STAINS AND HOW TO REMOVE THEM

                         
Stains, stains, stains!

      I wish I could just throw the clothes in the washer without checking each piece of clothing for stains and meticulously applying  special stain removal detergents, etc. etc.... only to find out at the end of the cycle that the stain is still there, or at best a "shadow" of it!
      I have gathered here some of the best tips I know (and could find) to help us all with this persistent problem. Some I have tried, some I have been told they do miracles and some sounded like they would work. Let's try these new 'weapons' in the stain removal fight!

IMPORTANT NOTICE

•  Pre-test all stain-removing solutions on a small area of the garment using a white cloth. If the color bleeds onto the cloth after applying the agent, discontinue use and consider taking your item to a professional cleaner.
• if the stain remains, repeat, but do not dry the garment in the clothes dryer until the stain is gone. Using the dryer on a stain will set the stain and make it permanent!
• Alcohol should not be used on silk or wool. 
• Do not use chlorine bleach on wool, silk or spandex.
• Make sure the stain is gone after washing, but before you place in the dryer or you may set the stain.
• If the stain does not come out after one wash you may need to repeat before placing in the dryer.

Crayons

1. If the crayon is soft, freeze the fabric to harden the crayon, and then scrape off the excess.
2. Place the stain between clean paper towels and press with a warm iron to transfer the stain to the paper towels. Repeat with clean paper towels frequently to absorb more crayon.
3. Pretreat with a prewash stain remover.

4. Launder with bleach that's  appropriate for the fabric.

* Alternatively, you could treat the stain with a stain remover, let it stand for a few minutes, then rinse and wash locally with dishsoap. Continue with regular washing in the washer.

** If the stain is on the wall, I can think of nothing better than those magic eraser sponges that really do work like magic. They can also wipe off ink stains or whatever marks you have on your wall.


Ink

•  Soak the stain in milk for about 7-10 minutes. Rub, rinse        and wash as usual.

or

• Dab the stain with a clean wet sponge until no ink is lifted from stain. Allow the stain to air dry. Spray the stain with hair spray. Allow to dry again and rub it off (using paper towels). Apply  a stain remover and wash fabric as usual. You may have to repeat these steps until the stain is fully removed.

Fruits, Veggies, Juice etc...

Fruit stains will be removed quickly and easily if you get to it right away.

• To pre-treat, create a vinegar solution which is one part vinegar and two parts water and apply it to the stain. Let it sit for 10 minutes and then apply a stain remover and wash in your regular cycle.

or

• Pre-treat the stains with a solution of milk and lemon, if needed rub the stain a little with a sponge.

Removing Berry Stains

• Blot the stain to remove as much liquid as possible, then rinse it in cold water. Rub the stain with a cut lemon or pure lemon juice, let it sit for approx 30 minutes then rinse, and air dry. Use a pre-wash treatment stain remover and then launder as usual..
• You can also pour boiling hot water on a berry stain. It will remove berry stains immediately out of clothing, even the white ones.

Spaghetti, barbecue, or ketchup stains
Pretreat with a white distilled vinegar and water solution. Wash as usual.
Blood Stain Removal

Blood stains can be easily removed by rinsing under plenty of cold water. Then wash as usual.   (NOTE: never use hot or warm water on a blood stain.)

Soap residue that makes black clothes look dull

Use white distilled vinegar in your final rinse.

Perspiration odor and stains on clothing

Spray full-strength white distilled vinegar on underarm and collar areas before tossing them into the washing machine. This applies to stains left by deodorants, too.

Grass Stains

Grass stains are one of the toughest stains to remove. . The quicker you attempt to remove this stain, the more likely it is to come out.

• To remove grass stains from clothing, blot the stain with water, soak the stain with a rubbing alcohol and water mixture, and then launder the clothes as usual.

or

• Pretreat the stain with a paste of powdered laundry detergent (that contains enzymes) mixed with a little water, or with liquid laundry detergent (also containing enzymes).
• Launder in the hottest water the fabric will allow to get out the stain, and either chlorine bleach if the fabric will allow it, or color bleach if not.

Hint: In the alternative, you can pretreat the stain with a laundry prewash stain remover formulated to remove stains caused by grass.

You may also want to soak the stain caused by the grass in a solution of hot water and laundry detergent containing enzymes, for a couple of hours or even overnight for especially stubborn stains.



Chocolate stains

First remove the excess chocolate. But be careful not to spread it on clean parts of the cloth.

• The next step is to rinse with cold water.
• After that rub liquid detergent into the stain and allow it to sit for 5 minutes.
• Then put the clothing in cold water for 15 minutes. Every 3-5 minutes rub the stained spot to loosen it.
• Repeat the process until there are no stains left.

Rust stains

• Remove rust from fabric by laying the clothing on some paper towels face down, squeezing lemon juice over the stain and then laying it out to dry.
• Wash rust stained clothing as usual.

Bubble Gum Removal

Place your clothing into the freezer. Wait 2 or more hours before removing. You can gently scrape off the frozen gum and then wah the stain with dishsoap. Continue with washing it in the washer as usual.

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