Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Pre-treat to prevent sticking
• Method 2 of 3: Choosing the right stain remover
• Method 3 of 3: Apply the stain remover
• Warnings

If it's never happened to you that a favorite piece of clothing has been ruined by a stain, consider yourself lucky. Stains can make an expensive item of clothing retire early if you don't know how to deal with them properly. If you've been unlucky enough to stain a piece of clothing, there are a few important ways to turn around your bad luck. The following steps will give you the chance to tackle clothing stains and keep your clothes spotless.

To step

Method 1 of 3: Pre-treat to prevent sticking

1. Study the labels. The labels will often provide useful information on how to remove stains from a particular item of clothing. In addition, the information on the label will protect you from mishandling or damaging your garment due to incorrect washing techniques.
2. Treat the stain with water. Before you start washing, always let the clothes soak and keep the stain wet using cold water. This will prevent the stain from drying and thereby "setting" and making it more difficult to remove.
   • If possible, keep the stain completely submerged in water.
   • If it is impossible to submerge the stain, drip it wet with water. Never rub, rubbing the stain can spread it on the fabric, leaving an even bigger stain than you already had.
3. Avoid contact with heat. For most stains, heat will accelerate the stain setting. Therefore, avoid placing the stained material near heat sources or in direct sunlight, and only use cold water and solutions when handling it.
4. Avoid pressure. Do not press or rub the fabric vigorously. You want to avoid kicking the stain deeper into the fabric, below surface level.

Method 2 of 3: Choosing the right stain remover

1. Determine the type of textile. The type of fabric the stain is on will determine the type of solvent needed to remove the stain. Labels on the garment will usually indicate what type of fabric it is and the correct washing methods, but proceed differently based on the type of fabric it appears.
2. Remove stains from cotton. The best solvents for cotton are commercial detergents (such as Biotex) and mild acids (vinegar). While bleach is safe to use on white cotton fabrics, it is very sharp and can damage clothes.
3. Remove stains from wool. Wool can be soaked, but only if you lay it flat, as it is prone to stretching and warping. Make sure you only use wool-safe detergents; acids or bleach can ruin wool. Take the wool garment to the dry cleaner for professional stain removal as soon as possible.
4. Remove stains from synthetic fabrics. Synthetic fabrics are garments made from fibers such as acrylic, nylon, olefin, polyester and others. To be safe, it is best to use standard detergents with these fabrics, unless stated otherwise on the label. Do not try home remedies as they can dissolve and damage the plastics used in these types of fabrics.
5. Remove stains from silk. Silk is a very difficult fabric to remove stains from and should be handled with excessive care. Soaking silk in cold water can prevent the stain from setting, but avoid spot cleaning on silk. If individual water spots dry, they can cause permanent discoloration.
6. Use water. Water is safe to use with almost any type of fabric, but it's especially helpful to keep it from setting. It can reasonably reduce the effect of paint stains (hair dye, lipstick, etc.), but takes a long soaking time to take effect on fats or oils. You will likely need a stronger detergent than just water for most stain removers.
7. Use salt. Salt can be effective when sprinkled on a stain to pull the stain out. This can be effective on a variety of stains including blood, red wine and others.
8. Use hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide can be useful for reducing pigmentation spots, such as those from lipstick and grass. However, it doesn't work very well on fat.
9. Use bleach. Chlorine bleach is only safe to use on white fabrics, and generally only on cotton.
10. Use detergent. Detergent is very effective against most stains, especially grease and oil stains, such as those from food. In addition, detergent is safe to use on most textiles, but still check the label of the stained clothing and the type of detergent you use.
11. Use mild acids. Mild acids are great for removing glue and tape glues, as well as light stains from coffee, tea and grass.
12. Use glycerine. Use glycerine on ink stains and paint stains. Glycerine stains fabrics and is often found in commercial "stain sticks".
13. Use turpentine. White spirit is best for use on grease stains such as tar, paint, asphalt and machine grease. White spirit can only be used on strong fabrics.
14. Use enzyme cleaners. Enzyme cleaners are commonly found in commercial cleaning products, safe for use with inorganic fibers such as cotton. These cleaning products are widely used for removing organic stains such as blood, sweat, egg yolks, urine, etc.

Method 3 of 3: Apply the stain remover

1. Apply an absorbent. Applying an absorbent, such as salt, can take the stain out of your clothes. Place salt, baking soda, talcum powder, or cornstarch on top of the stained area and leave it there for 15 minutes. Then remove and rinse.
2. Apply the solvent. Turn your stained garment inside out so the stain is turned away from you. Then apply your chosen stain remover to the back of the stain. The solvent will soak it and push the stain to the surface of the fabric.
3. Place the garment on a paper towel. Place the stained side of the fabric on a flat paper towel. This allows the solvent to push the stain out of the fabric onto another absorbent surface. The substance causing the stain will then be able to leave the fabric.
4. Let the garment rest. For your solvent to work, leave the garment face down on the paper towel for an hour. But, leave the dust not dry or the stain will set, wiping out all your efforts.
5. Rinse the garment. After you have completed all the previous steps, put your garment directly in the washing machine or wash it thoroughly by hand. This will completely rinse all solvent and stain from the garment, leaving you with an unstained garment.

Warnings

• Remember, never wash or dry your garment until you are tried have to get the stain out.