Before you start · Blot or rinse out what you can if you discover a stain when you're not at home. Use cold water (unless it's an oil stain, which requires lukewarm water). Sprinkle with an absorbing powder, such as talcum or salt. Treat thoroughly at home. · Always test for colourfastness before a treatment by trying it on a hidden part of the garment. · Apply stain removers and solutions to the back of the stain. This pushes the stain out of the fabric instead of into it. · Never apply heat (from an iron or dryer, for instance) to a stain. It will just set the stain and make it harder to remove. · Blot or scrape before rubbing with cleaning agent. When blotting, start on the outside edge of the stain and work toward the centre, otherwise you'll make the stain bigger. |
Apply spot stain remover (such as Shout or use the Tide Buzz Ultrasonic Stain Remover gadget) and let stand for several minutes. Re-launder with enzyme detergent.
If stain remains, scrub in non-gel toothpaste with a toothbrush and let stand for several minutes. Rinse well with cold water. If stain remains, repeat steps until you see no further improvement. Rub stain with spot stain remover and let stand for several minutes. Then launder with a liquid enzyme detergent.
Agitate stain between your fingers occasionally during soaking. Old stains may need to soak for several hours. If stain is still there, apply spot stain remover and let stand for several minutes. Launder with enzyme detergent. If stain remains, rub with liquid enzyme detergent and soak again. Blot remaining stain with white vinegar or three per cent hydrogen peroxide, rinse well and launder normally. Another trick: after removing dry mud, rub with a cut potato and then launder as usual.
To remove from carpet, sprinkle with salt or baking soda, allow to dry and then vacuum. Repeat until you see no further improvement. Apply carpet spot remover according to product directions.
If stain is dry, rub in glycerin (sold in drugstores). Run a stream of cold water through back of stain to remove as much as possible. Rub in a liquid enzyme detergent and wait several minutes. Rinse and repeat until you see no further improvement. Then apply spot stain remover and wait several minutes. Launder with liquid enzyme detergent. On carpet, remove what you can with a dull knife. Blot with a damp cloth. If stain is still there, apply carpet spot remover.
If stain is still there, apply spot stain remover and let stand for several minutes. Launder with bleach that is safe for fabric.
If garment's colour is affected by remover, use white vinegar instead. Blot continuously, replacing cloth when it is saturated. Rinse well. Repeat until no further improvement. Apply spot stain remover and launder. Let garment dry in sun. On carpet, blot continuously with acetone nail polish remover or white vinegar. Then blot with water. Repeat until no further improvement. If stain is still there, treat with carpet spotter.
The dirty dozen 12: stain-fighting essentials · Salt helps get blood out · Hairspray helps remove ink · A dull knife helps lift chocolate and mustard · Remove old butter stains with WD-40 · Douse a red wine stain with white wine · Rubbing alcohol helps take out grass. And if that doesn't work, try non-gel toothpaste · Ivory soap cleans away cosmetics · Sprinkle baking soda on a mud-stained carpet · Sponge sweat stains with white vinegar · Lemon juice helps remove rust · Goo Gone helps remove gum, crayon and tape |
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