The Ultimate Guide to Stain Removal – stains that didn’t stand a chance

So don’t sweat the delicious pasta sauce that causes a tomato stain on your shirt or the perfectly cooked steak that makes an oil mark on your trousers because there is a solution. So here are some tips to help get your clothes as good as new.

Before we tackle each stain, there are a few universal guidelines to help:

• Act as fast as possible — Stains become much harder to treat once they set, so be proactive when it comes to stain removal. Work quickly on the stain and if you can’t get access to the right materials or are not in an environment where you can treat the colour, try to complete as many of the stain-removal steps as possible given the situation.
• Remove excess residue — Where possible, use the most appropriate utensil to lift off any leftover residue such as a spoon or a butter knife. Then use an old, clean cloth or tissue to absorb the stain and soak up as much of the mess as possible.
• Dab at the stain, don’t rub — When treating the spot, be sure to firmly blot or dab but do NOT rub, as that may only work it further into the fabric.
• Put something underneath– Place a clean cloth or piece of tissue on the underside of the stain to absorb any remaining mess and prevent it from staining the next layer of fabric.
• Pre-treat – The one thing you can always do to a stain before you launder it is to pre-treat it. Check the step by step method to see when this should be done.
• Check the care label – Always check the care label when you treat your garments for stain removal to protect their integrity and ensure the best possible outcome.

Here are some common stains and how to tackle them:

Oil and grease stains

Because oil and water are not friends, the first thing you need to remember is not to try to wash it away with water. Putting water onto a grease stain without some kind of detergent solution will set the stain instead of helping to lift it.

Step 1

Put a tissue or a clean towel under the stain and ensure that the fabric in the area of the stain is flat and easily accessible. This will stop the stain from transferring onto other layers and helps to absorb the oil.

Step 2

Next, gently dab or blot any excess grease with a tissue or paper towel.

Step 3

Dilute a teaspoon or so of liquid dishwashing detergent such as Sunlight Dishwashing Liquid with a small amount of water and apply the detergent and water solution directly to the stain and gently work the detergent into the fibres.

Step 4

Rinse the garment thoroughly to remove any remaining detergent using cold water.

Step 5 

Use your regular washing method with the hottest water your fabric can withstand. Make sure the stain has been removed completely before hanging the garment to dry. If not, repeat the stain removal process. For a step by step video on how to remove oil stains and other stain removal tips, take a look at Cleanipedia South Africa.

Bloodstains

Whether it’s from a nose bleed, cuts, scrapes or period blood, these stains can happen. But removing blood stains is not difficult with a little bit of patience and the right tools and techniques. The golden rule for how to remove blood stains is: never wash a bloodstain with warm water as this sets the stain.

Step 1

If the stain has dried, use a stiff brush or blunt knife to remove substantial deposits.

Step 2

Rinse the garment in the area of the stain under cold water. For carpets, use a microfibre cloth to dab and thoroughly soak the stain instead.

Step 3

Apply washing up liquid or soap directly onto the stain and work it into the stain. Remember to test a small area first before treating the main stain.

Step 4

Rinse with cold water and repeat if necessary.

Step 5

Wash as per your standard laundry method with your chosen detergent as usual.

Paint stains

Water-based paint is a simple to remove stain because it’s soluble in water. Water-based paints include latex or acrylic paints, so make sure you check the label to find out.

Step 1

Flush the stain with warm water. Flip the fabric, so the underside is facing up. Then use a strong stream of warm water to flush the stain, to wash as much of the paint out away from the garment as you can.

Step 2

Treat the stain with laundry liquid such as OMO auto washing liquid and a little bit of warm water. Test it on a small discreet area of the garment first. Using a sponge or clean cloth, work the lather into the stain and blot until it comes out. You may need to rinse and repeat this process a few times.

Step 3

Try rubbing alcohol for stubborn stains. Simply blot the stain repeatedly with rubbing alcohol. You can use nail polish remover, which is even more robust, but this will damage synthetic fabrics (such as acetate) so be sure to check the garment care tag first.

Step 4

If you have a preferred stain remover, apply this to the stain to be extra sure, and then wash the clothing immediately in the washing machine as usual. Accidents happen, so the best way to deal with spills and stains is armed with a good battle plan.

This Article was provided by NP Digital.