Sometimes, we have items made of materials that should not be washed. It could be that the item is made of leather or cloth that should only be dry cleaned. Or the situation doesn't allow you to wash it right away, for example you're at the office or at a party. So, what should be done to overcome these unwanted stains? This article will show you several ways to remove common stains on a variety of fabrics and materials, both washable and non-washable.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Removing Stains on Unwashable Fabrics
Step 1. Identify the types of fabrics that should not be washed
Most clothes have labels that provide basic information on how to wash them. If the label says “dry-clean”, it means the clothes should not be washed. Unfortunately, not all clothes have labels, especially if the clothes are vintage or used clothes. Here are some types of fabrics that tend not to be washed:
- Acetate
- Modacrylic
- Rayon
- Silk
- Wool
Step 2. Use cornstarch or talcum powder to soak the oil stains
Sprinkle cornstarch or talcum powder over the stain, wait 30 minutes, then shake the garment to remove the flour/powder. Soak a piece of cloth in dry cleaning fluid and dab it on the stain. For stubborn stains, continue the cleaning process with vinegar. When you try to clean the stain, you will see the oil stain transfer to the fabric. Make sure you use a clean section of the cloth each time so you don't put the oil stains back on the clothes. Once the stain is gone, dampen a clean cloth with water, and gently clean the area. Let the clothes dry on their own.
- Oily stains include lipstick, mascara, most sauces, and salad dressings.
- If the stain is very thick, try to scrape it off as much as possible with your fingernail or the tip of a spoon.
Step 3. Know what to do about liquid stains
First, absorb as much liquid on the stain as possible using a clean cloth. Next, soak a clean cloth with the cleaner mentioned below and press the cloth against the stain. When you press the cloth against the stain, you will see the stain transfer to the piece of fabric. Make sure you use a clean part of the cloth so you don't transfer the stain back to your clothes. Once the stain is gone, gently press the area with a clean cloth dampened with water. Let the clothes dry on their own.
- Coffee and juice stains: white vinegar
- Ink stain: rubbing alcohol
- Milk or cream stain: dry cleaning fluid
- Red wine stains: rubbing alcohol and white vinegar, or white wine
- Tea stain: lemon water
- Mud stains: dish soap and white vinegar
Step 4. Scrape off any lumpy, thick stains before tackling them
If you drop a lump of dressing or salad dressing on your clothes, scrape off as much of the stain as you can with your fingernail or a spoon. Scrape starting from the outside of the stain and moving inward. Next, dampen a clean cloth with one of the solutions below and gently press the stain with the cloth. Continue to clean the stain with the cloth until the stain is completely removed, then allow the garment to dry on its own.
- Oily stains: dry cleaning fluid
- Stains containing protein: liquid soap
- Mustard stain: white vinegar
Step 5. Remove the stain using a homemade dry cleaning solution
Scrape off as much of the stain as possible with your fingernail. Next, make a dry cleaning solution using coconut oil or mineral oil and a dry cleaning agent in a ratio of 1:8. Pour the dry cleaning solution on the stain, let it sit for a few minutes, then absorb the liquid with a clean cloth. Keep pressing the stain gently with the cloth until the stain is gone. Let the clothes dry on their own.
- Be careful when handling delicate fabrics, such as silk. Silk fabrics are easy to tear and tear.
- This method is very effective for removing nail polish stains.
- Consider placing a cloth under the stain before you apply the dry cleaning solution. The cloth will help absorb the stain and prevent the stain from moving elsewhere.
Step 6. Try using masking tape to remove dry stains on non-washable fabrics
All you have to do is apply a piece of tape to the stain and then pull it off. If the stain contains oil, such as lipstick, there may be residue left on the clothes. Sprinkle a little talcum powder on the stain, tap it with your finger, then shake it off. Repeat this step if necessary.
This method is especially suitable for silk
Step 7. Try using a dry cleaning kit
Kits usually contain a stain remover pen, a plastic zippered pouch, and some cleaning cloths. Begin to run the stain remover pen over the stain. Put the clothes in the bag and also include the cleaning cloth provided. Put the bag in the dryer, and run the machine according to the instructions for use (usually about 30 minutes). When you're done, remove the clothes from the bag and hang them to dry. Be careful because the bag contains a lot of hot steam.
- However, keep in mind that heat tends to make the stain sink deeper into the fibers of the fabric.
- Consider taking your clothes to a professional laundromat. Sometimes, a stain remover pen is not able to completely remove the stain.
Method 2 of 3: Removing Stains on Fur, Leather and Suede Bahan
Step 1. Use a damp cloth to remove small stains from the fur
Moisten a piece of cloth, then dab it on the stain. Do not scrub or brush the stain. Once the stain is gone, press down on the stain with a clean piece of cloth to absorb the excess liquid. Let the hair dry on its own.
Do not use soap for hair
Step 2. Try using sawdust to remove larger stains on the fur
Spread the feathers out on a flat surface. Sprinkle sawdust on the stain and leave it overnight; the sawdust will absorb the stain. Clean the sawdust with a vacuum cleaner the next morning using the upholstery nozzle on a low setting. Higher settings can damage the fur.
- Furriers (people who prepare and handle animal fur) use this method to clean fur.
- Consider taking your fur coat to a professional laundromat or furrier for tough stains.
Step 3. Use a solution of soap and water to clean the stains on the leather
Mix liquid soap and filtered water in a ratio of 1:8, then pour it into a spray bottle. Shake the bottle to mix the two ingredients, then spray the solution on the clothes. Wipe the stain with a damp cloth. Try to move the fabric in the direction of the skin texture, not against it. Once the stain is gone, let the leather garment dry on its own. Keep away from sunlight. Consider treating the stain with a leather conditioner to keep it supple.
- Use a mild soap, such as face wash or dish soap.
- If you can't get filtered water, use bottled or distilled water.
- Never spray cleaning fluid directly on leather. Doing so will cause the skin to become too moist, and will eventually damage it.
Step 4. Use masking tape to remove dirt from patent leather (a type of leather that is treated with a protective coating), then remove the tape
The tape will lift the dirt. Some people say that this method is also effective for removing lipstick stains from leather.
Step 5. Use hairspray to remove permanent marker stains from leather
Spray the stain with hairspray, then wipe with a clean cloth or towel. Clean the remnants of hairspray, then apply a leather conditioner to keep the skin soft and supple.
Step 6. Take a special brush for suede and use it to remove stains on suede clothes
The bristles will also help loosen the lint and make it easier to clean. Sometimes, you just need to do this to remove stains from suede.
- If you don't have a special suede brush, you can use a regular eraser in a pinch.
- A piece of musty bread can be used to remove dirt stains.
Step 7. Try using cornstarch to remove stains from suede
Sprinkle cornstarch over the stain. Leave it for a few hours or overnight, then buff the stain with a special suede brush. The cornstarch will absorb the stain, and the brush will remove the cornstarch.
- This method is perfect for oil and sweat stains.
- If you don't have cornstarch, try cornstarch.
Step 8. Try steam cleaning suede
Hang clothes in the bathroom after you shower with hot water. The steam will help remove certain stains. If necessary, brush off the stain using a special suede brush.
Step 9. Use a cleaner for suede or leather for stubborn stains and follow the directions on the package
Make sure you use a leather cleaner that's made specifically for the type of leather you're working with. The wrong type of cleaner can damage leather garments. Most leather cleaners will list the type of leather the cleaner is suitable for, and most leather garments have a label that says the type of leather used to make them. The same goes for clothes made of suede.
You may need to apply the cleaner to the entire garment to prevent discoloration from causing the skin to look striped
Method 3 of 3: Removing Stains on Washable Fabrics
Step 1. Use masking tape to remove dry stains
If your clothes get dirt, chalk or foundation, apply a piece of tape to the stain and remove it. Repeat this process until the stain is gone. If necessary, rinse off any residue with water.
Step 2. Try cleaning the stain with water first
You can simply press down on the stain with a damp cloth, unless the stain contains oil. Sometimes, that's all you need to do to get rid of the stain. You can also use club soda or sparkling water in an emergency. If possible, rinse the stain from the inside of the garment. If you're at the office or at a party, try removing the stain by gently applying a damp towel or tissue a few times.
- Most sauce stains contain oil. Mascara and lipstick stains also contain oil. Do not use water to treat such stains, especially sparkling water or club soda.
- If your clothes are stained with coffee, sprinkle a little salt first, then use club soda or sparkling water to rinse.
Step 3. Use baking soda, cornstarch, or baby powder to remove oily stains
Tuck a piece of cardboard behind the stain to protect the fabric underneath. Absorb as much fluid as possible. Use one of the powders above, and sprinkle a little over the stain. Let stand for a few moments, then clean. The powder will absorb the stain. The powder is perfect for treating oily stains, including sauces.
- Sprinkle baking soda on the stain and let it sit for 30 minutes, then shake it off.
- Sprinkle cornstarch on the stain and let sit for 10 minutes, then shake it off.
- Press baby powder on the stain and leave it overnight. Shake the clothes the next morning to remove the powder.
- Try artificial sweeteners in a pinch. Sprinkle a few sachets of artificial sweetener on the stain and pat vigorously. Allow the sugar to absorb the oil, then use a brush to remove any excess sugar.
- Use baking soda to treat sweat stains. Make a paste by mixing baking soda and water. Then rub it on the stain. Wait for an hour, then rinse.
Step 4. Try water or hairspray to remove blood stains
Start rinsing the stain with cold water. If possible, try rinsing from the inside of the cloth. If the stain hasn't gone away, spray hairspray on the stain, wait a few minutes, then wipe with a damp cloth.
- Sparkling water or club soda can also be used in an emergency.
- If the blood stain is old or dry, soak the stain with hydrogen peroxide.
- Hairspray can also be used to treat lipstick, mascara, and other oil-based cosmetic stains. You simply spray the stain with hairspray and wait for 10 minutes. Gently wipe the stain with a damp cloth.
Step 5. Use dish soap and water to remove cosmetic stains and oily food stains
Remove or scrape as much of the stain as possible. Pour some dish soap on the stain and wait 10-15 minutes. Gently rub the stain with a damp towel. Use circular motions, starting from the edges towards the inside. This will prevent the stain from spreading. When finished, rinse off the soap with water.
- To treat spray tan stains and tinted moisturizer, all you have to do is wipe the stain with a warm sponge and soap. If necessary, rinse off the soap when you're done.
- You can also use shampoo instead of dish soap if you have to. Both are effective at removing oil.
Step 6. Use rubbing alcohol to remove lipstick, ink, and red wine stains
Lay the garment on a flat surface and tuck the paper towel inside the garment, just below the stain. Wet a cotton ball with rubbing alcohol and dab it on the stain. If necessary, repeat the same process on the inside of the garment. Remove the paper towel from inside the garment, and if necessary, rinse the stain with water. Let the clothes dry on their own.
This method is also effective for treating cosmetic blemishes, such as mascara or eyeliner stains
Step 7. Use acetone to remove nail polish stains
Start by scraping off as much nail polish as possible. Then, soak a piece of cloth in acetone, and dab it on the stained area. Once the stain is gone, let the clothes dry on their own.
- You can also use nail polish remover, but it may not be as effective as acetone.
- If you want to treat stains on colored fabric, you may need to test the acetone on a hidden area first, such as the inner hem. Acetone can also dissolve dyes, and can act as a bleach.
Step 8. Work quickly when dealing with red wine stains
To prevent the wine stain from sinking into the fibers of the fabric, sprinkle salt or pour white wine over the stain. Wipe off residue with rubbing alcohol. Rinse the cloth and dry. If the stain hasn't gone away, try the methods below:
- Mix liquid soap and hydrogen peroxide in equal proportions. Gently clean the stain until it is gone.
- Mix 1 tablespoon white vinegar, 1 tablespoon liquid soap, and 2 cups (475 ml) water. Gently clean the stain with this solution until it is gone.
Step 9. Use lemon or hydrogen peroxide to treat stubborn juice or sweat stains
You can simply pour a little lemon juice or hydrogen peroxide on the stain, let it dry overnight, then rinse with water the next morning.
Lemon juice and hydrogen peroxide can dissolve the color. Consider doing some testing in a hidden section first
Tips
- Consider testing your chosen stain removal technique in a hidden area first (such as the inner hem).
- The stain remover stick is pretty easy to use and works pretty well. Carry one in your bag in case of an emergency.
- Read the label on the garment before attempting to treat the stain. Clothes that need to be dry cleaned or delicate fabrics such as silk should be handled with care and can sometimes only be handled by a professional laundromat.
- Try to remove the stain as soon as possible. Once the stain dries and soaks into the fibers, it can be quite difficult to remove.
- You may have to repeat some of the above methods several times to get rid of the stain.
- You may have to try several methods before successfully removing the stain.
Warning
- Do not use vinegar for wool. Some people say vinegar can damage it.
- Some stains will stay and will not go away, especially if they have been too long and have seeped into the fibers of the fabric.
- Do not use bar soap or flake soap to wash off stains on fabrics. Both can allow the stain to sink further into the fibers.
- Never scrub the stain. Handling the stain too hard can cause it to sink further into the fibers of the fabric. This will make the stain more difficult to remove later.
- Do not put stained clothes in the dryer. The heat will cause the stain to soak permanently into the fibers.
