Summer fun – and all the stains that go along with it – can be messy!
Your first line of defense when you stain clothing, says the home service professionals at MOLLY MAID, is to take fast action before the stain dries. For most fabrics, blot up the excess or rinse the discoloured area with cold water.
Here’s what MOLLY MAID advises for specific stains:
- Grass stains: Pre-soak or pre-wash the garment in warm water (either in a bucket or in your washing machine, using the pre-soak setting) with a detergent containing enzymes. Launder as usual.
- Mud: Let dry, then brush off as much of the hardened mud as possible. Apply a gentle detergent, and warm water. Rub gently to form suds, then rinse. Launder as usual.
- Red wine: To clean up a red wine spill on fabric, dab up the excess wine with a clean cloth or towel and rinse clean with soda water. Make sure you dab, rather than wipe, or the stain will spread.
- Chocolate ice cream: Pre-treat or pre-wash the garment in warm water with a laundry detergent that contains enzymes; most well-known brands contain enzymes, which allows lower temperatures to be used and a shorter wash time is needed. Launder as usual.
- Pollen: Soak the garment in cold water for 30 minutes, then rinse. Repeat a few times if necessary until most of the stain has been removed. If the stain is still present, apply a spot stain remover and wash in the hottest recommended temperature for the fabric.
- Deodorant: Use a pre-wash stain removal laundry product; if the discoloration is old, apply white vinegar. Rinse, then launder in the hottest water that’s safe to use with the fabric.
- Grease: Blot the stain and then sprinkle with an absorbent powder such as cornstarch or baking soda. Work in gently and let sit for a half-hour, then brush off. Repeat several times until the spot is removed.
- Blood: Rinse in cold water as soon as possible. If the blood has dried, brush off as much as possible, then treat with a solution of salt and lemon juice or any type of soap with warm water – and rub into the stain. Once it has started to clear, wash in cold or warm water.
