Stain removal guide for the holiday season
It’s that time of year again where we’re holding parties and celebrating holidays with those close to us. With all the festivities taking place, it’s nearly impossible to avoid at least some chaos and mess.
I’m especially good at making a mess when it comes to food. Not on purpose, of course, but it doesn’t matter if I’m eating or cooking - it’s just a matter of time before some of it ends up on myself or the floor.
I can’t be the only messy one, so I thought it might be helpful to share some tips for stain removal from washable fabrics. These tips are adapted from the University of Illinois Extension Stain Solutions website.
The following tips are for washable fabrics. If you need to know how to remove stains from carpet or upholstery, or you don’t see the stain you’re trying to remove listed, check out web.extension.illinois.edu/stain for more tips.
Give these stain removal methods a shot
Drinks. Many drink stains can be cleaned the same way. This includes coffee, soda, fruit juice and alcoholic beverages, even wine. First, soak the fabric for 15 minutes in a mixture of one-quart lukewarm water, 1/2 teaspoon liquid hand dishwashing detergent and 1 tablespoon white vinegar, then rinse the fabric.
If the stain persists, sponge with rubbing alcohol using light motions from center to edge of stain. Next, soak for 30 minutes in one-quart warm water with 1 tablespoon enzyme presoak products. If the stain remains, launder in oxygen bleach.
Foods. Many food stains also can be cleaned using a similar method. For example, products like margarine, salad dressings, cream soups, gravy and tomato-based products can be cleaned using these steps.
First, saturate the stained area with pretreatment laundry stain remover (aerosol types work better on greasy stains). Wait one minute for the product to penetrate the stain. For stubborn stains, rub with heavy-duty liquid detergent and launder immediately. If the stain remains, soak and launder in oxygen bleach.
Having cheese or a cheese sauce this holiday season?
Remove these stains by pretreating the stain with heavy-duty liquid detergent, then rinse. Soak the fabric in oxygen bleach. If the stain persists and the fabric is white or colorfast, soak the entire item in a diluted solution of liquid chlorine bleach and water, then launder.
Warning! Chlorine bleach may change the color of the garment or cause irreversible damage. Check for bleach tolerance on a hidden seam. If the stain does not come out in 15 minutes of bleaching, it cannot be removed by bleaching. Also, don’t exceed 160 degrees water with any synthetic fabrics.
Cosmetic products. When you’re trying to smell nice for the holidays you may find these products can stain clothes. Try these tips if you notice your antiperspirant, deodorant, cologne or perfume has stained your clothes.
For antiperspirants and deodorants, scrape off excess material. Soak fabric for 15 minutes in a mixture of 1 quart lukewarm water, 1/2 teaspoon liquid hand dishwashing detergent and 1 tablespoon white vinegar, then rinse. If the stain persists, sponge with rubbing alcohol using light motions from the center to the edge of the stain.
Soak for 30 minutes in 1 quart warm water with 1 tablespoon enzyme presoak product. If stain remains, launder in oxygen bleach.
A few notes to keep in mind
Synthetic fabrics include acetate, acrylic, polyester, nylon, olefin and anything labeled static-resistant, wrinkle-resistant, permanent-press, no-iron or stain-proof. Always check the fabric label before laundering.
When cleaning with chlorine bleach or other products that may change the fabric color or cause irreversible damage, first check for a reaction between the product and fabric on a hidden seam.
There’s a big difference between chlorine and oxygen bleach. Chlorine bleach can damage or discolor some fabrics, so check labels to determine if a fabric can be safely bleached. Oxygen bleach is less damaging to colors and fabrics
Look for labels on packaging that indicate the oxygen bleach is safe for all fabrics. Always treat a stain as soon as possible.
Allowing a stain to sit will make it more difficult to remove. Do not dry clothing or other washable items until the stain you’re trying to remove is gone. Heat from the dryer will set the stain making it impossible to remove.
Wishing everyone a safe and enjoyable holiday season!
Sara Meeks is an OSU Extension Family & Consumer Sciences Program Assistant and may be reached at 330-264- 8722.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Tips for getting nasty stains out of clothing
