Five Tough Stains and How to Get Rid of Them
by Carolyn Lee Oct 26, 2020
Red wine, blood, rust, ink and coffee stains are among some of the most stubborn stains to remove from clothing.
If you don’t act quickly, your outfit could become permanently stained and, in some cases, rendered useless.
These stubborn stains can be especially annoying if they occur on fancy white outfits.
We are taking a quick look at a few options that could effectively eliminate these stains.
To tackle this stain, apply sparkling or soda water to the affected area. Use hair spray on the stain. Let it stand for a few minutes before washing with an enzyme-based detergent at high temperatures.
Some experts recommend using the Wine Away™ red wine stain remover as an effective and useful alternative for eliminating this type of stain.
First, rinse with cold water. Then use a bar of soap to rub the area. Lather gently. If the fabric is light, you can dab the stain with a cotton swab that has hydrogen peroxide on it. You can also dab a bit of diluted ammonia on the stain by using a cotton swab.
Wash the clothing using an enzyme-based detergent, which will help to break down protein stains. After laundering, check to ensure that the stain is gone before drying. Heat will cause the stain to set. Other items that can be used on bloodstains include vinegar, ammonia and corn starch.
Once you notice the stain, immediately apply liquid soap and water. Leave the stain to sit for up to five minutes. If it is an old stain, let it soak for approximately 30 minutes after applying the detergent.
Check on it periodically by lightly rubbing the area where the stain is to see if the stain is loosening. If the stain is gone, rinse and dry. If not, allow the clothing to sit for an additional 15 minutes before rinsing. Other household items that can be used on coffee stains include white vinegar, baking soda or club soda.
Rust stains may not be very common, but like the other stains on the list, can be tough to eliminate. In some cases, these stains can prove impossible to remove. However, if it’s a piece of clothing that you love, it’s worth trying to eliminate them. Add salt to the area that has the rust stain, and then squeeze lemon juice on the salt.
Put the garment in the sun to dry. Rinse in cold water. For dark clothing, this the salt and lemon juice on an area of fabric that is inconspicuous first to ensure that bleaching does not occur.
There are also several types of ink stains that include water-based, permanent ink and ball point ink stains.
Water-based ink stains are usually easy to remove. Put water on the stain and use a clean cloth to blot the spot. Add detergent to the stain and leave it for up to five minutes. Wash in warm water. Check to see if the stain is gone. If not, repeat the process.
Another method is to place paper towels under the stained area. Then, use a cotton ball soaked in rubbing alcohol to press on the area until the stain fades.
Permanent stains are more difficult to remove. The stain may fade instead of disappearing for good. Use rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab to press firmly on the affected area. Check to assess if the ink stain is fading. If it has faded, rinse the garment. If the stain is still bright, try using acetone or nail polish remover. Repeat the process.
To remove ballpoint ink stains, apply the same process outlined for permanent ink stains. However, instead of using acetone or nail polish try shaving cream.
We hope these DIY methods help.
However, when you need professional dry-cleaning services, search our Find Yello listings.
Sources: Good housekeeping, PG Every Day, Real Simple, and The Spruce.