People spend so much time in their favorite outfits. Sometimes it’s impossible not to get something on them – especially stains. You may not see these stains coming, but it seems they have you targeted.
Don’t groan in frustration just yet, whether it’s your favorite top, that dress your best friend doesn’t know you borrowed, or your child’s brand-new shorts. The stains that look impossible to remove – red wine, lipstick, ink — aren’t as difficult to remove if you approach them from the right direction.
Keep in mind that not all remedies work, so don’t give up if a particular hack doesn’t totally remove the stain. If you keep trying, you’re more likely to find a strategy that works. But never, ever put a stained item in a heated dryer unless you’re quite certain the stain is gone. A permanent stain will result from this, making it more difficult to remove.
Take advantage of these random fashion facts, including quick and easy stain removal solutions to save your home, clothes, and sanity while utilizing goods you probably already have on hand.
Consider keeping the following household goods on hand for a quick clean-up.
- Club soda
- White vinegar
- Acetone (nail polish remover)
- Stain removal gel or prewash stain remover
- Dish/laundry detergent
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Baking soda, cornstarch, salt
Red Wine
Contrary to its white counterpart, red wine leaves an unsightly mark that is difficult to remove with soap and water. Thankfully, you only need elbow grease and some everyday products to get rid of this terrible discoloration.
If the stain is still fresh, quickly sprinkle baking soda on it to remove it. Use a clean, moist towel to gently dab the stain to absorb the wine stains. Refrain from wiping or rubbing.
Once that’s done, cover a bowl with the stained fabric, ensuring it’s stretched tight around it. A thick rubber band is perfect for this step. Next, apply salt to the stained cloth and allow it to sit for around five minutes before removing it from the bowl or kettle. Water should be added to the fabric slowly so as not to damage the fibers. Experts recommend doing this from about eight inches above the spot for the water to be powerful enough to remove the stain. It can then be washed at maximum water temperature in a washing machine, according to the site.
Lipstick Stains
Lipstick, according to experts, is one of the most difficult stains to remove due to the wide variety of hues and compositions. It is also important to consider the sort of fabric that has been soiled. You may want to have a professional clean the stain if it’s on a cashmere, wool, or silk outfit. Fun fact did you know that some lipstick is made from insects and includes carmine (or cochineal) which is a deep, bright red dye?
For everything else, carefully scrape off any excess lipstick. Once you’ve done that, lay down some paper towels on a hard surface, and you can start cleaning. On the paper towels, place the affected area with the stained side facing downwards. Then, apply a dish detergent with grease-attacking capabilities to the back of the stain. Afterward, turn the garment over so that the stained side is facing up. Use a clean toothbrush to cleanse the area gently. Don’t rinse it. As an alternative, you can put it in your washing machine on the gentle cycle and wash it as usual. Keep at it until the stain is finally gone.
Grease Stains
Getting grease out of clothes can be very frustrating, but there is a quick fix. Try this trick: Sprinkle cornstarch over the affected area and let it sit for a few minutes. As soon as the cornstarch has absorbed the grease, simply brush it away. Once the grease is removed, you may go back to trying to persuade everyone to use napkins instead of their clothes in the future.
WD-40 is also a great alternative to grease spots. Yes, the spray that removes the squeak from doors hinges and the like. You can spray the substance on the stain and let it soak in for up to 30 minutes. Follow up with a small amount of dish soap or liquid laundry detergent, and let it sit for another 30 minutes. Once finished, run it through the washing machine as usual and then hang it up to air dry, since running a stain through the dryer nearly ensures that it will never go away.
Ink Stains
Anyone who has put a ballpoint pen in their pocket thinking it would be safe has learned the hard way that ink exploding all over your clothes is not safe. But your jeans may not be beyond repair, so don’t give up just yet. However, keep in mind that inks are not all the same; hence the treatment also varies.
You can use a paper towel to remove ballpoint pen ink from garments. Afterward, dab a little rubbing alcohol on the affected areas. It may be necessary to let larger stains soak for up to 15 minutes to remove them completely. Using a clean cloth, blot/sponge the stain until you see that ink is no longer being transferred. Rinse and wash as usual in hot water after.
On the other hand, ink from a felt-tip pen can be a little more difficult to erase, but it’s still possible. First, the discoloration should be thoroughly rinsed in cold water, according to experts. The next step is to soak the fabric in hot water with liquid laundry detergent for a couple of minutes. If you have ammonia, add a bit to the mix. Stir well, add the item, and rub lightly to remove the stain. For stubborn stains, soak it for 30 to 60 minutes, or overnight if necessary. Toss in a little more detergent and wash as usual once the stain appears to be gone.
Removing stains from your clothes can be a quick fix, but it can be a tedious process as well. There are a lot of remedies you can do at home in restoring your favorite garments to their glory, so the next time that stain targets you, you might as well be waiting with your newly acquired stain removal techniques.