For dry, caked-on mud, shake the garment outdoors and rub off as much dirt as possible. Then soak in cold water before washing with detergent and warm water.
We’ve all been irritated by a stain on a new tablecloth or shirt, but don’t despair–milk, fruit, coffee and other common stains may seem disastrous, but with a bit of know-how they can often be remedied quickly and easily.
Not all stains should be treated the same way. As a general rule, the fresher and damper the spot, the easier it will be to remove.
• Every stain remover–whether store-bought or homemade–should be tested on an inconspicuous part of the fabric first. If it has no adverse effects on the fabric or color, use it directly on the stain. Dab it on undiluted and wash the garment afterwards.
• Always try the gentlest treatment first before resorting to stronger remedies. Take special care with delicate fabrics–some of these remedies are strong, especially those that use ammonia.
• When removing a stain, work from the outside towards the middle. Avoid using hot water as you risk setting the stain, especially if you don’t know what it is. Blow dry the wet area to avoid leaving an outline.
• Water-soluble stains are the most common. All you’ll need to remove them is tap water, at least when they are fresh. Treat protein-based stains (blood, mayonnaise or egg) with cold water.
• Treat older stains with a mixture of 2 tablespoons (30 ml) water and 3 tablespoons (45 ml) vinegar. Let the mixture dry, then rinse.
• If possible, scrape a dried stain with a spoon or soften it with glycerin before treating it.
For dry, caked-on mud, shake the garment outdoors and rub off as much dirt as possible. Then soak in cold water before washing with detergent and warm water.
Just about any kind of food can stain. The garden and garage are also full of potential hazards.
• Remove beer stains with a dilute soap solution containing a little ammonia and rinse well with water.
• Wash bloodstains on clothing immediately in cold water–hot water will cause the protein in the blood to congeal and attach firmly to the fibers. For stubborn stains, moisten the clothing in cold salt water. Dry bloodstains should be soaked in cold water, then treated with salt water or a solution of baking soda. When cleaning delicate fabrics, use a paste of water and potato flour or cornstarch. Test a hidden section of fabric first. If the color is unaffected, spread it on the stain, let it work for a few minutes, rub it off and rinse thoroughly.
• Gently rinse burn marks on washable fabrics with cold water, sprinkle them with salt and then dry in the sun. Treat burn marks on delicate fabrics carefully with diluted vinegar. However, there is no guarantee that these remedies will work, and you need to be especially careful with these marks because burns will weaken the fabric.
• Makeup, butter, mayonnaise, cooking oil and engine oil are among the substances that can leave grease stains. Promptly sprinkle them with cornstarch to absorb the grease and brush away the saturated starch. You can also try rubbing off stains using hot water mixed with a little dishwashing liquid to dissolve the grease. For delicate fabrics, place a paper towel on both sides of the stain and iron it. Stains are best removed from wool by rubbing with a little mineral water and a towel.
• Remove tough lipstick stains by dabbing them with eucalyptus oil, letting it soak in before washing. Boil white table napkins, handkerchiefs or washcloths marked by lipstick stains.
• Rub tar stains with lard before washing the item. For an extra boost, add 2 tablespoons (30 ml) baking soda to the laundry detergent. Oil, tar and grass stains can also be treated with a few drops of eucalyptus oil.
• Treat fresh grass stains with ammonia, but first test the sensitivity of the fabric on an inconspicuous spot. Alternatively, apply a halved potato to the grass stain to allow the starch to dissolve the stain, then wash as usual. Soak older grass stains on white fabrics in a mixture of one part egg white and one part glycerin before washing.
• Soak coffee and cocoa stains while fresh in cold salt water and wash with a detergent containing enzymes. Dab older stains with glycerin and wash them out or, for upholstery and rugs, pat them dry.
• Remove chewing gum by putting the affected clothing into a plastic bag in the freezer. Once the gum is frozen, it is easier to chip off.
• For clear glue spills, try cologne or oil-free nail polish remover; in other cases, mineral spirits, rubbing alcohol or lighter fluid may do the trick.
• Rinse milk spots with cold water before washing. Dab nonwashable fabrics with cold water, then ammonia and finally with warm water.
• Treat fruit stains while fresh by holding the soiled item over a bowl and pouring a little very hot water on it. Alternatively, soak it in buttermilk and wash as usual. For dried fruit stains, sprinkle with lemon juice and rinse after 30 minutes. If the stain doesn’t come out, try an ammonia solution–2 tablespoons (30 ml) ammonia in 1 quart (1 L) water–or glycerin solution–equal parts glycerin and water.
• Apply lemon juice, vinegar or carbonated water to red wine stains, or presoak the stained item in a biological detergent for 30 minutes before washing.
• For red dye stains from popsicles or maraschino cherries, mix equal parts hydrogen peroxide and cool water in a spray bottle; spray on the stain and leave for 30 minutes. Rinse with equal parts vinegar and water. Peroxide is a bleach, so test a spot first. Repeat the treatment if it doesn’t work the first time.
• Treat sweat stains with a mix of 2 tablespoons (30 ml) vinegar to 3 tablespoons (45 ml) water, or use ammonia solution.
• Scratch off a wax spot, place a paper towel under and over the spot and iron until all excess wax is absorbed. If necessary, replace the paper towel. Remove any remaining stain from colored wax by dabbing it with rubbing alcohol, always working from the outside in.
Universal stain remover
1 cup (250 ml) methylated spirits
1/2 cup (100 ml) ammonia
2 teaspoons (10 ml) lighter fuel
Mix the ingredients together in a sealable bottle and test on an inconspicuous area of fabric before dabbing it on the stain undiluted. Be especially careful with delicate fabrics. Wash the garment afterwards.
Keep out of the reach of children.
