Removing Stains from Clothing
For washable items which can be laundered, hot water, detergent and chlorine bleach will remove most common stains: including catsup, chocolate, cocoa, coffee, cosmetics, cream, crayon, dye, egg, fruit, grass, grease, mildew, mustard and urine, to name a few.
The first rule in removing stains is treat the spot promptly. If stains are allowed to "set" there is less chance of removing them.
For blood stains which have set, apply hydrogen peroxide. You can get a three percent solution at drug stores. Add a drop of household ammonia to the stain on top of the peroxide. Leave it there. Then, repeat the process until the blood stain fades. Rinse the fabric well and be sure you work in a well ventilated area.
Pre-treat spots and stains such as fresh paint, tar and asphalt on washable fabrics with a dry cleaning solvent or pre-wash product. Some solvents are flammable and others are poisonous. Always observe warnings on product labels. After pre-treating, launder greasy stains with very hot water and a generous amount of detergent.
Don't put the garment in the dryer if the stains remain. The heat of the dryer may set the stains. Instead, repeat the stain removal process.
For stains on fabrics that cannot be washed…
Sponge the stained area lightly with clear water or club soda. Then, blot the area dry. Use a dry cleaning solvent on greasy and oily stains according to the directions on the package. Take valuable non washable items to a reliable dry cleaners. And, be sure to point out the stain to them.
Some of these steps may result in the loss of color, however, that may be what it takes to remove the stain.
- Soak the stain in cold water for at least twenty minutes.
- Work a laundry detergent into the stained area. Let stay for thirty minutes, then rinse.
- Wash the fabric using a chlorine bleach on white or bleachable colored cottons, nylons, acrylics, polyesters or linens use an oxygen bleach on all other fabrics. An oxygen bleach is one that's labeled "all-purpose" or "safe for colors."
If the stain still remains…
Rub a laundry detergent into the stain or treat the area with a special laundry additive designed for pre-soaking according to package directions. Soak the fabric from one hour to as long as over night.
Launder the fabric in hot water using a generous amount of laundry detergent. Set the washer for a full ten-minute wash and allow it to go through the complete cycle. For washable wool and silk articles, and on non-colorfast fabrics, use warm rather than hot water and agitate it only briefly, if at all.
Plan A- If the stain remains…
Sponge it with a dry-cleaning solvent such as Energene, or Carbona. If it's necessary, repeat these steps, rinse thoroughly and launder.
Plan B- If the stain remains…
Soak in a saltwater solution for two or three hours. Rinse the fabric thoroughly and launder. Don't allow metal buttons or zippers to come in contact with the saltwater solution because they may rust or tarnish.
Plan C- If the stain remains…
Treat it with a rust remover product such as "Rover Rust Remover," "Putnom Color Remover," or "Whink Rust Stain Remover." Be sure you follow the manufacturers' directions. Rinse well. Or, moisten the stained area with a solution of one tablespoon of oxalic acid to one cup of warm water. Oxalic acid is available to most drug stores. (CAUTION: oxalic acid is highly poisonous. Use rubber gloves to avoid skin irritation. Mix the solution in a plastic or glass container. Rinse the treated garment thoroughly to avoid fabric damage. Never use oxalic acid in the washer.
Plan D- place oxalic acid crystals on the stain…
Moisten it with hot water and allow it to stand for a few minutes. Then, rinse the fabric thoroughly. Use warm water on wool, silk and non-colorfast fabrics because hot water may affect them someway.
Plan E- If the stain still remains…
If the item can be bleached, mix equal parts of liquid chlorine bleach and water. Apply the solution to the stain with an eye dropper. Large stained areas can be dipped in the solution. Repeat the process if necessary and then launder. CAUTION: liquid chlorine bleach should not be used on non-colorfast items, wool, silk, fiberglass or any garment when the label warns against it. On these fabrics, sprinkle oxygen bleach directly on the stain and dip it briefly into hot water
If the stain remains after you've gone through all the steps just mentioned, most likely, nothing can be done to remove it.
No endorsement is implied or discrimination is intended by the mention of commercial products in these recommendations. There may be other commercial products available that will work equally well to remove stains. Please check labels or ask for such products where cleaning products are sold.
For more information on removing stains from clothing; contact your local County Extension Office.
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