23
REMOVING STAINS
Stain removal rules
• Use warm water for soaking or prewashing stained laundry. Hot water can set stains.
• Most stains are easier to remove when they are fresh.
• Before treating any stain, find out what kind of stain it is, how old the stain is, what kind of fabric it is, and whether the fabric is
colorfast. (Check the care label)
• Washing and drying can set some stains.
• Start with cold or warm water. Hot water can set some stains.
• When bleach is recommended, use a bleach that is safe for the fabric.
• Put the stained area face down on a paper towel or white cloth. Apply the stain remover to the back of the stain.
This forces the stain off fabric instead of through it.
Stain removal guide
Stained, heavily-soiled, or greasy items may need to be prewashed or soaked for best results.
Soaking helps remove protein-type stains like blood, milk or grass.
Prewashing helps loosen soil before washing.
STAIN
Blood
Chewing gum
Cocoa, Chocolate
Coffee
Cream/Milk/Ice cream
Deodorant
Egg
Fabric/Softener
Fruit stains
Grass
Grease and oil
Iron or rust
Lipstick
Mildew
Mud
Paint-oil based
Paint-water based
Scorch marks
TO REMOVE
Rinse immediately in COLD water.
If stain remains, soak in cold water with an enzyme prewash.
Use ice in plastic bag to harden the gum.
Scrape off what you can and the sponge with white spirits.
Sponge with COLD water and soak in an enzyme prewash.
If stains persist, rub in a little detergent and rinse in cold water.
Blot up quickly and rinse out in COLD water.
Rub in a little detergent and wash in the maximum temperature allowed for the fabric type.
Rinse in COLD water and wash normally. If stain is still apparent, sponge with white spirits.
Rub affected area with white vinegar and then rinse out in COLD water. Sponge with white
spirits. Treat stiffened areas with enzyme prewash.
Soak in a COLD enzyme prewash, rinse and wash normally.
Rub affected area with bar soap and wash normally.
Treat as soon as possible by sponging with COLD water.
Rub a little detergent on the stain and wash normally.
Sponge with white spirits. Rub in an enzyme prewash and wash as normally.
Lay the affected area face down on an absorbent cloth and work from the back.
Sponge with white spirits or dry cleaning fluid. Wash normally.
Apply lemon juice and salt and place in the sun. Wash normally.
Sponge with white methylated spirits and wash normally.
Wash in WARM water and detergent.
Moisten area with lemon juice, dry in the sun and wash normally.
If stain persists and the fabric allows, use a bleach.
Brush off any dry mud. Rinse in cold water.
If stain persists rub in a little detergent and wash normally.
Scrape off any fresh paint and sponge with a non flammable dry cleaning fluid
and wash normally.
Treat while still wet, rinse in WARM water and wash normally.
Dampen a cloth with hydrogen peroxide, lay it over the affected area and press
with a fairly hot iron.
