We’ve all done it – spilled red wine on our new white blouse, cut our finger and bled onto our favorite tee, or not knowing our own strength, squeezed the mustard bottle so hard that it exploded all over the place, including on our brand new outfit. Here a few tips for tackling common stains (we recommend however, that you consult your professional dry cleaner for all your nonwashables – Dry Clean Only – items):
Lipstick:
Washables: An oil solvent usually works well to remove lipstick. Carbona is a good oil solvent – apply, allow it to dry. Remove any residue then treat with a liquid soap (Woolite is always a good choice) and a tiny bit of water. Rub gently to form suds and rinse. Use an eyedropper and diluted ammonia to bleach any remaining color. Rinse with cool water.
Nonwashables: Follow the same instructions for washables, however use diluted vinegar bleach instead of ammonia, which corrodes wool and silks.
Red Wine:
Washables: Cover the stain with salt and stretch the fabric over a bowl. From about one foot above, pour boiling water from a kettle. Believe it or not, the gravity helps to remove the stain.
Nonwashables: Use an oil solvent (Carbona) and let dry, removing residue. Using an eyedropper, drop diluted vinegar to bleach any remaining color and flush thoroughly with water.
Mustard:
Washables: An eyedropper with diluted ammonia will bleach the color. Use a combination solvent like Shout and let sit for 15 minutes. Finish with a regular wash cycle.
Nonwashables: Use an eyedropper and diluted ammonia to bleach the color. Apply a combination solvent (Shout, Spray ‘n Wash) and let it set for 15 minutes. Thoroughly flush the spot with cool water.
Italian Salad Dressing:
Washables: Begin with talcum powder or cornstarch and shake it on the stain to soak up as much oil as possible. Scrape off the excess and rinse with cool water and apply a combination solvent (Shout, Spray ‘n Wash) and wait 15 minutes. Wash in regular wash cycle.
Nonwashables: Begin with talcum powder or cornstarch and shake it on the stain to soak up as much oil as possible. Scrape off the excess and let dry then follow with an application of an oil solvent (Carbona). Let that dry and scrape off any remaining residue.
Blood:
Washables: The secret most doctors and nurses use to remove blood from clothing is hydrogen peroxide – it oxidizes blood. Soak cotton or an absorbent piece of cloth in hydrogen peroxide and then blot the areas of blood. Let the hydrogen peroxide work – it will bubble up a bit and soon the blood will begin to dissipate. Continue blotting with a dry cloth until the blood is gone. Don’t worry – hydrogen peroxide won’t hurt most materials.
Nonwashables: Treat with cold water and then use an eyedropper and diluted vinegar to bleach the color. Flush the area thoroughly with cool water.
