Stain Removal 101

Act fast! The more quickly you treat a stain, the better your chances are of removing it completely. Blot the stain with a paper towel or a clean cloth to remove as much of the stain as possible.

Don’t let stains dry out. If you can’t treat a stain right away, sponge it with cold water (hot water sets many stains, making them more difficult to remove), spray it with soda water or cover it with a damp towel.

If a stain dries out, rub it with vegetable glycerine before trying to remove it.

Soda water or a soapy solution is often all that’s needed to remove a stain.

Move from the outside in so you don’t leave a ring.

Don’t scrub! You’ll damage the fabric. Instead, place an absorbent clean cloth on the stain itself and apply the solution that you’re using from the “wrong” side. Change the pad as often as needed.

If a cleaner isn’t working, simply rinse it away and try something else.

Be sure to check clothes carefully when you take them out of the wash. If a stain is still there, re-treat and rewash. Don’t put clothes in the dryer until the stain is completely gone as the heat will set the stain.

Set-in stains will often come out in the wash after being pre-treated with a solution of 3 Tbsp white vinegar and 2 Tbsp dishwashing liquid in 1 L of warm water. Rub the solution into the stain, then blot it dry before washing.