| Removing protein type stains |
| Scrape surface of excess material. Rinse in cold water and soak for 30 minutes in cool water with one-half teaspoon liquid hand washing detergent and one tablespoon ammonia. Rub gently and rinse. For stubborn stain soak in enzyme product for at least 30 minutes or longer. Launder. If stain remains launder with bleach, chlorine or oxygen, depending on fabric. |
| Removing beverage, fruit, personal care products and perfume, mud, syrups |
| Soak for at least 15 minutes in lukewarm water, one-half teaspoon dishwashing detergent and one tablespoon white vinegar. Rinse. For stubborn stains continue by sponging with alcohol, starting from the edge to center. If needed soak for another 30 minutes in one quart warm water and one tablespoon enzyme presoak. If color remains, launder in bleach safe for fabric. |
| Removing greasy stains including adhesive tape and gum |
| Follow each step until stain comes out. Pretreat stain with liquid pretreating product or heavy liquid detergent. Soak in solution of all-fabric bleach. If chlorine bleach is not safe for fabric, use a color remover according to package directions yet be cautioned that all color may be removed. Do not use water hotter than 160 degrees on synthetics. |
| Removing problem stains like dyes, ink and foods |
| Scrape area and if needed use ice to solidify excess material. Saturate area with pretreatment laundry stain remover. Aerosol works better on greasy stains. Wait for product to penetrate and rub with heavy liquid detergent if needed. Launder immediately. For stubborn stains launder in chlorine bleach if safe or oxygen bleach. Continue for heavy stains by applying dry cleaning solvent to back of stain over paper towels. Let dry, rinse and launder. |
| Removing ballpoint ink stains |
| Sponge stain with rubbing alcohol, or spray with pretreatment product or hair spray until wet looking. Rinse thoroughly. Then pretreat stain and launder in hottest water safe for fabric. |
| Removing felt tip ink stains |
| Rub household cleaner into stain. Rinse. Repeat as many times as necessary to remove. Launder in hottest water safe for fabric. Use appropriate bleach. Stain may be permanent. |
| Removing fabric softener stains |
| Leaves splotches which can be removed by rubbing stained area with bar soap and launder as usual. To prevent stains, dilute softener or tear dryer sheets in half. |
| Removing perspiration stains |
| Pretreat with enzyme product. If fabric has discolored, treat fresh stains with ammonia, old stains with white vinegar. |
| Removing rust stains |
| Never use chlorine bleach on rust stain or in water with large amounts of iron. Use a non precipitating water softer, in wash and rinse water. Small stains may be removed by using commercial rust remover or repeated applications of lemon juice and salt. Do not let it dry between applications. Rinse thoroughly and launder with laundry detergent and oxygen bleach. If fabric can tolerate boiling, boil with four teaspoons of cream of tarter per pint of water. Rinse. Never use rust remover containing hydrofluoric acid near or in the washer as it will damage porcelain enamel. |
| Removing yellowing, dinginess, and hard water stains |
| Pretreat any discolored areas. Fill washer with hottest water fabric can tolerate. Add four times the normal amount of laundry detergent and one cup of non precipitating water conditioner. Agitate to wet clothes and soak overnight. Drain and spin. Launder, using regular cycle, no detergent and one cup of non precipitating water conditioner. Repeat until no suds appear in rinse. To remove dinginess launder with water conditioner and bleach that is safe for fabric. May use color remover on white items except for silk, wool or spandex. |
| Removing unknown stains |
| Continue each step until the stain is removed. Soak in cold water for 30 minutes. Work liquid laundry detergent into the area and allow to stand 30 minutes. Rinse. Don't use bleach if you suspect rust, otherwise bleach according to type of fabric. Launder using regular cycle with hot or warm water. Soak stain overnight in enzyme presoak and launder. Sponge stain with dry cleaning fluid. Let stand 20 minutes. Rub with detergent, rinse, and launder. If fabric can be bleached, mix equal parts chlorine bleach and water and apply with eye dropper. On wool, silk or spandex sprinkle with oxygen bleach, dip quickly in hot water, do not agitate and launder. If stain still remains, take it to the dry cleaners and identify the stain and report what you have previously done. Some stains ARE NOT removable. Sorry! |
Source: http://extension.usu.edu/
