How many times has it happened; you wear your favorite pair of white jeans and every stain imaginable seems to land squarely in your lap, or while taking your child to a school play, you notice a fruit juice stain on their outfit. We have all been there, and most of us either rush to the restroom, dab water on it, and try to dry it using the hand dryer, or we grab a moistened hand wipe and try to scrub it off.
It is a natural instinct, albeit a futile one. The water causes the stain to bleed and when it dries, you end up with a stain that now has a glaring line of demarcation around it. To make matters worse, the heat from the hand dryer probably caused the stain to set into the fabric. Don’t throw in the towel, and relegate your favorite clothing into the yard-work pile. Using the proper ingredients and techniques can safely remove most stains from washable fabrics; however, there are some rules and limitations.
Always take non-washable garments, or those labeled dry-clean only to a dry cleaners for proper care. It costs very little compared to ruining the fabric in the process of trying to remove the stain yourself. Act quickly, before stains set into the fabric. Once a stain sets in, it can be practically impossible to remove. Always blot; never rub fabrics. Rubbing causes the fibers to weaken, not to mention it can mat fibers and create pilling. Work from the outside in to avoid spreading the stain, or you can end up with a bigger stain than you started with. Always test stain-removal techniques on a hidden area of the garment. The last thing you want is to cause the dyes to bleed. Never launder or dry a stained garment before pre-treating it. The stain will set in to the fabric, effectively creating a very expensive dusting cloth.
Be prepared; keep these basic supplies on hand.
Absorbents – (cornstarch, talcum powder, salt) Sprinkle on certain stains, wait 15 minutes, then scrape off before treating.
Detergent – Choose a mild, clear, liquid dishwashing detergent. It is an effective all-purpose cleaner. Apply it straight, wait 5 minutes, then flush or dab with water.
Bleaches - (lemon juice, white vinegar, 3 percent hydrogen peroxide, ammonia) Dilute lemon juice or vinegar with equal parts water. Ammonia should be mixed with 2 parts water to 1 part ammonia; never use on wool or silk. Use a cotton swab to dab the bleach, or place paper towels underneath the fabric. Use an eyedropper to flush the stain with the proper bleach.
Denatured Alcohol - Breaks down certain stains and evaporates without leaving residue.
Mineral Spirits - Use for greasy stains, such as tar and air out clothing after using.
Glycerin - Good for ballpoint ink.
Mixed Solvents - An all-purpose stain remover good for greasy stains. Find it on the laundry aisle of your local market.
Digesting Agent – Contains protein-eating enzymes. Good for grass, blood, and other protein stains. Found on the laundry aisle of your local market.
Cloths – Clean, soft ones for dabbing.
Spray Bottles - Various sizes for holding treatment solutions. Do not forget to pick up a few travel sizes for when you are away from home.
Eyedropper – For flushing stains
Once you have the proper tools, you will be able to remove almost any type of stain. However, keep in mind that it is better to choose dry cleaning for certain stains, especially those on delicate fabrics such as silk, or wool. With that said, here are some guidelines for treating some of the most common stains.
Grease – Remove grease stains with a mixed solvent, and then follow up with mineral spirits if necessary.
Proteins – (blood, grass, or eggs) Soak in a mixture of cold water and detergent. After soaking, flush with white vinegar or hydrogen peroxide.
Fruit and Vegetables - Start with denatured alcohol, and then flush with white vinegar. Finish by using dish detergent to remove any residue.
Lipstick – Apply a mixed solvent, and then flush with white vinegar or mild bleach.
Red Wine - Act quickly before stains have a chance to set in. Dab on denatured alcohol, then flush with white vinegar. For sturdy fabrics, coat areas liberally with table salt. Once it turns to a pinkish color, lay the garment over a sink or a bowl, and pour hot water through the fabric from above. If the stain is still visible, seek the services of a dry cleaner.
White Wine - Flush with cold water and launder as usual.
Tea - Flush with lemon juice, then follow up with stronger bleach if needed.
Coffee – Flush with white vinegar.
Gum or Wax - Use ice to freeze, or place the garment in the freezer. Once frozen, scrape or crack the stain off. If residue remains, take it to a dry cleaner.
Chocolate – Start with a mixed solvent then follow up with a digesting agent, if necessary. Mustard – Flush with ammonia solution, and then wash using dish detergent.
Mud - Scrape off, and then soak in a solution of warm water and laundry detergent. Follow up with white vinegar or peroxide, if needed.
Ballpoint Ink - Rub glycerin into stain, and let it stand for 20 minutes. Wash with dish detergent. If you are in a pinch, an alternative is to spray with an inexpensive hair spray, and then flush with water.
Felt-Tip Ink – Flush with denatured alcohol, then wash with dish detergent.
Now that you know what to do, there is no need to panic over a stained garment. However, always err on the side of safety and choose dry cleaning rather than treat any garment you are unsure of, including delicates, such as wools, silks, and lace. This stain removal guide will help you take care of your clothes. Given the proper care, they will last longer, and you will save yourself the time and money it takes to replace them.
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