Removing Stains
Stained, heavily soiled, or greasy items may need to be prewashed or soaked for best results. Soaking helps remove
Stain removal rules
•Use warm water for soaking or prewashing stained laundry. Hot water can set stains.
•Most stains are easier to remove when they are fresh. Old or set stains may not come out. Follow package directions for pretreatment products.
•Before treating any stain, find out what kind of stain it is, how old the stain is, what kind of fabric it is, and if the fabric is colorfast. (Check the care label.)
•Washing and drying can set some stains.
•Start with cold or warm water. Hot water can set some stains.
•When bleach is recommended, use a bleach that is safe for the fabric.
•Test stain removers on an inside seam or hidden corner of the item to see if the color is removed.
•Put the stained area face down on a paper towel or white cloth. Apply the stain remover to the back of the stain. This forces the stain off the fabric instead of through it.
•Meat tenderizer or enzyme presoaks help break down some protein stains so they are easier to remove.
Stain removal guide
STAIN | TO REMOVE |
Alcoholic | These stains turn brown with age, so treat immediately. Sponge or soak |
beverage | fresh stains with cold water. Wash. If stain remains, soak 15 minutes in a |
| solution of lukewarm water, liquid detergent, and a few drops of white |
| vinegar. Rinse. Wash. |
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Blood | Rinse immediately or soak in cold water with enzyme presoak for 30 |
| minutes or longer. Rinse. Rub detergent into any remaining stains. Rinse. |
| If stain remains, put a few drops of 3% hydrogen peroxide on stain for |
| minutes. Rinse thoroughly. Wash. |
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Chewing | Use ice to make gum hard. Scrape off what you can. Sponge with a |
gum | nonflammable fabric cleaner. Let dry. Wash. |
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Chocolate | Sponge immediately with a nonflammable fabric cleaner or apply a prewash |
or coffee | soil and stain remover. Rinse. Wash. If stain remains, apply a liquid deter- |
| gent to stain or soak in warm water with an enzyme presoak. Rewash. |
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Crayon and | Scrape off excess with a dull knife. Place fabric between two blotters or |
candle wax | facial tissue. Press with warm iron. Remove color stain with nonflammable |
| fabric cleaner. Hand wash until stain is gone. If full load is crayon stained, |
| take to cleaners or |
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|
Cream, | Sponge with a nonflammable fabric cleaner, or a prewash soil and stain |
milk, or | remover. Rinse. Wash. Repeat if necessary. If stain remains, apply a few |
ice cream | drops of liquid detergent and a few drops of ammonia. Blot dry and rinse. |
| If stain remains, soak in an enzyme presoak. Wash. |
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| continued on next page |
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