No matter how hard one tries, it seems like stains on your clothes are inevitable and it is a constant battle in trying to get them out. The key to stain removal is to catch and treat the stains before they go through the washing machine and, most importantly, before drying. Quick and cautious stain removal will keep clothes in wearable condition longer and helps reduce clothing costs.
The fiber content and the suggested care of the fabric will determine how you should approach removing stains. The following information is applicable to washable fabrics only. If a garment is dry-clean only, blot up the excess stain and take the garment to the dry-cleaners as soon as possible and, if possible, let them know what the stain is.
Some of the most important steps in stain removal are:
• The earlier you take care of a stain, the easier it is to remove.
• Blot up any excess liquid with a clean white cloth or paper towel. Remove excess solids by gentling scraping or chipping with a dull knife. This may mean letting the solid dry before scraping or brushing it off—such as mud.
• Never rub a fresh stain with bar soap. Bar soap sets many stains.
• It is a good habit to check laundry before washing in order to pretreat the stain. Also, inspect wet laundry before drying to be sure the stain was removed. If the stain is still evident, do not dry it in the dryer. The heat of drying makes the stain more permanent.
• Before starting on the stain, test stain removal agents on a seam or hidden area of the garment to be sure the color or finish of the fabric is not affected.
• Avoid excessive rubbing of the fabric unless the fabric is touch and durable. Rubbing can spread the stain or damage the fibers, finish or color of the fabric.
• Do not press or iron stained fabrics until the stain is completely removed. Heat sets most stains.
• Wash heavily stained garments separately. Soil and stains can be redeposited on cleaner clothing during laundering. Never wash family clothes with pesticide-soiled clothes.*
• Avoid using hot water on stains if you do not know what the content of the stain is.
• Use the water temperature recommended on stain removal products and detergents. Hot water should be between 120 and 140 degrees, warm water between 85 and 105 degrees and cold water between 65 and 75 degrees. Water below 60 degrees is too cold for detergents to be helpful.
An informative and easy to use website is available at web.extension.illinois.edu/stain/index.cfm. It has a thorough index of different types of stains and what and how to remove the stains.
*If full-strength liquid concentrate pesticide spills on clothes, handle only with rubber gloves and discard clothing immediately. Laundering does not remove concentrate to a safe level for reuse of clothing, even for reuse of rags.
Additional information is available from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. It is publication PM-1663B, Family Pesticide Safety: What to Do When Clothes Are Soiled With Pesticide.
Contact Janell at the Chouteau County Extension Office at 622-3036, janellb@montana.edu or in the Chouteau County Courthouse at 1308 Franklin St in Fort Benton with any questions or for more information.
Montana State University, US Department of Agriculture and Montana Counties Cooperating. MSU Extension is an equal opportunity/affirmative action provider of educational outreach.
