Preparing the wash cycle 25
Removing stains
Stubborn stains may not be removed by just water and detergent. It is therefore advisable to treat them prior to washing.
Blood: treat fresh stains with cold water. For dried stains, soak overnight in water with a special detergent then rub in the soap and water.
Oil based paint: moisten with benzine stain remover, lay the garment on a soft cloth and dab the stain; treat several times.
Dried grease stains: moisten with turpentine, lay the garment on a soft surface and dab the stain with the fingertips and a cotton cloth.
Rust: oxalic acid dissolved in hot water or a rust removing product used cold. Be careful with rust stains which are not recent since the cellulose structure will already have been damaged and the fabric tends to hole.
Mould stains: treat with bleach, rinse well (whites and fast coloureds only).
Grass: soap lightly and treat with bleach (whites and fast coloureds only).
Ball point pen and glue: moisten with acetone (*), lay the garment on a soft cloth and dab the stain.
Lipstick: moisten with acetone as above, then treat stains with methylated spirits. Treat any residual marks with bleach.
Red wine: soak in water and detergent, rinse and treat with acetic or citric acid, then rinse. Treat any residual marks with bleach.
Ink: depending on the type of ink, moisten the fabric first with acetone (*), then with acetic acid; treat any residual marks on white fabrics with bleach and then rinse thoroughly.
Tar stains: first treat with stain remover, methylated spirits or benzine, then rub with detergent paste.
(*) do not use acetone on artificial silk.