B’s Guide to Stain Removal on Washable Fabrics

Now these are tricks I learned in college that add an extra “Oomph” to stain removal!  NOTE:  If I mention bleach please make sure that if you are washing colors it is color safe bleach!  I used it interchangeably throughout the blog.

Adhesive Tape:  Rub with ice the scrape with a dull knife.  After that, sponge with cleaning fluid and proceed to wash.

Ballpoint Ink:  Soak with hairspray and then rinse, hand scrub with liquid detergent then rinse extremely well.  Another way is to try rubbing it with alcohol, glycerin, or a prewash spray.

Blood:  Soak it in cool water with an enzyme presoak; rub with detergent and then rinse.  You can also try hydrogen peroxide or ammonia solution then wash.

Candle Wax, Paraffin:  Freeze and then scrape, place it between paper towels or tissues and press with a warm iron, then place face down on a paper towel and sponge clean with cleaning fluid or rubbing alcohol and then wash.

Chewing Gum:  Harden with ice and then proceed to scrape with a dull knife.  You can soften it with egg white if necessary, sponge it face down on a paper towel with cleaning fluid then proceed to wash.

Chocolate:  Soak in a club soda or cool water with an enzyme presoak.  After that, sponge the stain with cleaning fluid and later with detergent; launder in hot water.

Coffee, Tea:  Soak with enzyme presoak or oxygen bleach , rub the stain out with detergent and then wash in hot water.

Cosmetics:  Dampen and rub with detergent, follow that up with a rinse then sponge it with cleaning fluid.  Rinse again, and then wash in water as hot as the fabric care permits.

Deodorants:  Scrub with vinegar or alcohol, rinse it then rub with liquid detergent followed by a hot wash.

Fruits and Juices:  Soak with an enzyme presoak then wash the item.  If stain remains, cover it with a paste of oxygen bleach and a few drops of ammonia for 15-20 minutes.  You can also try white vinegar and then wash as hot as possible.

Grass:  Soak in an enzyme presoak, rinse then rub with detergent.  Give it a hot wash with bleach and if stain remains sponge it with alcohol.

Grease/Oil:  Scrape off all excess grease or apply an absorbent powder (talcum or cornstarch) to the fabric and brush off.  Pretreat with a strong detergent, rinse, sponge with cleaning fluid and then wash hot with extra detergent.  These are tough stains, use bleach if safe.

Lipstick:  Moisten with glycerin or a prewash, washing with detergent and bleach if safe.

Mildew:  Rub with lemon juice and then dry in the sun.  After that rub it with detergent and give it a hot wash with bleach.  If stain remains sponge it with hydrogen peroxide.

Mud:  Soak in water with dishwashing detergent and 1 Tbsp. vinegar and then rinse.  Sponge with alcohol and rinse again followed by a soak in and enzyme presoak.  Follow up with bleach if safe.

Paint:  DO NOT let paint dry, sponge oil-based types with turpentine or paint thinner and then rub with a bar of soap then launder.  Saturate water-based (latex) paints with water and soap (or detergent) immediately then launder.

Peanut Butter:  Saturate with mineral oil to dislodge oil particles from fibers, then blot.  Apply cleaning fluid and blot between absorbent mats and rinse then launder.

Perspiration:  Soak in salt water or enzyme presoak or rub with baking soda paste.  Rinse and rub with detergent, you can apply ammonia to a fresh stain and white vinegar to an old stain.  Rinse, then launder.

Soft Drinks:  Dampen with cool water and rubbing alcohol or an enzyme presoak, launder and use bleach if safe, stain may appear later as a yellow area.

Tomato Products:  Sponge with cold water and then rub down with detergent then launder in hot water with bleach if safe.

Wine: Same as for fruits; sprinkle red wine spill immediately with salt.

Now you can stay fabulous even if you spill!