Washable
Fabrics
Simple
products - straight from your kitchen cupboard - can often replace
the harsher chemicals of expensive commercial stain-removers.
The type of fabric and age of the stain will affect which treatment
works best, and how quickly. Delayed treatment, hot water, and machine-drying
may set stains permanently. For best results, attack stains when they
are fresh.
As with any laundry product, sometimes it will be necessary to pre-soak
a little longer, or to repeat the treatment before laundering as usual.
Note: Always test stain treatments first, on a hidden part
of the cloth. Do not use water warmer than is recommended by the instructions
on a garment's care label.
Baby Formula
Rub
damp fabric with unseasoned meat tenderizer, let stand 10 minutes,
rinse with cool water.
Bacon Grease
Sprinkle
lightly with baking soda or cornstarch to absorb excess grease,
brush off gently without rubbing, and rinse in the warmest water
safe for the fabric.
If
stain remains, rub with a paste of washing soda and water, let stand
10 minutes, rinse with very warm water; or soak overnight in a strong
solution of washing soda and water, rinse, and launder.
Berries / Fruit Juice
Soak
in milk, as warm as the fabric will allow.
Or
soak in club soda or vinegar, changing the liquid every half hour
until no more colour from the stain is evident in the solution.
If
stain remains, rub with glycerin, let stand 15 minutes, rinse in
lukewarm water.
Blood
Rinse
fresh stains in cold water, rub with soap or with a paste of cornstarch
and water, then rinse in cool water.
For
dried blood, soak in cold salt water for several hours and rinse
in cool water, rub with soap, and rinse again very thoroughly.
If
faint stains remain, bleach by soaking with vinegar and drying in
strong sunlight.
Chocolate
Rub
spot with glycerin, and rinse.
If
stain remains, rub with a paste of washing soda and water.
Coffee / Tea
Soak
in equal parts white vinegar and cool water, leaving overnight if
necessary.
If
cream or coffee whitener leave a greasy mark, rub a paste of washing
soda and water into the stain before laundering as usual.
Deodorant / Antiperspirant
Sponge
fresh stains with vinegar, and launder as soon as possible.
For
older stains, soak overnight in equal parts water and vinegar, then
rub with paste of baking soda and water and let stand 1 hour before
washing.
Dry
white or light-coloured clothing in full sunlight whenever possible.
Glue, White
Scrape
off excess, soak in very warm water to loosen glue before laundering
as usual.
Grass
Soak
in vinegar. The green marks will be removed almost immediately from
some fabrics, but most will need to soak for several hours.
If
stain remains, sponge with a strong solution of rubbing alcohol
and water. Rinse, then scrub with soap and rinse again.
Always
check fabric care instructions before applying any bleaching agent.
Gravy
Sprinkle
baking soda or cornstarch to absorb excess grease, brush off gently
without rubbing, and rinse under running water, as warm as the fabric
care instructions allow.
Rub
with unseasoned meat tenderizer, then rinse.
If
stain remains, rub with paste of baking soda or washing soda and
water, let stand 15 minutes, rinse well with very warm water.
Ink / Newsprint
Soak
in milk. It may take from 30 minutes to overnight, depending on
the type of ink. Note: 'permanent markers' really are permanent.
If
stain remains, rub with glycerin and let stand for 15 to 30 minutes,
then rinse well with warm water.
Ketchup / Tomato Sauce
Rinse
thoroughly under cool running water, then soak in equal parts vinegar
and water, changing the liquid as necessary.
If
stain remains, soak 2 hours in undiluted vinegar, or in warm milk,
then rub with soap and launder as usual.
Lipstick
Rub
with paste of washing soda and water, rinse with warm water.
If
stain remains, rub with glycerin, let stand 1 hour, rinse with very
warm water.
Make-Up
Rub
damp cloth with soap, rinse with lukewarm water.
If
stain remains, soak 15 - 30 minutes in strong solution of washing
soda and warm water, or rub with paste of washing soda and water.
Mold / Mildew
Soak
in vinegar or rub with salt and lemon juice, and hang to dry in
strong sunlight.
Motor Oil / Grease
Soak
in strong solution of washing soda and water, rinse under warm running
water, and repeat as required.
Mustard
Rinse
immediately under cold running water, rub dishwashing liquid (not
soap) into stain, let stand 5 minutes and rinse in cool water.
If
stain remains, rub in glycerin and let stand 30 minutes, rinse with
equal parts white vinegar and cool water.
Some
prepared mustards leave a stubborn stain that will require repeated
treatments, and may require bleaching: use undiluted vinegar and
strong sunlight.
Paint
Wash
spilled latex paint with soap and water immediately, before it dries.
Gently
scrape off dried paint and soak stain in hot vinegar or milk --
not all paints can be removed, but it's worth a try.
Perspiration
Maintain
sports or work clothes with a 15-minute soak in 1/4 to 1/2 cup salt
dissolved in enough water to cover. Launder as usual. Hang clothing
to dry, whenever possible, as a dryer's heat can set and yellow
the stains.
Sponge
fresh stains with equal parts vinegar and water, then launder with
1/4 cup baking soda in the wash water to help freshen heavily-soiled
clothing.
For
older stains, rub with paste of baking soda and water, or salt and
water, and let stand 1 hour before washing as usual.
Rust
Rub
with a paste of salt and lemon juice, let stand 15 minutes, rinse
and repeat.
If
stain remains, soak overnight in undiluted vinegar.
Salad Dressing
Sprinkle
baking soda or cornstarch to absorb excess grease, brush off gently
without rubbing, and rinse under running water, as warm as the fabric
care instructions allow.
If
stain remains, soak in strong solution of washing soda and warm
water, rinse.
Shoe Polish
Work
glycerin into the stain, let stand 15 minutes, rinse with warm water.
If
stain remains, soak in vinegar, rinse, and repeat glycerin treatment
if necessary.
Soy Sauce
Rinse
well with cool water, wash with soap or a paste of washing soda
and water.
If
stain remains, soak in equal parts vinegar and water for 1 hour,
rub with soap.
Spaghetti / BBQ Sauce
Rinse
with cool water, rub with glycerin and a drop of liquid soap, and
rinse again.
Or
soak in equal parts vinegar and water, then rinse in cool water.
Urine
Soak
in club soda, in equal parts vinegar and water, or in warm milk.
If
stain remains, rub wet fabric with unseasoned meat tenderizer, then
rinse.
Wax
Scrape
off as much wax as possible. Then spread sturdy, unshrinkable fabric
over a bowl and carefully pour boiling water on the stained area.
Or sandwich a more delicate fabric between layers of paper towel
or brown paper bag, and press it carefully with a warm iron. Keep
pressing fresh paper against the fabric, until all the melted wax
is absorbed.
Follow
wax removal by rubbing with paste of washing soda and very warm
water to remove any greasy stain left behind.
To
bleach out coloured stains, soak in white vinegar and dry in strong
sunlight.
Wine
For
fresh spills, absorb excess liquid with a clean cloth and immediately
sponge with club soda, if available; otherwise use cold water or
vinegar.
Or
spread salt over the wet stain, let stand 15 minutes, then scrape
off and rinse.
If
stain remains, soak in warm milk or vinegar for 1 hour, longer if
necessary.
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