There are many kinds of stains that can occur on a number of surfaces. There are even more remedies to get rid of these stains. Some work on lighter stains, others on darker stains. Whether you try home remedies, consumer products, household goods or professional cleaning products, you should always blot stains rather than rub and you should test solutions on a part of the fabric you can't see to make sure it doesn't damage the fabric. Does this Spark an idea?
Prevention/Solution
There are many solutions that can be used on different stains. One stain remover that can be used on many different stains is made by mixing a cup of distilled water, a cup of rubbing alcohol and 2 teaspoons of dish soap in a clean spray bottle. Spray it on the stain, then wash as usual. Placing two denture tablets into a shoebox sized container of warm water forms a soaking solution that can remove 2/3 of food stains, according to Consumer Reports in May 2002. Soak the stained garment in the denture solution for 15 minutes, then wash as usual.
Types
Grass stains and stains from fruit juice, berries, fruit, cola, coffee, tea, glue and perspiration can be removed by soaking the stained garments in distilled white vinegar. Fresh bloodstains should be flushed with cold water. Fabric stained with dry blood can be blotted with 3 percent hydrogen peroxide, and then soaked in a mixture of enzyme laundry detergent and water.
Warning
Don't use white vinegar on acetate fabrics. It contains at least 4 percent acetic acid that can dissolve acetate fibers. Nail polish remover and other cleaners containing acetone shouldn't be used on acetate or triacetate fabrics as they can dissolve the material. Hydrogen peroxide and solutions of enzyme laundry detergent should not be used on wool or silk. Soaking fabrics in bleach solutions for more than five minutes can remove stains but also weaken fabric. Don't use chlorine bleach on silk or spandex. Always wear gloves when treating acid stains.
Features
Stains from milk, baby formula, blood and chocolate can be removed by applying a paste made from water and unseasoned meat tenderizer. Let it sit for one hour, then brush off the tenderizer and wash as usual. Mildew and ink stains can be removed by soaking the fabric overnight in buttermilk, then washing it as usual the next day. Oil and grease stains can be absorbed by rubbing baby powder or cornstarch into the stain and letting it sit for 15 minutes.
Expert Insight
According to Joan and Lydia Wilen, authors of Bottom Line Books' "Household Magic," grease stains can be loosened by soaking them in cola for 15 minutes. A whole load of greasy clothes can be washed by adding a 1-liter bottle of cola along with your laundry detergent. Dish soap removes grease and stains, and shampoo for oily hair can get out oil stains from fabric.
Tags: grease stains, laundry detergent, wash usual, different stains, enzyme laundry, enzyme laundry detergent, removed soaking