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Removing Stains
Stained, heavily soiled, or greasy items may need to be prewashed or soaked for best
results. Soaking helps remove protein-type stains like blood, milk, or grass. Prewashing helps
loosen soil before washing.
Stain removal rules
•
Use warm water for soaking or prewashing
stained laundry. Hot water can set stains.
•
Most stains are easier to remove when
they are fresh. Old or set stains may not
come out. Follow package directions for
pretreatment products.
•
Before treating any stain, find out what
kind of stain it is, how old the stain is, what
kind of fabric it is, and if the fabric is
colorfast. (Check the care label.)
•
Washing and drying can set some stains.
•
Start with cold or warm water. Hot water
can set some stains.
Stain removal guide
STAIN
TO REMOVE
Alcoholic
These stains turn brown with age, so treat immediately. Sponge or soak
beverage
fresh stains with cold water. Wash. If stain remains, soak 15 minutes in a
solution of lukewarm water, liquid detergent, and a few drops of white
vinegar. Rinse. Wash.
Blood
Rinse immediately or soak in cold water with enzyme presoak for 30
minutes or longer. Rinse. Rub detergent into any remaining stains. Rinse.
If stain remains, put a few drops of 3% hydrogen peroxide on stain for 3-5
minutes. Rinse thoroughly. Wash.
Chewing
Use ice to make gum hard. Scrape off what you can. Sponge with a
gum
nonflammable fabric cleaner. Let dry. Wash.
Chocolate
Sponge immediately with a nonflammable fabric cleaner or apply a prewash
or coffee
soil and stain remover. Rinse. Wash. If stain remains, apply a liquid deter-
gent to stain or soak in warm water with an enzyme presoak. Rewash.
Crayon and
Scrape off excess with a dull knife. Place fabric between two blotters or
candle wax
facial tissue. Press with warm iron. Remove color stain with nonflammable
fabric cleaner. Hand wash until stain is gone. If full load is crayon stained,
take to cleaners or coin-operated dry cleaning machine.
Cream,
Sponge with a nonflammable fabric cleaner, or a prewash soil and stain
milk, or
remover. Rinse. Wash. Repeat if necessary. If stain remains, apply a few
ice cream
drops of liquid detergent and a few drops of ammonia. Blot dry and rinse.
If stain remains, soak in an enzyme presoak. Wash.
18
•
When bleach is recommended, use a
bleach that is safe for the fabric.
•
Test stain removers on an inside seam or
hidden corner of the item to see if the color
is removed.
•
Put the stained area face down on a paper
towel or white cloth. Apply the stain
remover to the back of the stain. This
forces the stain off the fabric instead of
through it.
•
Meat tenderizer or enzyme presoaks help
break down some protein stains so they
are easier to remove.
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