Stain Removal for Washable Fabrics

Identify fiber content and type of stain, if known. Remember that fresh stains are easier to remove than old ones, and washing, drying or ironing may make some stains impossible to remove. Refer to the garment's care label and follow manufacturer's recommendations. These are only suggestions so please consider consulting a professional, like your local dry cleaner.

General instructions

  • Blot liquid stains immediately with an absorbent material and gently scrape excess staining material from the fabric surface.
  • Test stain remover on an inside part of the garment to check for damage.
  • Push the stain out, not in. Work from the wrong side of the garment.
  • Avoid using hot water on an unknown stain.
  • Avoid excess rubbing which may cause damage to the fabric.
  • Thoroughly rinse out stain remover before laundering to avoid chemical reactions. If dry-cleaning solvent is not completely removed with rinsing, allow it to evaporate from the fabric before washing or putting in a dryer.
  • Never mix stain removal materials, especially chlorine bleach and ammonia or vinegar.
  • When using hazardous cleaning agents such as chlorine bleach, rubbing alcohol, ammonia, dry-cleaning solvent and rust remover, read and observe all warnings on the label.
 
alcoholic beverages Procedure 2
asphalt, tar Scrape excess form fabric with dull knife. Procedure 5
ball-point pen, felt tip marker, or ink Sponge with dry-cleaning solvent until all bleeding of ink stops.  Follow same procedure using alcohol and/or glycerin.  If stain remains, apply detergent.  Let stand overnight if necessary. Apply pre-wash spot and stain remover and launder.
blood Soak in cold water for 15 to 30 minutes.  Apply ammonia. Rinse. Procedure 8.  Apply detergent to stain and rinse.  If stain remains, soak for 15 minutes in an oxygen bleach or hydrogen peroxide solution.  Launder.
catsup

Remove excess with dull knife.  Procedure 5, Procedure 7 or Procedure 8.
chewing gum

Rub with ice cube to harden.  Remove excess.  Procedure 5, Procedure 7 or Procedure 8.
coffee, tea Procedure 2 or Procedure 8.  For coffee with cream, Procedure 5, Procedure 7 or Procedure 8.
cosmetics Procedure 4 or Procedure 6
crayon wax Remove excess with dull knife. Procedure 5 or Procedure 7.
crayon melted in washer or dryer load of clothes Scrape crayon off garment with dull knife.  Dry-clean in a coin-operated dry-cleaning machine or take to commercial dry-cleaner.  If stain remains, use Procedure 7.
cream, milk, ice cream Procedure 8 or Procedure 6.  If stain remains, use Procedure 4.
deodorant, antiperspirant Procedure 1.  Color may be restored by sponging with ammonia (new stains) or vinegar (old stains).
dye transfer from non-colorfast garment May be impossible to remove.  Use commercial color remover on white fabric or use chlorine or oxygen bleach if safe for fabric.  If may help to soak in enzyme pre-soak.
egg Procedure 8.  If stain remains, use Procedure 4 or Procedure 7.
fruits, berries Rinse stain under cool running water. Use Procedure 2.  If stain remains, use Procedure 8.
grass Sponge with dry-cleaning solvent or waterless hand cleaner, than use Procedure 2.
gravy Procedure 4, Procedure 6 or Procedure 8
grease, oil, butter Procedure 4 or Procedure 6
mayonnaise, salad dressing Procedure 4 or Procedure 6
mildew Brush off mildew outdoors.  Apply detergent to stain and launder.  If stain remains, soak for 10-15 minutes in a solution of 1/4 cup chlorine bleach and 1/3 cup water, if safe for fabric, or bleach with oxygen-type bleach.  Rinse well.
mustard Scrape of excess with dull knife.  Sponge with detergent and ammonia.  If stains remains, bleach with oxygen bleach.  Launder.
paint, oil-base Remove quickly before paint dries.  If unable to treat immediately, wrap in plastic or air-tight wrap to prevent drying.  If a particular solvent is recommended as a thinner, treat stain with solvent.  Procedure 5
paint, water-base Remove quickly before paint dries.  Sponge with dry-cleaning solvent or waterless hand cleaner.  Procedure 1.  Add chlorine bleach to wash water if safe for fabric.
perfume Procedure 1 or Procedure 2
perspiration Procedure 1 or Procedure 8.  If odor remains, rub with bar of deodorant soap and launder again.  Or, soak overnight in 4 tablespoons salt in a quart of warm water.  Rinse and re-launder.  Color may be restored with ammonia (new stains) or vinegar (old stains).
rust Use rust remover, following manufacturer's directions.
shoe polish, wax Scrape off excess with dull knife.  Procedure 5.  If stain remains, sponge with rubbing alcohol.  Rinse.  Launder.
soft drinks Procedure 2.  Permanent "yellowing" may be result if soft drink stains are allowed to remain in the fabric.
urine Procedure 1.  If color change has occurred, sponge with ammonia (for new stains) or vinegar (for old stains) to restore color.  If stain remains, try Procedure 8
wax, candle Scrape excess from fabric with dull knife.  Place stain between paper towels and press with a warm iron to remove wax.  Procedure 5
wine Procedure 2
 
Procedure 1 Sponge or soak stain in cool water. Apply detergent to stain. Launder.
Procedure 2 Soak in a solution of 1 quart warm water, 1/2 teaspoon detergent and 1 tablespoon white vinegar for 15 minutes. Rinse with water. If stain remains, sponge with alcohol, rinse thoroughly and launder. Add bleach, chlorine type if safe for fabric, to wash water.
Procedure 3 Soak in a solution of 1 quart warm water, 1/2 teaspoon detergent and 1 tablespoon white vinegar for 15 minutes. Rinse with water and air-dry. If stain remains, sponge with dry-cleaning solvent or waterless hand cleaner. Rinse with water. Launder, using hot water and chlorine bleach, if safe for fabric.
Procedure 4 Sponge with dry-cleaning solvent or waterless hand cleaner. Rinse with water. Air-dry. Apply detergent to stain. Launder.
Procedure 5 Sponge with dry-cleaning solvent or waterless hand cleaner. Rinse with water. Apply detergent to stain. Launder, using hot water and bleach, chlorine-type if safe for fabric.
Procedure 6 Treat garment with a pre-wash spot and stain remover. Launder.
Procedure 7 Treat dry garment with a pre-wash spot and stain remover. Launder, using hot water and chlorine bleach, if safe for fabric.
Procedure 8 Soak in warm water and enzyme pre-soak for 15 to 30 minutes. Launder.


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