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Removing stains
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 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
STAIN
TO REMOVE
Blood
Rinse immediately in COLD water.
If stain remains, soak in cold water with an enzyme prewash.
Chewing gum
Use ice in plastic bag to harden the gum.
Scrape off what you can and the sponge with white spirits.
Cocoa, Chocolate
Sponge with COLD water and soak in an enzyme prewash.
If stains persist, rub in a little detergent and rinse in cold water.
Coffee
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.
Cream/Milk
Ice cream
Rinse in COLD water and wash normally.
If stain is still apparent, sponge with white spirits.
Deodorant
Rub affected area with white vinegar and then rinse out in COLD water.
Sponge with white spirits. Treat stiffened areas with enzyme prewash.
Egg
Soak in a COLD enzyme prewash, rinse and wash normally.
Fabric/Softener
Rub affected area with bar soap and wash normally.
Fruit stains
Treat as soon as possible by sponging with COLD water.
Rub a little detergent on the stain and wash normally.
Grass
Sponge with white spirits. Rub in an enzyme prewash and wash as normally.
Grease and oil
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.
Iron or rust
Apply lemon juice and salt and place in the sun. Wash normally.
Lipstick
Sponge with white methylated spirits and wash normally.
Mildew
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.
Mud
Brush off any dry mud. Rinse in cold water.
If stain persists rub in a little detergent and wash normally.
Paint-oil based
Scrape off any fresh paint and sponge with a non flammable dry cleaning fluid and wash normally.
Paint-water based
Treat while still wet, rinse in WARM water and wash normally.
Scorch marks
Dampen a cloth with hydrogen peroxide, lay it over the affected area and press
with a fairly hot iron.