Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 2: Using oxygen bleach
• Method 2 of 2: Removing specific stains

Various substances can get on clothing and other fabric items and leave behind deep stains, which often cannot be removed before the stain dries and penetrates into the fibers. However, there are proven and effective methods for removing stubborn stains. Most common stains can be removed with oxygen bleach, but there are other non-standard products available. Learn how to remove grass stains with vinegar, ink stains with hairspray, and learn how effective meat softener can be.

Steps

Method 1 of 2: Using oxygen bleach

1. 1 Buy oxygen bleach. There are many different oxygen bleaches available on the market, but perhaps the most popular of these is Vanish.The choice of bleach depends on your preference, but it is still better to buy a powder product that contains sodium percarbonate and sodium carbonate. Other fillers will reduce the effectiveness of the product.
   • ACE, Royal Powder, and Nellie's All-Natural are also good bleach brands.
2. 2 Find a container of the right size. You will need a container that can hold the item you want to remove the stain on and enough water to soak the item in. If the item is small, you can use a sink or bucket for it. For large items like a sheet or a blanket, you'll need to find a clean trash can or a large plastic basin.
   • If a large object is only dirty in one specific area, soak only it.
3. 3 Fill a container with hot water. To prevent the stain from digging deeper into the fibers of the fabric, it is often recommended to use cold water, but oxygen bleaches only work in hot water. For most items, you will need enough water to fully submerge the item.
4. 4 Add oxygen bleach according to package directions. Follow the instructions carefully, as each product has its own concentration. In this case, you will only use the right amount of bleach. Be sure to stir the water as well to dissolve the bleach. The water will become cloudy and slightly grainy.
5. 5 Soak the cloth. The duration of the soak depends on the type of stain and its size. You may need to soak the item for only half an hour. However, it is best to leave the item soaked for 5-6 hours, as this is how long the oxygenated bleach will last. Check the fabric every hour to assess the condition of the stain.
   • Stir the clothing from time to time to dissolve the oxygenated bleach that has settled on the bottom. If the water is cold, add more hot water.
6. 6 Wash the item. If the stain is almost invisible after soaking, wash the item as usual. Add some oxygen bleach to the washing machine to enhance the effect.
   • Always check the stain before drying the item, as drying the stain can penetrate even deeper into the fibers of the fabric.
   • If after soaking and washing, the stain still does not disappear, then either repeat the process again or try another method.

Method 2 of 2: Removing specific stains

1. 1 Remove grass stains with vinegar. Soak the stained area in undiluted white vinegar for half an hour. Depending on the size of the stain and the size of the garment, fill a large bowl or basin with enough vinegar to completely cover the stain and soak the fabric. Then wash the item as usual. If after washing the stain has not disappeared, then in no case dry it, but repeat the process again.
2. 2 Remove ink stains with hairspray. Place a paper towel under the stained area of ​​the item. Spray the stain with a generous amount of hairspray. Blot the stain lightly with another paper towel. A paper towel under the fabric is essential to prevent the stain from seeping further. This may take some time depending on the amount of ink, so spray and blot until the stain is gone.
   • The stain can also be sprayed with a generous amount of hairspray and then simply washed.
3. 3 Remove sweat stains with a crushed acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) tablet and water. Crush three aspirin tablets with the back of a spoon, then pour the powder into half a cup (120 ml) of room temperature water. Soak the stain in the solution for 2-3 hours. Then wash the item as usual.
4. 4 Remove blood stains with hydrogen peroxide or meat softener. If you want to remove protein stains, in particular from blood, then hydrogen peroxide and meat softener, which break down proteins, are perfect for this.Apply peroxide or a 1: 1 mixture of softener and water to the stain and let sit for a couple of minutes.
   • Rinse the stain with water and, if it persists, treat it again with peroxide or meat softener and leave it on for a longer time.
5. 5 Mix baking soda with water. Mix 4 tablespoons (60 g) baking soda with ¼ cup (60 ml) room temperature water to form a paste. Apply a generous amount of the paste to the stain and rub with your fingers or a toothbrush. Leave the paste on for a while to take effect.
6. 6 Remove greasy stains with dish soap. If your job involves cars in one way or another, you probably have oil stains almost every day. Unlike dishwashing detergents, conventional cleaners are not designed to remove oil stains. Place the stained item in a large ziplock bag, fill it with hot water and add copious amounts of dish soap. Shake the bag for a few minutes, then leave the item to soak. Repeat the process if the water becomes too dirty.
7. 7 Try applying WD-40 to oil stains. WD-40 is a multipurpose lubricant available at home improvement stores, hardware stores, and department stores. While the WD-40 will not remove an already planted oil stain, it will “freshen up” it, making it easier to get rid of the stain in other ways.