General Tips for Removing Stains
Your child runs in the house and into your arms; it is only too late that you notice he is covered in dirt and mud.
Stains happen all the time, and while preventing them is sometimes impossible, there are some easy ways to get rid of them when they occur. Even those seemingly impossible stains, like tea, blood and chocolate can be removed with the right detergent and stain remover.
Overview for Removing Stains
- The first thing you should always do is check the garment care label. This will not only tell you what type of fabric you are dealing with, but it will also tell you what the highest water temperature is that you can use to wash the clothing. It will also tell you whether hand washing clothes is required, or machine washing is allowed.
- Next, choose your detergent for stain removal. Use Persil Universal Gel when cleaning stains on white or coloured clothing and Persil Abaya Shampoo for cleaning your abayas.
- Before you apply any detergent, remove excess solids and liquids. They only get in the way and make the stain even more of a mess. For some stains, you will also need to flush the stain from the back with cool water.
- Never dry the clothes until the stain is completely gone. You can continue with different stain pre-treatments and still get rid of stains on clothes if the stain has not been dried yet.
Special Differences with Stain Removal
Every stain is different, but there are typically three different kinds to consider: liquid-based, oil-based, and protein-based. Liquid-based stains refer to fruit juice stains and blood stains. Oil-based stains can refer to grease and oil stains or lotion, sunscreen, and cream stains. Protein-based stains refer to blood or sweat and armpit stains.
When tackling any stain, always be sure to look up the specific stain removal techniques for each one. Some require washing in hot water, while other require cold water washing. Some stains can be removed quickly, while others are a bit harder and take more effort and time.
Questions and Answers
Wondering what your next steps should be to make clothes white and clean stains? Here are just a few questions you may have and the answers to help.
- Can I use bleach to whiten my clothes?
Bleaching clothes is certainly an option, and sometimes good when removing stains. However, using bleach can also be extremely harmful to your clothing. On colours, it can lighten hues in the specific area of the stain, creating a new stain itself. On certain fabrics, it can also be harmful. For instance, its yellow polyester and permanently damages cotton fibres.
- What about other natural solutions?
While many natural solutions can work to get rid of stains, they can also cause more harm than good. Some solutions, like hydrogen peroxide and lemon juice, can naturally bleach your clothing. Others, like vinegar and salt, can damage your washing machine over time.
- How do I keep stains from setting if I am away from home?
No one wants stains to become permanent. If you are away from home when the stain happens, the best option (for most stains) is to keep the stain wet until you get home. Once they dry, many stains are much harder to get out.
- How can I keep a stain from spreading?
Blot. Do not rub. Always blot.