Ever wondered how to get rid of stubborn stains from tea, stew, blood , lipstick etc. off your favourite clothes? On the table below, we have summarized the best and most effective ways to get rid of stains on fabric.
| TYPE OF STAIN | WHEN TO TREAT STAIN | MACHINE WASHABLES | NON-WASHABLES |
| BLOOD | Sponge with cold water immediately it occurs | Soak with cold water if the stain is fresh. If the stain is dried, soak in warm water with a product containing enzyme | Flush stain with cold water. Apply diluted vinegar to the stain. Rinse spot with cool water |
| TEA OR COFFEE | Sponge with cool water right away if possible. | Soak stain in cool water. Pre-treat with detergent. Launder with chlorine bleach if safe for fabric , or colour-safe bleach | Apply diluted white vinegar to the stain and flush the spot with cool water. |
| LIPSTICK | As soon as you are able to apply special treatment. | Don’t use water. Instead, rub mineral oil into the stain and let it set for 15 minutes. Blot excess oil then sponge with 1 part ammonia and 2 parts of water. Rinse thoroughly | Same procedure as washables except wool or silk, which cannot be treated with ammonia and must be dry cleaned |
| INK | As soon as possible | Pre-treat with stain remover and launder as usual. If stain remains, place on clean paper towels. Apply alcohol to stain, Rinse well and launder | Apply a solution of 1 part glycerin, 1 part white dish-washing detergent and 8 parts water and a few drops of white vinegar. Let if stand 30 minutes, adding solution to keep it moist. Rinse! |
| PERSPIRATION | As soon as possible | Use ammonia solution for fresh stains and white vinegar for old stains. Rinse and launder using hottest water safe for fabric. | Use diluted white vinegar for stained spot. Follow up with cool water |
| RED WINE | Blot with a clean dry cloth immediately | Cover the stain with salt ad stretch over a bowl. Pour boiling water on the stained spot . Launder. If the stain still remains, apply dilute vinegar, flush with cool water and launder thereafter. | Apply diluted vinegar to the stain then flush the spot with cool water. Launder.. |
| SAUCES | Sponge with cold water right away if possible | Apply dilute white vinegar to the stain. Flush spot thoroughly with cool water. Pretreat with rewash stain remover and launder. | Apply diluted vinegar to the stain then flush the spot with cool water. Launder. |
| PAINT | For water base paint: rinse in warm water right way. For oil base paint, as soon as possible | Water base: Rinse in warm water while stain is wet.Launder.
Oil base paint: If the label on the paint recommends a thinner, use that solvent for stain removal, or try turpentine. Rinse and launder |
Water base paint: Sponge wet stain with water and blot with diluted dish-washing soap solution. Rinse,.
Oil based paint: Blot excess stain and take the fabric to dry cleaners |
