You can consult “Google”, YouTube, blogs, and Pinterest for stain removal tips but we’re going to tell you the best stain removal tip you need to know: Identify the TYPE of stain.
Before you can treat the stain, you need to identify which of the four types of clothing stains (oil, protein, tannin or dye) you have on your hands. If your stain is a combination stain (gum, crayon, lipstick, chocolate) then treat the oily part first.
Oil based stains: butter, margarine, mayonnaise, cooking oil, deodorant, car grease, gasoline, ointment, and hair oil.
These stains sit deep in the fabric and can’t easily be removed. You can pre-treating the stain with a spray stain treatment or stain stick. These products have solvents that will break down the stain. Soak the clothes in the hottest water the fabric can tolerate. Be certain to re-treat if there are traces of the stain before drying!
Protein stains: dairy, baby food, bodily excrement, blood, glue and mud.
Scrub the grime off with either a fork or spoon and then soak items in cold water. Hot water will fix the protein stain into the cloth. Scrub the items with your hands and use a heavy-duty laundry detergent. You may need to do this more than once, especially if it’s a dried stain. If the stain remains, bleach may also be used if it will not damage the clothing item.
Tannin stains: wine, tea, tomato juice, soft drinks, fruit juice, alcohol products, berries and coffee.
These stains should be washed in hot water with detergent. Do not try to pre-treat these items with regular soap, as it will help to set the stain. Bleach must be used on old tannin-based stains.
Dye stains: blueberries, cherries, powdered drink mixes, permanent markers, ink, grass and mustard.
These stains spread fast and are the most difficult to remove. If you treat the item right away you can wash it with hot water. Use a pre-treatment product and then rinse the item thoroughly. You may have to do this several times. White items can be bleached, and some stains can be lightened with rubbing alcohol if the fabric will allow it.
It’s not rocket science but it is a science. Not all stain remedies are created equal. It’s important to identify the stain before choosing a cleaning product and a wash cycle. Always obey the care label on the item.
When you visit Classic Cleaners you can trust your pesky stains to our trained stain removal specialists. They are equipped to handle the task of making your clothes look as good as new – just be sure to tell them what type of stain is on your item!!
– S.O.
