7 Stain Removal Tips
We’ve all been irritated by a stain on a new tablecloth or shirt, but don’t despair—milk, fruit, coffee and other common stains may seem disastrous, but with a bit of know-how they can often be remedied quickly and easily. Not all stains should be treated the same way. As a general rule, the fresher and damper the spot, the easier it will be to remove. And here are some simple tips for various kinds of stain removal.
1. Remove beer stains with a dilute soap solution containing a little ammonia and rinse well with water.
2. Wash bloodstains on clothing immediately in cold water—hot water will cause the protein in the blood to congeal and attach firmly to the fibers. For stubborn stains, moisten the clothing in cold salt water. Dry bloodstains should be soaked in cold water, then treated with salt water or a solution of baking soda. When cleaning delicate fabrics, use a paste of water and potato flour or cornstarch. Test a hidden section of fabric first. If the color is unaffected, spread it on the stain, let it work for a few minutes, rub it off and rinse thoroughly.
3. Gently rinse burn marks on washable fabrics with cold water, sprinkle them with salt and then dry in the sun. Treat burn marks on delicate fabrics carefully with diluted vinegar. However, there is no guarantee that these remedies will work, and you need to be especially careful with these marks because burns will weaken the fabric.
4. Makeup, butter, mayonnaise, cooking oil and engine oil are among the substances that can leave grease stains. Promptly sprinkle them with cornstarch to absorb the grease and brush away the saturated starch. You can also try rubbing off stains using hot water mixed with a little dishwashing liquid to dissolve the grease. For delicate fabrics, place a paper towel on both sides of the stain and iron it. Stains are best removed from wool by rubbing with a little mineral water and a towel.
5. Remove tough lipstick stains by dabbing them with eucalyptus oil, letting it soak in before washing. Boil white table napkins, handkerchiefs or washcloths marked by lipstick stains.
6. Rub tar stains with lard before washing the item. For an extra boost, add 2 tablespoons (30 ml) baking soda to the laundry detergent. Oil, tar and grass stains can also be treated with a few drops of eucalyptus oil.
7. Treat fresh grass stains with ammonia, but first test the sensitivity of the fabric on an inconspicuous spot.