chlorine bleach and water if the clothing is white
or light colored. See the bleach warning above.
First, rub a heavy-duty liquid detergent into the stain then rinse thoroughly. Second,
soak the stained garment in a dilute solution of all-fabric powdered bleach.
If the above steps do not remove the stain you can try soaking the garment in a dilute
solution of liquid chlorine bleach and water if the clothing is white
or light colored. See the bleach warning above.
Before any spot removal process you should test the product on a non-visible corner of
the garment.
No method is always one hundred percent successful. Success can be thwarted by the length
of time the stain has set, the material and dyes that make up the fabric and the chemicals
of the stain itself.
Additional stain removal information:
How to remove dry erase marker from clothing ,
How to wash out Crayons on clothes ,
How to remove ink from clothes
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