How to remove common stains
Life happens, and our clothes, etc. get stained. However, certain types of stains occur more often than others. So, how can you remove these common stains so that your clothes are not ruined? Try the following:
Coffee or tea stains: Ok, when you are in a hurry, and you grab your coffee cup, and run out the door, sometimes you spill on yourself. Sometimes the lid is not on tight, or the cup is too hot, and so it spills, etc. To remove these little stains, use an eyedropper and flush the area with lemon juice or vinegar, as this will remove the color. Treat with stronger bleach after this, if this does not remove all of it. If there is sugar or cream or milk with the coffee stain, use diluted dishwashing soap solution; and wash with an enzyme detergent.
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Grass stains: Kids get grass stains all of the time, from playing, slipping, etc. So, how do you get rid of these stains? Well, treat the stains with a dry solvent, such as mineral spirits or acetone. Do this in a well ventilated room. You will then press the area with cheesecloth, and tamp with a soft bristled brush. Repeat this process and try to remove as much of the pigment as you can. Then, flush the area with isopropyl alcohol and let dry. Treat with an enzyme detergent before laundering.
Grease stains: Whether you are cooking or eating, butter, oil, mayonnaise, grease, tends to splatter, drip or spill, and get on your clothes. However, instead of throwing your clothes away, treat the stains with a dry solvent, such as mineral spirits or acetone. Use an eyedropper to rinse the area with isopropyl alcohol. Dry well, then spray with a diluted dishwashing soap solution on any remaining residue, then soak in an enzyme detergent before laundering.
Mud stains: If you just have a mud stain on your clothes (no grass stains mixed in), then shake off or scrape off any remaining mud, then pretreat the stain with a mixture of diluted dishwashing soap. Let soak. Treat with an enzyme detergent before you wash.
Sweat stains: As gross as it sounds, we all get sweat stains occasionally. So, as soon as you get a sweat stain, take some shampoo and saturate the area. Then wash it as usual. If you have some clothes with old sweat stains on it, then you will need to do a little more work. Start by treating the stain with an enzyme paste. (If you want to make your own, then buy some digestive enzyme tablets at a health food store, grind the up, and add equal parts water to make a paste). Gently rub your paste on your stain. Let sit for about an hour, then launder as usual.
Protein stains (including: blood, egg, milk, vomit, etc.): Protein stains, including baby poop, are among the most difficult stains to remove, and most people do not even try. However, it does not have to be that hard. Simply spray the stain with a dilutered mixture of dishwashing soap. Let sit. Rinse in tepid water. If there is still a stain, then treat the area with an enzyme detergent, and wash.
Tomato based stains: We all have done it, got ketchup, spaghetti sauce, or BBQ sauce on our shirt, so how do you get rid of the stain? First scrape off any leftover sauce, tomato, etc. Then spray the area with a mixture of diluter dishwashing soap. Soak in tepid water. Use an eyedropper of white vinegar to get rid of any more stain. Then treat with an enzyme detergent , and wash. If after laundering the item the color persists, apply several drops of hydrogen peroxide, and let sit before laundering again.
