STAIN REMOVAL RULES
Stained, heavily-soiled, or greasy items
may need tobe prewashed or soaked
for best results. Soaking helps remove
protein-type stains like blood, milk, or
grass. Prewashing helps loosen soil
before washing.
• Use warm water for soaking or pre-
washing 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 offabric it is, and ifthe 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 ofthe 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 ofthe stain.
This forces the stain off the fabric
instead ofthrough it.
• Meat tenderizer or enzyme presoaks
help break down some protein stains
so they are easier to remove.
STAIN REMOVAL GUIDE
Alcoholic beverage
These stains turn brown with age, so
treat immediately. Sponge or soak fresh
stains with cold water. Wash. Ifstain
remains, soak 15 minutes in a solution
of lukewarm water, liquid detergent, and
afew drops ofwhite vinegar. Rinse. Wash.
Blood
Rinse immediately or soak in cold water
with enzyme presoak for 30minutes or
longer. Rinse. Rub detergent into any
remaining stains. Rinse. If stain remains,
put a few dropsof 3%hydrogen peroxide
on stain for 3-5 minutes. Rinse thoroughly.
Wash.
Chewing gum
Use ice tomake gum hard, Scrape off
what you can. Sponge with a nonflam-
mable fabric cleaner. Let dry. Wash.
Chocolate or coffee
Sponge immediately with anonflam-
mable fabric cleaner orapply a prewash
soil and stain remover. Rinse. Wash.
If stain remains, apply a liquid detergent
to stain orsoak in warm water with an
enzyme presoak. Rewash.
Crayon orcandle wax
Scrape off excess with a dull knife.
Place fabric between two blotters or
facial tissue. Press with warm iron.
Remove color stain with nonflammable
fabric cleaner. Hand wash until stain
is gone. Iffull load is crayon stained,
take to cleaners or coin-operated dry
cleaning machine.
Cream, milk, or ice cream
Sponge with a nonflammable fabric
cleaner, or a prewash soil and stain
remover, Rinse, Wash. Repeat ifneces-
sary. If stain remains, apply a few drops
of liquid detergent and a few drops of
ammonia. Blot dry and rinse, Ifstain
remains, soak in an enzyme presoak.
Wash.
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