Get Stains out of Clothes

If you have not yet had a stain ruin a favorite article of clothing, consider yourself lucky. Stains can force a prized piece of clothing into early retirement if you do not how to address them properly. If you have had the misfortune to stain a piece of clothing, there are a few key ways to turn around your bad luck. The following steps will allow you to tackle clothing stains, and ensure that your clothing remains pristine.

Steps

Pre-Treating to Prevent Setting

  1. Examine the tags. The labels will often provide useful insight on how to remove stains from a specific article of clothing. Additionally, the information provided on the tag will ensure you do not mishandle or damage your clothing with improper washing technique.
  2. Treat the stain with water. Before you begin washing, always pre-soak the clothing and keep the stain wet using cold water. This will prevent the stain from drying, thereby "setting" and becoming far more difficult to remove.
    • If possible, keep the stained area completely submerged in water.
    • If it is impossible to submerge the stain, blot it with water. Never rub, because rubbing the stain can spread it around the fabric, creating a larger stain than you originally had.
  3. Avoid contact with heat. Heat will speed the setting of most types of stains. Therefore, avoid placing the stained material near any heat sources or in direct sunlight, and use only cold water and solvents when treating it.
  4. Avoid pressure. Don't vigorously press the fabric or scrub forcefully. You want to avoid grinding the stain deeper into the fabric, beyond the surface level.

Selecting the Appropriate Stain Remover

  1. Assess the fabric type. The type of fabric the stain is on will determine the type of solvent needed to remove the stain. Tags on the article of clothing should usually indicate the type of fabric and the correct washing procedures, but otherwise just proceed based on the apparent fabric type.
  2. Remove stains from cotton. The best solvents for cotton are commercial detergents (i.e. Tide) and light acids (vinegar). Although bleach can safely be used on white cotton fabrics, it is very harsh and can damage the clothing.[1]
  3. Remove stains from wool. Wool can be soaked, but only when laid flat, as it is susceptible to stretching and deforming. Care must be taken to use only wool-safe detergents; any acids or bleach can ruin wool. As soon as possible, bring the wool garment to the dry cleaner for professional stain removal.[2]
  4. Remove stains from synthetics. Synthetics include clothing made from fibers such as acrylic, nylon, olefin, polyester, and others. To be safe, use standard laundry detergents with these fabrics, unless otherwise instructed by the label. Do not attempt home remedies, as these can dissolve and destroy the plastics used in these fabrics.[1]
  5. Remove stains from silk. Silk is a very tricky fabric to remove stains from, and must be treated with exceeding care. Soaking silk in cool water can be useful to prevent setting, but be sure to avoid spot cleaning silk. If individual water spots are left to try, these can cause permanent discoloration.
  6. Use water. Water is safe to use on basically every fabric, but is primarily useful just to prevent setting. It can reduce the effect of dye stains (hair dye, lipstick, etc.) a fair amount, but needs a long soaking time to have an effect on greases or oils. You will likely need to use a stronger cleaning remedy than water alone for most stain removal.
  7. Use salt. Salt can be effective when placed on top of a stain, in order to draw the stain out. This can be effective on a variety of stains, including blood, red wine, and others.[3]
  8. Use hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide can be useful to reduce pigment stains, such as those from lipstick and grass. However, it does not work very well on grease.[4]
  9. Use bleach. Chlorine bleach is only safe to use on white fabrics, and generally only on cotton.
  10. Use detergent. Detergent is very effective against most stains, especially on grease and oil stains, such as those from foods. Additionally, detergent is safe for use on most fabrics, but still make sure to double check the label of the stained clothing and the type of detergent you are using.
  11. Use mild acids. Mild acids are great to remove glue and tape stickiness, as well as light stains from coffee, tea, and grass.
  12. Use glycerin. Use glycerin on ink and dye stains. Glycerin draws stains out of fabrics, and is often in commercial "stain sticks".
  13. Use mineral spirits. Mineral spirits are best for use on grease stains, such as those from tar, paint, asphalt, and machine grease. Mineral spirits should only be used on hardy fabrics.
  14. Use enzyme cleaners. Enzyme cleaners are commonly found commercial cleaners, safe for use on inorganic fibers such as cotton. These cleaners are mostly used for the removal of organic stains like blood, sweat, egg yolk, urine, etc.[5]

Applying the Stain Remover

  1. Apply an absorbent. Applying an absorbent, such as salt, can coax the stain out of your clothing. Layer salt, baking soda, talcum powder, or cornstarch on top of the stained area, and let it sit for fifteen minutes. Then, remove and rinse.
  2. Apply the solvent. Reverse your stained garment, so that the stain is facing away from you. Then, apply your selected stain remover to the back of the stain. The solvent will soak through and push the stain towards the surface of the fabric.
  3. Lay the garment on a paper towel. Place the stained side of the fabric on a flat paper towel. This allows the solvent to push the stain from the fabric into some other absorbent surface. The substance causing the stain will then be able to leave the fabric.[6]
  4. Let the garment rest. In order to give your solvent time to work, allow the garment to lie face down on the paper towel for about an hour. However, do not let the fabric dry out, or the stain may set, negating of all your previous effort.[6]
  5. Rinse the garment. After you complete all the previous steps, put your garment immediately in the washing machine, or wash it thoroughly by hand. This will allow all the solvent and the stain to rinse clean of the garment, leaving you with an unstained clothing item.

Warnings

  • Remember, never wash and dry the item until you try to get the stain out.

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 http://ohioline.osu.edu/outside/stainrem.html
  2. ↑ http://www.denverfabrics.com/pages/wool/wool-fabric-care.aspx
  3. ↑ http://www.mortonsalt.com/salt-facts/household-tips/cleaning-and-stain-removal
  4. ↑ http://www.rd.com/home/cleaning-organizing/how-to-clean-using-hydrogen-peroxide/
  5. ↑ http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tips/removing_pet_stains_odors.html
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 http://msucares.com/pubs/publications/p1400.pdf
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