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Stain Removal Tips

OPH Good Housekeeping & Homemaking

Why not watch our stain removal and cleaning tips videos?

ACCIDENTS WILL HAPPEN. When they do, be prepared with OPH handy stain removal tips:

Unlike dirt and grime that can be removed fairly easily, stains actually bond with the fabric making removal more difficult to remove once set. The sooner we act the easier and more effective our stain removing efforts will be.

Visit our general stain removal techniques to make the most of our individual stain removal tips.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

A

Acids and Alkalis

Immediate action is needed. Hold affected area in the stream of running cold water. to restore colour faded by acid sponge with a weak solution of ammonia and water, followed by chloroform. For alkali stains hold affected area in cold running water then neurtralise any traces by dabbing with white vinegar.

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Stain Removal

B

Beer

Washables

Whenever possible use the highest temperature washing method. if stain persists, sponge with a white vinegar and water solution.(except for acetate fabrics) (1 part vinegar to 5 parts water). Rinse in cold water and if necessary soak in a biological washing detergent then re-rinse. If the stain is still visible, treat with hydrogen peroxide and water solution. (1 part HP to 6 parts water).Test fabric prior to the HP treatment.

Unwashables

Sponge with methylated spirit then rub a small amount of hardened soap into the mark. Allow to dry then brush with a soft nail brush.

Beetroot

Washables

Sponge with cold water then soak in cold water preferably overnight. For persistent stains soak in a biological detergent, alternatively stretch the stained area over a bowl or other recepicle, sprinkle with borax, then pour boiling water over.

Unwashables

Dab with cold water. If staining persists have professionally cleaned.

Furnishings

Spray with soda water or cold water then sponge. repeat as necessary.

Carpets

Treatment as furnishings.

Bird Poo

Washables

Scrape off as much as possible then sponge the area with salt water. soak overnight in a biological detergent. Wash as usual.

Unwashables

Scrape off as much as possible then sponge with a solution of ammonia and water ( 60mls ammonia to 2 litres water) Flollow up by dabbing on white vinegar then sponge off with cold water..

Furnishings

Use dry cleaning fliud.

Carpets

Use dry cleaning fluid.

Biro/ball point pen

Flush repeatedly with methylated spirits. Biro marks can be removed from suede by rubbing with a fine sandpaper. To remove biro from walls brush will a soft nail brush

Blood

Washables

Steep in 1 tablespoon of salt to 1200ml cold water. Follow with a short soak in a biological washing powder or bleach for white fabrics. Alternatively siks may be soaked in a borax and water solution ( 56grams to 0.5 litres of water). Rinse well and wash in the usual way.

Unwashables

First sponge the stain with cold water then apply a thick layer of a paste of starch mixed with cold water to affected area. leave it to dry and absorb the stain then brush of lightly with a soft brush.

Furnishing

Same procedure as unwashables but replace the starch/ water paste with a cornflour paste.

Carpets

sponge with cold water as soon as possible and allow to dry. Repeat until stain fades.

Never use hot water as this will cause blood to harden and make removal more difficult.

C

Chewing Gum

Washables

Scrape off as much as possible then put article in a plastic bag and place in freezer to allow the gum to harden and be easier to remove. Any remaining gum can be removed with methylated spirits.

Unwashables

Furnishings

Place ice cubes on the gum to harden it then pick off. Remove any remaining gum with methylated spirits.

Carpets

Treatment as furnishings.

Chocolate

Washables

Cool the affected area then scrape off as much as possible.Treat with a biological detergent applied to the back of the stain on a pad of tisses. Wash in the usual way.

Unwashables

Cool and scrape off as much of the chocolate as possible. Use a tetrachloride based stain remover to remove remains (remember to test on an unnoticeable area first)

Furnishings

Allow to cool and harden then scrape off as much as possible. treat any remaining stain with a carbon tetrachloride pre mixed solution.

Carpets

Treatment as furnishings.

NB liquid chocolate can be removed by spraying soda water on mthe affected part then sponging with warm water.

Coffee

Washables

Fresh stains can be removed wih a soak in warm water and biological detergent. A mix of hydrogen peroxide and water (1:6) should remove any remaining stains. As an alternative stretch the stained area over a bowl, sprinkle on a small amount of borax and pour over boiling water from a height of about 3 feet. Rinse well then wash in the usual way.

Unwashables

Sponge with a grease solvent. If stain persists, dry clean.

Furnishings

Squirt the affected area with soda water then treat with a carpet shampoo.

Carpets

Treat as furnishings.

Collars and cuffs

Washables

markings are usually caused by body oils therefore the most effective treatment is rubbing hair shampoo into the stain then washing in the usual way.

Crayon

Washables

Dab with a solvent and flush any remaining colour with methylated spirits. Do not attempt to remove any stubborn traces on coloured fabric because of the risk of removing the original colour as well.

Unwashables

Dry clean only.

Furnishings

Dab with methylated spirits.

Carpets

Vacuum to remove any crushed crayon first, then dab with methylated spirits.

Curry

washables

Rinse affected area with warm water then rub in petroleum jelly. Rinse once more before soaking an d washing in detergent. If the fabric is colourfast persistent stains may be removed with a solution of hydrogen peroxide and water (1:6)

unwashables

Sponge with a solution of borax dissolved in warm water. If stain persists, dry clean.

furnishings & carpets

Sponge with a solution of borax dissolved in warm water.

D

Deodorant

Deodorant

Washables

Treat the stain as soon as possible. Try rubbing affected area with pantyhose to remove the stain Alternatively dab affected area with detergent and water or apply white vinegar direct to stain then leave overnight in a white vinegar and water solution. If machine washable, wash garment inside out. Persistent stains may benefit from a poltice of baking soda and water applied to affected area and left overnight. This method of stain removal is not suitable for dark fabrics

Unwashables

Dry cleaning is advisable. Remember to point out deodorant stain. Dye

Washables Immediate treatment is required using cold water to rinse affected area. Follow up with a soak in cold water and detergent preferably overnight. for persistent stains, providing the fabric is not delicate, sponge with a mix of hydrogen peroxide and water (1:6)

Unwashables

Dry clean as soon as possible

Furnishings

Dab with white spirit or dry cleaning fluid. if this fails to remove the stain, professional cleaning is necessary.

Carpets

Treat as furnishings

E

Egg

Washables

Soak the stain overnight in a biological detergent and cold water solution. wash in the usual way.

Unwashables

remove any excess then sponge with salt water. Allow to dry then follow by sponging with detergent and water lather.

Furnishings

Treat as unwashable fabrics.

Carpets

Shampoo affected area.

Eye Make Up

Washables

Try wetting the fabric then applying a small amount of liquid detergent. If stain persists apply oil og eucalyptus followed bt a few drops of ammonia which can be dabbed on with a dry cloth. Rinse with warm water and wash in the usual way.

Unwashables

Treat with a dry cleaning solvent

Furnishings

Treat as unwashables

Carpets

Treat as Unwashables

F

Felt Tip Marker

Washables

Gently work methylated spirit into the stain (working from the back of the stain) then wash as normal. do not use this method on acetate. For persistent stains, dry clean.

Unwashables

Dry clean.

Furnishings

Try using a commercial stain remover followed by a shampoo. For persistent stains dry cleaning is necessary.

Carpets

Treat as furnishings.

Fruit (including juices)

Washables

Fresh stains may be removed by stretching affected area over a recepticle and pouring boiling water through it from a height of two feet. Follow up by washing at the highest permissible temperature for the fabric. old stains may be treated with glycerine. Leave for approximately one hour before pouting boiling water through the stain, then wash in the usual way..

Unwashables

Dry clean

Furnishings

Sponge with dry cleaning fluid, then shampoo.

Carpets

Try blotting the stain then shampoo. Any remaining stain may be removed with white spirit.

G

Grass

Washables Sponge with water, then with rubbing alcohol( 3 parts water to 1 part alcohol) and allow to dry. NB Do not use rubbing alcohol on silk or wool. Dilute in the ratio 6:1 for acetate. Follow up by sponging with lukewarm water and detergent directly into the stain. Rinse and allow to dry. For persistent stains soak in a mixture of water and stain remover for an hour or so then launder in the usual way.

Grease

Washables

Blot fresh stains with tissue or other absorbent paper, sprinkle with talcum powder or corn flower then allow to dry. Gently brush off any excess grease then work liquid detergent into the stain. Hold affected area in the stream of the hot water tap then wash on the highest temperature for the fabric.

Unwashables

Dry clean

Furnishings

Mop up any excess with tissue paper then sprinkle on talcum powder or cornflour. Leave to dry then gently brush away any excess. Shampoo as necesssary.

Carpets

Treat as furnishings

H

Hair Dye

Washables

Vegetable dyes such as henna may be washed out with liquid detergent then rinsed thoroughly. any residue can be treated with household ammonia.

Other dyes should be treated immediately with liquid detergent then white vinegar and wash in the usual way.once left, stains are virtually impossible to remove.

Unwashables

Rinse with warm water immediately.

Furnishings

Sponge with white vinegar

Carpets

Treat as furnishings. http://build18.sitesell.com/cgi-bin/sbi/buildpage.pl

I

Ink

Washables

Ink
Fush immediately with cold water then work in liquid detergent from the back of the stain. rinse with cold water and remove any residue by treating with lemon juice and rinsing with household ammonia. Rinse thoroughly and was in the usual way.

Unwashables

Ink, once dried requires an acid to remove. For white fabrics wet thoroughly with cold water then sponge with a solution of oxalic acid and warm water. Rinse well then wash in the usual way.

Furnishings

Fresh stains can be covered with a layer of Fullers earth and water mixed into a paste. leave to dry then brush out, repeating as necessary.

Carpets

Treat as furnishings.

J

Jam

Washables

Fresh stains should be treated by scraping off as much as possible then soaking in a biological powder prior to washing in the normal way. Once dry stains are more difficult to remove therefore soak over night in a biological powder then wash in the normal way.

Unwashables

Remove as much as possible before it is allowed to dry then dry clean.

Furnishings

Scrape off as much as possible then clean with upholstery shampoo.

Carpets

Scrape off as much as possible then shampoo.

Carefully remove as much as possible from the article. Do not allow the stain to dry, soak in a biological detergent for as long as possible. Wash as normal. Non Washable Fabrics

Remove as much as possible from the article, then dry clean. Carpets and Furnishings

Carefully remove excess, sponge with biological detergent in warm water. Finish off with carpet or upholstery shampoo.

K

Ketchup

Washables

Gently scrape off any excess then hold in the stream of cold running water. Follow up by sponging with warm water and washing up liquid. For persistent stains dab methylated spirits onto the stain. wash as normal.

Unwashables

Gently scrape off any excess then carefully sponge with cold water and blot with tissue paper. Persistent stains require dry cleaning.

Furnishings

Remove any excess, sponge with cold water before applying upholstery shampoo.

Carpets

Treat as furnishings substituting upholsery shampoo for carpet shampoo.

L

Lipstick

Washables

Scrape off a s much as possible with a blunt instrument, then wash at the highest allowable temperature. Do not add detergent. For more persistent stains rub in glycerine, oil of eucalyptus or vaseline prior to washing. Unwashables

Sponge affected area with turpentine then pat dry with a cloth. remember to air thoroughly.

M

M

Mayonnaise
Washables Work heavy duty detergent into the stain then wash on the highest temperature for the fabric. Repeat as necessary for persistent stains

Milk

Washables

For fresh stains soak and agitate in cold water then wash in the usual way. For stale stains, carefully remove any crusting then soak in cold water and pre-wash detergent before washing in the usual way. For persistent stains repeat the soaking in cold water and pre- wash detergent. Whites may require bleaching.

Mucous

Washables

For fresh stains soak and agitate in cold water then wash in the usual way. For stale stains, carefully remove any crusting then soak in cold water and pre-wash detergent before washing in the usual way. For persistent stains repeat the soaking in cold water and pre- wash detergent. Whites may require bleaching.

Mud

Washables Allow to dry then carefully remove any crusting with a nail brush or toothbrush. . For stale stains, carefully remove any crusting then soak in cold water and pre-wash detergent before washing in the usual way. For persistent stains repeat the soaking in cold water and pre- wash detergent. Whites may require bleaching.

N

Washables

Sponge with cold water then dab with moistened salt from the back of the stain. Wash at the highest temperature for the fabric. For persistent stains repeat this procedure.

Unwashables

Dab with moistened salt from the back of the stain. Dry clean if necessary.

O

Oil

Washables Treat with heavy duty detergent or powdered detergent and warm water mixed to a runny paste and applied directly on to the stain. Follow this up with a wash at the highest temperature for the fabric

P

Paint

Acrylic Paint

Washables

Do not allow to dry. Dab with cold water then gently work soap into the stain, repeating until stain disappears. Wash as normal.

Unwashables

Dab with cold water until stain has disappeared then dry clean as soon as possible.

Furnishings

Dab with a solution of cold water and upholstery shampoo.

Carpets

Dab with a solution of cold water and carpet shampoo.

Emulsion

Washables

Treat immediately. Dab with cold water then wash as normal.

Unwashables

Dab with cold water until stain has disappeared then dry clean.

Furnishings

Dab with cold water until stain disappears. Treat persistent stains with upholstery shampoo.

Carpets

Dab with cold water until stain disappears. Treat persistent stains with carpet shampoo.

Oil Based

Washables

Treat immediately. Dab with white spirit then wash as normal.

Unwashables

Dab with white spirit until stain has disappeared then dry clean.

Furnishings

Dab withwhite spirit then clean with upholstery shampoo.

Carpets

Dab with white spirit then wash with carpet shampoo.

Q

R

Rust

Washables

Rub salt and lemon juice into the stain then leave for approximately one hour. Wash in the usual way. Dry cleaning is necessary for persistent stains.

Unwashables

Dry clean

S

Scorch Marks
Washables

Place scorched area in the stream of cold running water, rub gently. Follow up by soaking in warm water and borax ( 1 teaspoon per half litre of water) for approximately 2 hours then wash as normal. Bleaching may be required to remove scorch marks from whites.

Unwashables

Dry clean only

Furnishings

Seek professional help

Carpets

Try rubbing gently with a dampened scouring pad. Remember to test first in an inconspicuous area. For persistent marks seek professional help

T

Tea

Washables Fresh stains should be treated by washing in detergent ) on the highest temperature for the fabric. Do not use soap or detergents that contain soap as this may make the stain permanent. Old stains may require bleaching.

U

Urine

Washables

Soak then agitate in cold water before washing on the normal cycle for the fabric. For persistent stains soak in detergent then repeat the washing cycle.

V

Vomit

Washables

Not pleasant but don't panic. Remove as much as possible then soak overtnight in biological washing powder. Rinse in cold water then wash in the usual way.

Unwashables

Remove as much as possible then sponge with dry cleaning fluid

Furnishings

Remove as much as possible then sponge with warm water and detergent solution.

Carpets

Remove as much as possible then spong with soda water. Repeat as necessary.

W

Wine

Washables

Cover the stain with salt then leave to absorb. For more persistant stains, rub with lemon juice or soak in a solution of hot water and borax (28 grammes to 0.5 litres). Remember to rinse well then wash in the usual way.

Unwashables

Sponge the stain with borax solution, repeating as necessary then rub with a dry cloth.

Furnishings

Cover the stain with salt then rinse with warm water.

Carpets

Cover with talcum powder then vacuum. Repeat as necessary.

Water Marks

Hold affected area in the steam of a boiling kettle or pan. shake frequently then dry with a warm iron. Be very careful when using this method to avoid scalding.

Wax

Washables

First set the wax by placing the article in the freezer, then break off as much wax as possible. Use blotting paper to absorb the grease; place one sheet over and one sheet under the stain, then press with a warm iron, changing the paper as necessary. For silks and delicate fabrics repeat the procedure as above substituting blotting paper for tissue paper and using a cooler iron. Stubborn marks may be removed with dry cleaning fluid..

Unwashables.

Same procedure as washables

X

Y

Z

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