Dealing with stubborn stains on clothes and linens can be frustrating. However, with the right techniques and products, you can get your laundry looking fresh and clean again. Here are 10 of the best tips for removing laundry stains effectively.
Know Your Fabrics
Before trying to remove a stain, always check the care label to understand the fabric you are working with. Delicate fabrics like silk and wool often require special cleaners and procedures. Tougher fabrics like denim and cotton can handle more aggressive stain removal tactics. Being aware of fabric characteristics will prevent damage.
Act Quickly
Don’t let stains sit and set on fabric. Address them as soon as possible after the stain occurs for the best chance of removal. Long-set stains can sometimes be impossible to remove completely. Keeping a stain removal kit handy allows you to act fast.
Blot Don’t Rub
Rubbing and scrubbing can further push the stain into the fibers and spread it out, making removal harder. Always gently blot stains instead of rubbing them. Use a clean white cloth or paper towel to lightly press and lift the stain.
Pre-Treat Tough Stains
For robust stains like oil, blood, ink, or grass, use a pre-wash stain remover stick, gel, or spray. Apply it directly to the stain per package directions. Let it sit and work before washing as usual. Pre-treaters break down stubborn stains.
Use Cold Water
Avoid hot water when pre-treating or washing stained items. Hot water can set stains permanently. Always use the coldest water possible when attempting stain removal. After pre-treating, rinse in cold water before regular laundry.
Know Your Bleach
For whites and colorfast prints, bleaches can remove all sorts of stains. Chlorine bleach works well on organic stains like food, grass, or blood. Non-chlorine bleaches are safer for colors but lifted fewer stains in testing. Always check care labels before bleaching.
Increase Agitation
In a standard washer, add extra rinse time and run the drain and spin at a high speed. The more agitation, the better it removes pre-treated stains. For tough dried-in stains, consider hand washing and really working on the stain before washing as usual.
Use Laundry Boosters
Laundry boosting products like borax, washing soda, and OxiClean can supercharge your regular detergent. A booster helps remove soils and stains the detergent alone often misses. Simple boosters are inexpensive and widely available.
Alternate Soaking and Washing
Fill a basin or sink with cold water and your preferred cleaner. For tough set stains, alternate soaking for 30-60 minutes and washing. The soaking loosens and lifts, washing flushes it away. Repeat as needed for total removal.
Don’t Dry Stained Items
The heat from a dryer can permanently set many stains. Never machine dry anything still showing signs of a stain. Hang dry stained garments until the stain is completely gone. Then it is safe to tumble dry as normal.
Stain removal is often trial and error. Always start with the gentlest option like cold water. Increase intensity gradually, taking care to protect the fabric. With persistence and the right techniques, you can get all kinds of stains out of laundry, keeping clothes looking their best.
Frequently Asked Questions About Removing Laundry Stains
How do you get old stains out of clothes?
For old, set-in stains, soak the clothing in a mixture of cold water and oxygen-based bleach or detergent booster. Let it soak 30-60 minutes before washing in cold water. Repeat as needed. The soaking helps lift out the stain so regular washing can flush it away.
What removes stains permanently?
No stain remover will permanently remove stains from fabric. They work by breaking down and lifting stains so they can be flushed away. Prompt treatment, cold water, increased agitation, and laundry boosters give the best chance for complete stain eradication.
What household products remove stains?
Many everyday products can remove stains. Dish soap, hydrogen peroxide, vinegar, and salt all work to lift certain stains. Lemon juice, rubbing alcohol, and cream of tartar also have stain removal abilities. Always check care labels before using household cleaners on fabric.
Do laundry stain removers really work?
Yes, laundry pre-treat sprays and stain remover sticks and gels really work when used properly. They contain detergents and enzymes specially formulated to break down stubborn stains. Pre-treaters are most effective when applied immediately and used with cold water washing.
What removes old oil stains?
For older oil stains, pretreat with dish soap or an emulsifying detergent like Dawn. Let sit, then wash in hot water if fabric allows. Oxygen bleach and laundry boosters also help lift oil stains. Alternate soaking in detergent and washing may be needed for stains set in.
How do you get makeup stains out of clothes?
Apply stain remover stick or spray to makeup stains before washing. Use liquid hand dish detergent for heavily set stains, letting it soak before washing. Avoid bar soap or scrubbing. For delicate fabrics, try rubbing with baby shampoo before rinsing and washing normally.
How do you clean smelly laundry?
Smelly laundry is often the result of buildup of oils, sweat, and bacteria. Wash in hot water using a laundry booster and vinegar in place of fabric softener. For synthetics, add baking soda. Dry thoroughly and in sunshine when possible. Ozone generators also disinfect smelly laundry.
How do you whiten yellowed laundry?
For white fabrics that have yellowed, use chlorine bleach per care instructions. For colors, soak in oxygen bleach and hot water before washing. Baking soda, lemon juice, or hydrogen peroxide soaks can also brighten dingy clothes. Avoid over drying to prevent yellowing.
Why are some stains impossible to remove?
Some stains are impossible to remove completely if they permanently alter the chemical structure of the fibers. This can happen with bleaches, paints, inks, or dyes. That is why prompt treatment is key, before permanent binding to fibers can occur. Even then, faint stains may remain.
Conclusion
Removing laundry stains promptly and with care for the fabric is key for the best results. Arm yourself with the right stain-fighting products and techniques, and you can keep your family’s clothes looking their very best. Treat stains as soon as they happen, and replace ruinous scrubbing with smart laundry boosters and alternating soaking and washing cycles. With some knowledge and consistent effort, even the toughest stains don’t stand a chance.