Stain Removal Tips | Fabric Care Products | Laundary Tips | Care Labelling

Fabric stains can ruin a cloth if no action is taken immediately. You can now remove those stubborn stains with a few a few general rules used for stain removal. It is important to always read and follow the general care instructions and any warnings on the garment label and follow them while removing a stain.


Stains from fruits and fruit juices

Launder with detergent in hottest water safe for the fabric. Do not use soap (bar, flake, or detergents containing natural soap), since soap could make stain permanent or at least more difficult to remove. Soak tough stains for 30 minutes in 1 quart of warm water and 1 teaspoon of enzyme presoak product. To remove old or set stains may require washing with bleach that is safe for the fabric. If all the sugars are not removed a brown stain will appear when the fabric is heated in the dryer or is ironed, as the sugar is carmelized.

Paint stains(water based)
It is important to note that it may not be possible to remove paint that has dried.

Act fast, and blot and never rub a stain. Rubbing forces the stain deeper into the fabric. Soak in cold water. Saturate the area with an aerosol pretreatment laundry stain remover. Wait a couple of minutes to allow it to penetrate. Rub with a heavy duty liquid laundry detergent and then launder immediately in hottest water safe for the fabric. If the color still remains, launder in chlorine bleach if it is safe for the fabric or in oxygen bleach (Always read and follow the care instructions on the garment label with respect to the use of bleach, and check for color fastness. Bleach should not be used on items containing spandex).

Ink (permanent) stains
Inks are almost impossible to remove. Always read and follow the care instructions and any warnings on the garment label. And, follow these general

To have any chance you need to treat immediately. The first step is to force water through the stain before it dries to remove excess ink. Allow to dry. Sponge the stain with dry cleaning solvent (read and follow the directions carefully, it is toxic). Allow the fabric to dry. Rub a liquid detergent into the stain. Rinse. Soak the stain in warm water to which 1 to 4 tablespoons of household ammonia have been added. Rinse and repeat if stain is lessoning. Launder. Some inks on white fabric may be removed with a dye stripper. Follow package insturctions. For stains on colored fabrics, check for dye fastness in a hidden are before using. Also, be aware that these products will affect all colors on the fabric.

Perspiration stains
Perspiration, if allowed to stay in fabric, will eventually stain and weaken the fabric. Aluminum chlorides in antiperspirants will also weaken the fabric under the arms. Controlled use of antiperspirants and frequent washings immediately after wear can minimize this type of damage. Wearing an undershirt or perspiration pads, can also keep stains off your shirts or blouses. Also, consider experimenting with different anti-perspirants/deodorants.
These types of stains can be difficult to remove. And, the build-up of aluminum chloride or zinc salts may be impossible to remove. Old stains are more difficult to treat because they have been set, particularly from being heated in the dryer. Always read and follow the care instructions and any warnings on the garment label. And, follow these General Rules for stain removal.

Rub light stains with a liquid detergent and then launder. Pretreat heavy stains with a prewash stain remover. Allow to stand 5 to 10 minutes. Launder using an all-fabric bleach. If fabric has discolored, you might try treating fresh stains with ammonia and old stains with WHITE vinegar.

Rust stain
Removing rust stains can be difficult. Rust stains cannot be removed in normal laundering. Do not use chlorine bleach, chlorine bleach will make the stains permanent. Always read and follow the care instructions and any warnings on the garment label. You can follow these general tips for stain removal.

Small stains may be removed with a few drops of a commercial rust remover, or by repeated applications of lemon juice and salt on the stain. Do not let dry between applications. Rinse thoroughly and launder with a liquid laundry detergent and oxygen bleach, following directions. If safe for fabric, boil in solution of 4 teaspoons of cream of tartar per pint of water. Rinse thoroughly. Severe rust staining may be removed with a commercial rust remover, such as RoVer or Whink. Follow package instructions. But rust removers that contain hydrofluoric acid are extremely toxic, can burn the skin, and will damage the porclain finish on appliances and sinks.

Oil stains
Butter, Cooking Oils/Fats, Margarine, Mayonnaise, Vegetable Oil - Always read and follow the care instructions and any warnings on the garment label. And, follow these General Rules for stain removal.

Treat light stains with a pretreatment spray stain remover and wait a couple minutes for it to penetrate. Rub with a heavy-duty liquid laundry detergent. Launder If color stain remains, launder with chlorine bleach if safe for the fabric, or use an all-fabric bleach. Always test for colorfastness before using bleach. Place heavy stains face down on clean paper towels. Apply dry cleaning fluid to the back of stain. Replace towels frequently. (Carefully read and follow instructions on the product package.) Let air dry; rinse. Launder in hottest water safe for the fabric.

Coffee & Tea stains
Always read and follow the care instructions and any warnings on the garment label. And, follow these General Rules for stain removal.

Saturate the stain with a pretreatment stain remover. Rub the stain with a heavy-duty liquid detergent and launder in hottest water safe for the fabric. Do not use soap (bar, flake, or detergents containing natural soap), since soap could make stain permanent or at least more difficult to remove. If stain remains launder with bleach safe for the fabric.

Stain Removal Tips | Fabric Care Products | Laundary Tips | Care Labelling