By Staff
Here are some stain removal tips for washable fabrics to help you get off to a stain-free new year. Remember, removal methods may vary depending on the fiber content of the fabric and the type of stain. Be sure to clip and save this chart for later use.
Alcohol Beverages -- Caution: treat immediately, as alcohol may remove fabric dye. Sponge stain promptly with cool water to dilute stain. Soak up to 30 minutes in detergent, weighted with a towel to keep submerged. Launder in hottest water safe for fabric and color. Air-dry and repeat if necessary.
Candle wax -- Scrape off excess wax with the dull side of a table knife. Place stain between paper towels. Press with warm iron from back of fabric. Then, place stain face down on clean paper towels and sponge with a dry-cleaning solvent. Rotate towels as they pick up stain. Sponge back of stained area with a non-flammable dry-cleaning solvent. Let dry. If stain remains, soak in an enzyme pre-soak product or oxygen. Launder as usual.
Candy canes -- To remove colored candy stains, rinse in warm water to dilute stain. Wash in warm to hot water and dry as usual.
Chocolate candy -- Pre-treat with a liquid laundry detergent containing enzymes. Difficult stains may require using bleach safe for the garment.
Coffee, tea or soda pop -- To remove coffee, tea or soda pop, sponge or rinse stain promptly in cold water. Pre-treat with liquid laundry detergent, launder using bleach (chlorine or color-safe) and hottest water safe for fabric.
Fruit -- Rinse in cold water to dilute stain.
Soak up to 30 Minutes in detergent, weighted with a towel to keep submerged. Launder in warm water. Air-dry and repeat if necessary
Gravy -- Scrape off excess with a dull knife if dried. Pre-treat: 1) soak with a laundry product containing enzymes, or, 2) rub with liquid laundry detergent or paste of powder laundry detergent and water. Launder and dry as usual
Grease -- To remove grease or cooking oil, use a dry-cleaning solvent or pre-treat with a laundry product by rubbing into stain until saturated. Wash in warm to hot water. Air-dry and repeat if necessary.
Lipstick -- To remove lipstick, scrape fabric stain with a dull knife. Use a dry-cleaning solvent or pre-treat with a dish detergent or stain treatment. Wash in warm water. Air dry.
Milk or other dairy products -- To remove milk or other dairy products, rinse in cold water to dilute stain. Soak up to 30 minutes with detergent weighted with a towel to keep submerged. Wash in warm to hot water and air-dry.
Perspiration -- Dampen stains with warm water and rub with bar soap. Launder in hot water with chlorine bleach, if necessary. Note: If perspiration has changed the color of a fabric, apply ammonia to fresh stains or vinegar to old stains and rinse. Launder in the hottest water safe for fabric and color.
Tree resin (sap) -- Very difficult to remove. Scrape off excess with dull side of knife. Sponge stain repeatedly with dry-cleaning solvent to remove oily content. Continual spotting with dry-cleaning solvent is necessary to remove all dry residue before continuing treatment. Use a paste of detergent and water on the remaining residue. Rinse. For further removal sponge with ammonia and rinse thoroughly. Dry and repeat if necessary.