Spit on blood, milk up berries plus 6 more stain-removal secrets
How to treat 8 common stains:
Keeping the four stain-removal rules in mind, here are a few common stains and advice on how to treat them:
1. Blood
Is it a small, controlled stain? A little "spit polish" might do the trick -- blood often breaks down to human saliva. Alternatively, soak the stain with club soda or hydrogen peroxide (on washable fabrics). Caution: Using hot water on a fresh bloodstain will set the stain.
2. Berries
A soak in milk will sometimes take berry stains out. Or try soaking the stain with laundry detergent and work the detergent into the stain.
3. Pet urine
Soak fabric in salt water, rinse and launder.
4. Ink
Try soaking the fabric in milk. No luck? Try scrubbing the ink stain with a toothbrush and non-gel toothpaste. Other remedies include rubbing alcohol and acetone (never on acetates!).
Keeping the four stain-removal rules in mind, here are a few common stains and advice on how to treat them:
1. Blood
Is it a small, controlled stain? A little "spit polish" might do the trick -- blood often breaks down to human saliva. Alternatively, soak the stain with club soda or hydrogen peroxide (on washable fabrics). Caution: Using hot water on a fresh bloodstain will set the stain.
2. Berries
A soak in milk will sometimes take berry stains out. Or try soaking the stain with laundry detergent and work the detergent into the stain.
3. Pet urine
Soak fabric in salt water, rinse and launder.
4. Ink
Try soaking the fabric in milk. No luck? Try scrubbing the ink stain with a toothbrush and non-gel toothpaste. Other remedies include rubbing alcohol and acetone (never on acetates!).
5. Coffee
Need a quick fix in a restaurant situation? Coffee stains will sometimes yield to a simple water and salt scrub.
6. Oil and grease
Rub waterless hand cleaner gently into the stain with your finger, and then rinse with water. Try applying a mixture of 1 teaspoon salt with 4 teaspoons water liberally into the stain.
7. Gum
Chewing gum is much easier to remove from clothing if you freeze the garment first. For persistent bits of gum, take a toothbrush soaked in rubbing alcohol (remember to test the alcohol in an inconspicuous area first!) and work the stain until the gum comes free.
8. Red wine
There are a couple of quick fixes for red wine stains, with the first one being white wine. Try diluting a red wine stain with white wine, then treat with salt and water. Or soak washable fabrics in a solution of 1 teaspoon of laundry detergent per 2 litres of warm water.
Recommended reading
The Royal Guide to Spot and Stain Removal (Pocket Books, 2001) by Linda Cobb
Mary Ellen's Guide to Good Enough Housework (St. Martin's Griffin, 2002) by Mary Ellen Pinkham
Reader Digest's How to Clean Just About Anything (Reader's Digest, 2006)
Haley's Cleaning Hints (Penguin Group, 2004) by Graham and Rosemary Haley
Need a quick fix in a restaurant situation? Coffee stains will sometimes yield to a simple water and salt scrub.
6. Oil and grease
Rub waterless hand cleaner gently into the stain with your finger, and then rinse with water. Try applying a mixture of 1 teaspoon salt with 4 teaspoons water liberally into the stain.
7. Gum
Chewing gum is much easier to remove from clothing if you freeze the garment first. For persistent bits of gum, take a toothbrush soaked in rubbing alcohol (remember to test the alcohol in an inconspicuous area first!) and work the stain until the gum comes free.
8. Red wine
There are a couple of quick fixes for red wine stains, with the first one being white wine. Try diluting a red wine stain with white wine, then treat with salt and water. Or soak washable fabrics in a solution of 1 teaspoon of laundry detergent per 2 litres of warm water.
Recommended reading
The Royal Guide to Spot and Stain Removal (Pocket Books, 2001) by Linda Cobb
Mary Ellen's Guide to Good Enough Housework (St. Martin's Griffin, 2002) by Mary Ellen Pinkham
Reader Digest's How to Clean Just About Anything (Reader's Digest, 2006)
Haley's Cleaning Hints (Penguin Group, 2004) by Graham and Rosemary Haley
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