10 Rules For Removing Laundry Stains
Let's face it. Tossing clothes in a washer with some detergent is pretty simple. It's those stains that can really cause the problems. Stain removal is one of the most crucial parts of handling your family's laundry.
But if you master these 10 basic rules, you can feel confident tackling most any type of stain removal from A to Z.
Stain Removal Rule #1: Timing
Take care of stains as soon as possible. Fresh stains are much easier to remove than those over 24 hours old.
However if stains are "set-in", you should still follow the same steps for removal; it may just take longer or repeated treatments.
Stain Removal Rule #2: First Things First
For fresh stains, blot up any excess stain liquid with a clean white cloth, paper towel or even a piece of white bread (great for grease stains!). Remember to keep moving to a clean, dry area of the blotting cloth so as much of the stain is absorbed as possible. Avoid rubbing the stained area with a linty terry towel or a dark-colored cloth. You may make matters worse.
Remove excess solids by gently lifting away or scraping with a dull knife or metal spatula.
With some solids, such as mud, removal may be easier after the stain has dried. Brush off the excess before the garment is submerged for washing.
Create an emergency stain removal kit to keep in your desk or car to treat stains as soon as possible.
Stain Removal Rule #3: Skip The Soap
Your first instinct may be to grab the soap. But, never rub a fresh stain with bar soap. Soap can actually set many stains.
Instead, stick with plain water. Flush the stain from the back side of the fabric to push the stain out of the fibers. And, there is no need to search for club soda. Plain water works just as well and is cheaper!
Stain Removal Rule #4: Check Before Washing
If you do the laundry for the whole family, you know there can be surprises lurking in the hamper. Teach your family to tell you about stains or mark them with a clothespin. Always check garments before washing, many stains need pretreatment.
Quite often, just a bit of heavy duty liquid laundry detergent like Tide, Wisk or Persil worked into the stain and allowed to sit for 10 to 15 minutes before tossing in the washer will do the trick.
Laundry Hamper Rules
Stain Removal Rule #5: Check Again
Stains slip by us all. But it helps to inspect wet laundry before drying. If a stain is still evident, do not place the garment in the dryer. The heat of the dryer makes the stain more permanent.
Same principle applies to ironing - no heat should be added to stained areas.
Get the Best Results from Your Dryer
Ironing 101
Stain Removal Rule #6: This Is A Test
Before starting to work on a fabric stain, test the stain removal agents on a seam or hidden area of the garment to be sure they do not affect the color or finish of the fabric (especially if you've never used them before). This is particularly important on silk and fabrics that may not be colorfast.
After you have tested the product, give it time to work. A quick treatment and straight into the washer probably isn't enough.
Treat the stain and wait at least 10 minutes before washing. This gives the pretreater time to work.
How to Spot Treat Stains
Stain Removal Rule #7: Use A Gentle Touch
Today's products for removing stains are very good so you don't need to scrub most of the time. Avoid excessive rubbing unless the fabric is tough and durable like denim. Rubbing can spread the stain and damage the fabric.
However, gentle to vigorous rubbing under running water helps remove dried food, blood or oil stains from shirts or jean-weight fabrics made of cotton or cotton blends. Always work from the wrong side of the fabric so that the stain is flushed away from the fibers.
Stain Removal Rule #8: Separate and Conquer
To get the best results, wash heavily stained items separately. This means really dirty work clothes or muddy children's play clothes should not be washed with your best things. Plus knowing how to sort clothes for laundry loads will prevent dye transfer stains!
Soil and stains can be redeposited on cleaner clothing during laundering if too little detergent is used, water temperature is too low, washing time is too long or the washer is overloaded.
Stain Removal Rule #10: Time For The Hot Water
When tackling a stains, always start with cold water especially on stains of unknown origin. Hot water can set protein stains like milk, egg or blood , cooking the protein into the fibers.
Always read product labels and clothing care labels before taking action. Use the water temperature recommended on stain removal products and detergents.
Hot water should be between 120 and 140 degrees F, warm water between 85 and 105 degrees F and cold water between 65 and 75 degrees F. Water below 60 degrees is too cold for many detergents to be helpful in removing oily stains.
Let's face it. Tossing clothes in a washer with some detergent is pretty simple. It's those stains that can really cause the problems. Stain removal is one of the most crucial parts of handling your family's laundry.
But if you master these 10 basic rules, you can feel confident tackling most any type of stain removal from A to Z.
Stain Removal Rule #1: Timing
Take care of stains as soon as possible. Fresh stains are much easier to remove than those over 24 hours old.
However if stains are "set-in", you should still follow the same steps for removal; it may just take longer or repeated treatments.
Stain Removal Rule #2: First Things First
For fresh stains, blot up any excess stain liquid with a clean white cloth, paper towel or even a piece of white bread (great for grease stains!). Remember to keep moving to a clean, dry area of the blotting cloth so as much of the stain is absorbed as possible. Avoid rubbing the stained area with a linty terry towel or a dark-colored cloth. You may make matters worse.
Remove excess solids by gently lifting away or scraping with a dull knife or metal spatula.
With some solids, such as mud, removal may be easier after the stain has dried. Brush off the excess before the garment is submerged for washing.
Create an emergency stain removal kit to keep in your desk or car to treat stains as soon as possible.
Stain Removal Rule #3: Skip The Soap
Your first instinct may be to grab the soap. But, never rub a fresh stain with bar soap. Soap can actually set many stains.
Instead, stick with plain water. Flush the stain from the back side of the fabric to push the stain out of the fibers. And, there is no need to search for club soda. Plain water works just as well and is cheaper!
Stain Removal Rule #4: Check Before Washing
If you do the laundry for the whole family, you know there can be surprises lurking in the hamper. Teach your family to tell you about stains or mark them with a clothespin. Always check garments before washing, many stains need pretreatment.
Quite often, just a bit of heavy duty liquid laundry detergent like Tide, Wisk or Persil worked into the stain and allowed to sit for 10 to 15 minutes before tossing in the washer will do the trick.
Laundry Hamper Rules
Stain Removal Rule #5: Check Again
Stains slip by us all. But it helps to inspect wet laundry before drying. If a stain is still evident, do not place the garment in the dryer. The heat of the dryer makes the stain more permanent.
Same principle applies to ironing - no heat should be added to stained areas.
Get the Best Results from Your Dryer
Ironing 101
Stain Removal Rule #6: This Is A Test
Before starting to work on a fabric stain, test the stain removal agents on a seam or hidden area of the garment to be sure they do not affect the color or finish of the fabric (especially if you've never used them before). This is particularly important on silk and fabrics that may not be colorfast.
After you have tested the product, give it time to work. A quick treatment and straight into the washer probably isn't enough.
Treat the stain and wait at least 10 minutes before washing. This gives the pretreater time to work.
How to Spot Treat Stains
Stain Removal Rule #7: Use A Gentle Touch
Today's products for removing stains are very good so you don't need to scrub most of the time. Avoid excessive rubbing unless the fabric is tough and durable like denim. Rubbing can spread the stain and damage the fabric.
However, gentle to vigorous rubbing under running water helps remove dried food, blood or oil stains from shirts or jean-weight fabrics made of cotton or cotton blends. Always work from the wrong side of the fabric so that the stain is flushed away from the fibers.
Stain Removal Rule #8: Separate and Conquer
To get the best results, wash heavily stained items separately. This means really dirty work clothes or muddy children's play clothes should not be washed with your best things. Plus knowing how to sort clothes for laundry loads will prevent dye transfer stains!
Soil and stains can be redeposited on cleaner clothing during laundering if too little detergent is used, water temperature is too low, washing time is too long or the washer is overloaded.
Stain Removal Rule #10: Time For The Hot Water
When tackling a stains, always start with cold water especially on stains of unknown origin. Hot water can set protein stains like milk, egg or blood , cooking the protein into the fibers.
Always read product labels and clothing care labels before taking action. Use the water temperature recommended on stain removal products and detergents.
Hot water should be between 120 and 140 degrees F, warm water between 85 and 105 degrees F and cold water between 65 and 75 degrees F. Water below 60 degrees is too cold for many detergents to be helpful in removing oily stains.
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