Sadly, there is no one-size-fits-all stain remover, so that's why we always ask that you share as much information as possible at drop off. There are some stains that are incredibly stubborn, but place that stain on a delicate fabric, then it becomes even more challenging and sometimes impossible to remove.
Greasy / Oil Stains – such as hand lotion, hair mousse, lard and butter. Oxidisable Stains – key ingredient in alcoholic drinks, coffee and tea (without milk) and soft drinks. Particulate Stains – such as mud and ground in dirt. Combination Stains – these stains can be a mix of two or more of the above stain types.
Unfortunately for everyone, some stains are permanent. They simply become part of the fabric. Continued attempts to remove them will cause dye loss or fabric damage, known as chafing or fraying. Many stains are removed by the dry cleaning machine and require no additional effort from the cleaner.
Yes! Vanish is capable of removing old stains as well as new stains.
Pre-treat with a stain remover, then let it soak in. Launder according to the fabric care instructions. Regular stains should come out in cold water but for extra dirty clothing or very tough stains, use the warmest setting safe for the fabric. If the stain remains, repeat the steps above.
If you feel like it's your only option, though, start with diluted oxygen bleach and move on to chlorine bleach if necessary. Really old, stubborn stains sometimes respond best to liquid glycerin. Rub it in, let it soak and then launder again.
Certain types of fibers, such as wool, cotton, silk, and some nylons are particularly susceptible to permanent staining from coffee, tea, wine, etc. Be aware of hot liquids, especially. Of course, bleach and household chemicals (see below) can cause permanent staining as well.
No, Spray 'n Wash® Laundry products should not be left on the garment longer than five minutes, except for Spray 'n Wash stain stick that can be left on for up to a week. Leaving a product on a garment longer than recommended may damage fabrics.
Leaving stain removers like Vanish on your garments for too long can have potentially permanent consequences. One possibility is that Vanish could cause the colour of the fabric to fade visibly in the area where the stain was. Another potential outcome is that it may leave a visible ring around where the stain was.
Letting the stain remover sit too long.
Ironically, some stain removers can cause more damage to fabric if they're left to sit on a stain. Make sure to read and follow instructions, particularly when it comes to how long the stain remover should treat a stain.
If you find a stain on an item that has been through a hot dryer, it doesn't have to be permanent. By using the right laundry products and the right technique, stains that have been dried do come out. Back-to-school cleaning.
Permanent or stubborn stains are typically caused by spillages that are not removed quickly after they occurred. The key to handle such challenging spots is to remove the stains immediately after you discover it.
Stains on clothing and linens can be annoyingly stubborn, but they don't have to remain a permanent feature on your garment. Even notoriously difficult stains like red wine or ink can be removed from most fabrics. For all fabric stains, it's important to act fast and treat the spot as soon as possible.
Often this means going through the various stain treatment cycles (see graphic) more than once (and not simply flinging a garment in the laundry basket in defeat). "The good news is that almost any stain will come out eventually," says Mr. Macpherson.
Old Stains There is often the effect of time upon a stain: the older the stain, the harder it is to remove. Drycleaners who are trained in stain removal prefer to work on fresh stains which have not had time to "set" or react with the fabric, dyes, finish, or atmosphere.
Wipe the stain with a cloth dipped in a solution of washing soda or detergent and water. Rinse well and wipe dry. If any stain remains, cover with an absorbent pad moistened with rubbing alcohol. Let it remain several minutes, then wipe the area with a cloth dampened with ammonia.
By comparison, OxiClean suggests that you don't leave it on a garment for more than six hours, because it can start to damage the fabric. One should still be careful not to use the product on dry-clean-only clothing, but if you're doing laundry late at night, leaving Shout on a stain overnight is a risk-free treatment.
Removal is Not Always Necessary
While it's never a bad idea to sand and strip old stain, doing so can certainly be time-consuming and challenging.
You can use any stain-removing solution you have. Allow it to sit for at least 10 minutes (and up to overnight) and then launder as usual. The stain should be gone, but launder on cool settings and repeat if the stain persists.
Typically, cold water works great on blood, as well as food, beverages and water-based paint, while hot water works best on protein-based stains. Unfortunately, there's no golden rule to stain removal. For example, most food stains should be soaked in cold water, unless it's egg, mustard or a tomato-based product.
In fact, water-based wood stains are usually dry within a few hours of the first coat. Oil-based stains can take up to 3 days to completely dry. After the stain has fully cured, you can seal the project with polyurethane or apply additional coats of stain until you reach the desired shade.
Show some patience, but not too much. You should only wait 1-5 minutes before washing in the warmest water your item recommends. Waiting any longer could mean putting your colors at risk, especially when using Shout® Advanced Ultra Concentrated Gel Brush on bright, khaki, or fluorescent colored clothes.
The most common hard-to-remove stains on our laundry are red wine, coffee, oil, blood, grass, sweat, and ink. While a good laundry detergent will take care of most of the dirt and grime, these stains require more treatment.
1. Chlorine Bleach and Color-Safe Bleach. Diluted household bleach is one of the most effective stain removers for clothes and linens. Always check clothing labels for directions on the use of bleach.