How To Remove Stains From Clothing

Every adult needs to know how to remove stains from clothing. Perhaps there is a coffee stain on work shirt or grass stains from playing football with friends, knowing how to properly deal with stains can save money and time. Old stains can be harder to remove, so try to take care of stains as soon as possible.

1. Remove excess Liquid. Take a white cloth or paper towel and blot up excess liquid. Do not scrub.
2. Examine the care label or fabric. It is good to know if the garment is washable or if it is dry clean only. If dryclean only, take to the cleaners as soon as possible (within 24 to 48 hours).
3. Test the fabric.  Use a stain removal agent on a seam or hidden area of the garment.  Make sure the stain remover does not change the color of the fabric.
4. Dampen a new white cloth with the stain remover (if it passed the fabric test).  Make sure to use a new cloth.
5. Turn the garment over to the wrong side. Use the dampened cloth to blot the stain from the underside.
6. Repeat steps four through five. The stain should start to lighten and eventually disappear.

Tips

• If the stain is stubborn it may be necessary to let the stain sit in warm water overnight (before trying a stain remover).
• Never place a stained garment in hot water. Hot water will set the stain making it harder to remove.
• Never mix stain removal products together (some combinations are toxic).