Tips for Removing Stains
Try these tips for removing stubborn stains.
Treat any stain as soon as possible. Choose a remover cautiously with regard to the fabric. Test in an inconspicuous place to be sure the color of fabric will not be damaged. Remember, several mild treatments will yield better results than a severe scrubbing. And if you have any doubt whatsoever, consult a professional dry cleaner. Not all fabrics respond well to do-it-yourself stain removal.
- To remove candle wax, first crumble off the excess. Put the stained area between white blotters (many paper towels) and press with a warm iron, changing blotters often. Sponge the area with grease solvent and launder.
- Ketchup, chili sauce and tomato stains should be sponged with cold water and rubbed with glycerin. After 30 minutes, launder the stained area in warm soap. If the stain remains, sponge it with hydrogen peroxide and rinse with cold water. Another proven method to remove tomato-based stains: make a paste of laundry detergent and rub it into the stain. Soak it overnight, then launder.
- To remove red wine stains, cover the stain with salt, then saturate it with water. Or flush the stain first with water and neutralize it with a little white wine. Soak the article overnight if necessary before laundering.
- For alcohol and soft-drink stains, soak the fabric in a mild solution of water and glycerin. The glycerin will soften the stain, making it easier to lift out. Scrub it very gently, and rinse it in a solution of white vinegar and cold water. For beer, simply launder the item in warm soapsuds.
- Stains on leather or suede? Use club soda and an old toothbrush, rubbing the stain back and forth.
- To remove chewing gum, rub the area with ice and scrape off the gum. Scrub with grease solvent, rinse and launder.
- Get mustard out by working glycerin into the stained area. Then work detergent into the stain and launder. If the spot remains, sponge it with rubbing alcohol (use one part alcohol to two parts water on colored or acetate fabrics).
- For chocolate stains on washable fabrics, first scrape off the excess. Wash the item in warm soapsuds and rinse. If the stain persists, sponge it with hydrogen peroxide or a solution of a teaspoon of sodium perborate in one pint of hydrogen peroxide and rinse thoroughly. (Pretest.)
- Meat, juice or egg stains should be sponged off with cold water. Work detergent into the stain and launder, using diluted bleach.
- A lipstick stain will usually respond well to a dab of petroleum jelly. Then wash the item in hot suds. If the stain remains, bleach it with hydrogen peroxide. Do not use soap first, as it may set the stain.
- Coffee or tea stains? If it's safe for the fabric, pour boiling water through the spot. Or soak it in a solution of warm water and bleach and launder.
- Ballpoint ink will usually come out of fabric if it is treated with hair spray and then laundered.