Stain Removal 101

Both my husband and I struggle with
spilling things...It runs in the family. 

This makes me smile...Boys will
be boys to the fullest:) so I am prepared
lots of stains.

 Thoughts on Stains:
So a couple of months ago my sister and I were talking about all the joys of motherhood. Her on the side of being a mom and me, waiting with anticipation for the day our little boy, Isaac would enter the world. That day her daughter, my niece, had had a major blow out in her new dress her mom had made for her. Needless to say she stained her dress and her mom's nice shirt as well. We got talking about stains and how it would be nice to have a forum that you could just look up or look at on the wall that told you how to treat each stain. We were laughing at how hard it is to remember which stains need hot water and which need cold and so on.

Before I even had a child, I was
battling my husband's stains...
Our child is doomed!

Now that Isaac has entered the world, I am on a pursuit of finding all the solutions I can for stains...because we all know that little boys tend to find many ways to stain their clothes in their exuberance to explore the world around them. I would rather have a imaginative exuberant little boy coming with stains on his clothes than a clean boy. As if clean and boy can ever go together!
So I have looked on the web and put together a list...a rather long list of all the different stains(as much as I can think of) and how to treat each stain. (if you all think of any other stains that are not on this list, feel free and comment so that I can add that stain and its removal technic to the list.) I also have not tried every stain removal technic yet. So if one does not work...feel free and let me know so I can take it off the list:)

Washing secrets 101: How to get out stains in clothing:

Basics to know:

Do not apply direct force to the stain, dab or soak indirectly instead of using fingers or cloth to scrub

Soak stain immediately with water using a paper towel or something like it

When garment is removed resoak and apply absorbant(salt, cornstarch,talcum  powder) soak for 10-15 min

Lay garment down on a paper towel. This gives something for the stain to absorb into. Let the garment lay face down on the paper towel for a hour or so.

Give the garment a final rinse and than wash it.

Cloth diapers:

Wash once in cold water.

Wash once in warm or hot water with no more than 1/4 cup of Cloth Diaper Detergent. There is an option to occasionally use 1/4 cup of bleach in this cycle. If you chose to do this, we recommend you do it minimally as bleach breaks down fibers in fabrics as it cleanses and disinfects.

Add an extra rinse to remove all traces of detergent.

Tumble dry on medium setting or hang to dry.

Getting out  different types of Stains:

Baby poop blow out:

Cold water rinse, then wash with (I use 1/4 detergent) in warm or hot water, hang to dry any stained clothes/diapers in the sun and when I get home from work, the stains are all gone!

Dawn dish soap (original Blue color)  It gets the grease out, and I found that baby poop always left a greasy residue, but Dawn always got the stain out.  I bought a small bottle and have it sitting on a shelf above my daughter hamper,  When there is a stain of any sort, I put some Dawn on it right away then toss it in the hamper!  Some stains I scrub before I wash them.  But Dawn has worked on set in grease stains I have had on my clothes.  I'm even taking some on vacation with me next week just incase I spill something!  Love it!  And it's cheap and lasts forever!  Good luck.

Baby food stains:

Often times a liquid detergent will help in removing the baby food stain. Simply put the detergent directly on the stain and let it sit. The worse the stain is, the longer you will want to leave the detergent on. After the detergent has set a while on the stain, rub the detergent into the stain. Afterwards, rinse the garment completely. If the stain is completely gone, you can then launder it like normal.

Another method you can try for removing baby food stains is to lather the stain with shaving cream. You can put the shaving cream directly on the stain and let it soak for approximately 30-60 minutes. You will want to make sure that you use foamy shaving cream instead of the gel shaving cream. After the shaving cream has set for a while, rub the stained area and then rinse. If the stain is completely gone, you can then wash the clothing like normal. If the stain is still there, you can repeat the above steps in order to completely remove the stain.

Hydrogen peroxide and water can be mixed together to help remove baby food stains. Use 50 percent water and 50 percent hydrogen peroxide. Spray the mixture on the stain and let it stand for approximately 30 minutes. You will then want to rinse the stain with a mixture of 50 percent water and 50 percent vinegar. After the garment is completely rinsed, you can then launder as normal.

Oxiclean with warm water and a little detergent. soak over night

Lemon juice and 5-10 min in the sun will help remove stain. Do not leave on too long for the acid will start to erode the fabric

Blueberry Stains:

Step 1: Scrape off any excess blueberry from the fabric.

Step 2: Run the fabric, inside out, under the cold water to flush out as much of the blueberry juice as possible.

Step 3: Apply liquid laundry detergent to the stained area and let it soak in cold water for 15-30 minutes.

Step 4: Rinse with cold water.

Step 5: If no visible spots remains, wash as normal with either oxygen bleach or chlorine bleach if safe for the fabric. If not, proceed to Step 6.

Step 6: Apply hydrogen peroxide (or oxygen bleach in paste form) to the blueberry stain, if safe for the fabric. Let sit for a few minutes and then rinse well. Then, follow Step 5 above.

Hint: Make sure the stain is gone after washing, but before you place in the dryer or you may set the stain. Repeat if necessary.

Strawberry stain:

Flush stain with cool water

Mix one tablespoon of white vinegar with 1/2 teaspoon of liquid detergent with one quart of cold water. Let soak for 15 min.

Rinse with water

If stain remains sponge on rubbing alcohol and thoroughly rinse

Launder using chlorine bleach if safe for fabric.

Tomato based stain:

Scrape off excess sauce with butter knife

Dab detergent on stain and rinse in cold water from underneath stain so as to not push the stain deeper.

Launder garment normally.

Grass stains:

When trying to eliminate grass stains, remember not to ever use ammonia, degreaser or alkaline detergents because they are known to permanently set the stain.

Tide Liquid or Powder Detergent

If you utilize a liquid or powder detergent then you should use one that also contains enzymes and the proven grass stain killer, bleach.

A great choice would be Tide Powder with bleach. Tide not only contains unique cleaning solvents but combines them with bleach and special enzymes that make them true grass stain fighters.

To really make this method work;

Pour the detergent directly on the grass stain.

Massage the detergent in the stain.

Let the detergent sit for about 10-15 minutes.

Wash the item as normal.

If the stain isn’t immediately banished, you can repeat the entire process until the grass stain is history.

Rubbing Alcohol

Rubbing alcohol is a solvent and is very good at helping to dislodge the green pigment from the grass.

Take a sponge and wet the grass stain with isopropyl rubbing alcohol.

Let it air dry.

Rinse it again with cool water

Work in some liquid detergent into the stained area.

Rinse with cold water.

Let it air dry and then wash the item as you normally would.

This should get rid of the grass stain.

Plain White Vinegar

Pre-treat the grass stain with warm water and plain white vinegar (no fruit vinegar) or water and rubbing alcohol.

You can then rub the mixture directly into the stain and then wash it as you normally would. This mixture is known to get out the stain.

Bleach with Hydrogen Peroxide

This mix of bleach with hydrogen peroxide makes an incredible grass stain remover. Only use this on light clothing as the bleach can remove fabric color too.

To use this method;

Mix 1/4 cup bleach, 1/4 cup peroxide and 3/4 cups cold water.

Place it directly on the stained area and massage in gently

Let it sit for 30-60 minutes

Rinse it thoroughly

Wash the item as normal

Biz Detergent

Take a huge bowl of water and place it in a pan. Heat the water until boiling. Then, carefully add 1 cup of Biz laundry additive to the water while being careful not to burn yourself. (The water is very hot)

Stir the mixture until the Biz is completely dissolved.

Once the Biz is dissolved, you should take the mixture off the hot stove.

Take your grass stained clothes and put them into the pot for about an hour.

Let the clothes completely cool.

Once they are completely cool, you should take the items out of the pot and then wash them in the washing machine as usual.

This method should completely remove the grass stains.

Molasses or Karo Syrup

Take a few drops of Molasses or Karo syrup and put it directly on the grass stained area.

Really rub it into the fabric and let it sit for a few minutes. Afterwards, you should wash the item as you normally would. This will make sure that you get that grass stain out!

Banana Oil

Amyl acetate is another name for banana oil and it is sold in drug stores. It is great for removing the chlorophyll in grass stains.

To use it;

Apply it directly to the grass stain.

Rub gently.

Rinse with hot water.

If the stain remains, mix;

1 cup of cold water.

2 tablespoons of a mild detergent.

2 tablespoons of ammonia.

Apply this to the grass stain and rub gently. This combination should completely zap out the stain.

Dry Clean Only

If an item is specifically labeled as a dry clean only product then there isn’t anything that you can do except take it immediately to the dry cleaners. They will then treat and dry clean the stain away.

Commercial Grass Stain Removal Products

There are several commercial products that you can use as well. Some popular ones are Shout Liquid, Trigger or Gel.

To use this method;

Place the product directly on the stain.

Wait 1-5 minutes.

Wash it with detergent in the warmest water recommended on the garment label.

If the stain remains, you should repeat treatment.

You can also use Motsenburger Lift-Off Stain Removal, which is a biodegradable and water-based product that is known for its stain removal properties, including grass stains.

To use it;

Simply place it directly on the grass stain

Wait 10-15 minutes

Wash the item as you normally would wash it.

Lastly, you can try Goo Gone spray Gel, an organic and nontoxic spray that is also known for eliminating grass stains.

To use it;

Simply spray it on the grass stain.

Wait 15 minutes.

Wash the item as normal.

In conclusion, you can remove grass stains out of your washable fabrics by first understanding what causes these stains then using the biz removal mixture, bleach with hydrogen peroxide, digestive enzymes, alcohol and water rinse, and detergent with bleach, commercial products, and amyl acetate to get the stain out.

Mildew smelling laundry:

Vinegar/lemon juice: add into the load of laundry to get rid of the smell

Grease stains:

Treat with warm water

Soak with a heavy duty Detergent . put right on stain, let sit for 30-40 min

For stubborn grease stains, use mineral spirits. Only use on tough fabrics

Mud and dirt stains:

Soak and agitate in Luke warm water to remove as much as possible.

Apply detergent to remaining stains and let sit for 20-30 min.

Rinse and repeat if necessary.

Launder normally.

Cooking oil or butter:

Treat immediately with lukewarm water.

Immerse with warm water and detergent. To remove, gently dab stain with detergent and lay face down on a paper towel.

Coffee and tea stains:

Vinegar/Lemon juice: the acid is great at removing the stain. Do not use on wool.

Soak immediately in warm water.

Dab stain with vinegar diluted with water or with detergent.

Wash in the hottest water the fabric can handle.

Blood stain and armpit stains and sweat:

Salt: can be applied to top to wetted stain to give something for the chemicals to soak into.

For sweat stains:

Wash in hot water with detergent.

If stain persists, soak in warm water and let stain with a sprinkling of salt.

Washable Fibers

Follow these steps to remove blood stains from Acrylic, Fabric, Cotton, Linen, Nylon, Olefin, Polyester, or Spandex:

Fresh blood stains can usually be removed by a thorough laundering in cold water. Soak for 10-15 min

If any stain remains, soak it in a solution of 1 quart warm water, 1­/2 teaspoon dishwashing or liquid laundry detergent, and 1 tablespoon ammonia for 15 minutes.

Tamp (the method of bringing a brush down with light strokes on stained durable fabrics and materials) or scrape (the method of using a scraping tool to gently lift off excess solid or caked-on stains), blotting occasionally with an absorbent pad.

Continue as long as any stain is being removed. Rinse well with water, making sure to remove all traces of the ammonia.

Then dry or launder.

Ink Removal Instructions

Dab rubbing alcohol onto the ink.

Allow a couple of minutes for the alcohol to penetrate the surface and react with the ink.

Blot the ink stain using layers of white paper towels or a cloth that has been dampened in either alcohol or water.

If the alcohol is ineffective, try using foaming shaving cream.

If the shaving cream doesn't work, hairspray usually will remove ink, but it should only be used as a last resort because hairspray damages some surfaces and fabrics.

Non-flammable dry cleaning fluid may remove certain inks. If you use dry cleaning fluid to remove a stain, rinse the area with water afterwards.

Gel ink pens use an ink that is made to be permanent. Alcohol will not remove gel ink, nor will acid. Sometimes it is possible to wear away gel ink using an eraser.