How to get stains out of clothes that have been washed and dried?

Author: Alec Marquardt Sr.  |  Last update: Wednesday, April 9, 2025

Douse the stain with white vinegar, then apply a paste made of equal parts baking soda and vinegar. If this doesn't work, immerse the item overnight in a bucket of water containing a few tablespoons of detergent and vinegar. Rinse and wash the following morning.

How do you get old stains out of clothes that have been washed and dried?

Vinegar and Lemon Juice Soak

Create a solution by combining equal parts white vinegar and lemon juice. Soak the stained area in the solution for 15-30 minutes, allowing the acids to break down the stain. Rinse the garment thoroughly to remove any residue.

Can stains be removed after drying?

Laundry Tip: don't dry a stain If you have a stain and the first wash didn't get it out, do not dry the fabric thinking it will come out next time. Once you dry a strain you've set it and it will be near impossible to get out. Just keep at it until the stain comes out.

Can you get grease stains out of clothes after they've been washed and dried?

HOW TO GET GREASE STAINS OUT OF CLOTHES THAT HAVE BEEN DRIED
  • Dampen the area with water.
  • Use a scrub brush or old toothbrush to work the detergent into the stain.
  • Rinse the detergent with water.
  • Wash with laundry detergent in hottest water possible according to your clothing's label.
  • Allow to air-dry.

How to remove a set-in stain?

If it's a food or beverage stain, soak in white vinegar and dawn dish soap for about a half hour. Rinse and wash as normal in the machine. If it's a blood stain, you may have luck with hydrogen peroxide. If it's a grease stain, rub in Dawn dish soap, then, soak in hot water.

How To Get Old Oil, Grease Stains Out Of Polyester After Washing

Does hydrogen peroxide remove stains?

Hydrogen peroxide is a powerful stain remover, natural disinfectant, and whitening agent – all without leaving harmful residues behind. It's safe for most washable, dye-stable fabrics and works effectively when added to your regular wash cycle or as a pre-treatment solution.

What is a stain that Cannot be removed?

Key Takeaways. Some of the toughest food stains to remove include coffee, tea, gum, peanut butter, mustard, berry juice, tomato-based sauces, baby food, red wine, chocolate, cooking grease and butter.

Does Dawn work as a stain remover?

Dish soap can be applied to stains before you run the wash, to better prevent them from settling into the fabric. Handwashing small loads: Dawn® Platinum can help remove stubborn oil and food stains, making it an ideal option for handwashing small loads of laundry.

What is the best stain remover for clothes?

For our best overall pick, we love Shout's Advanced Grease Busting Foam, which is simple to use and formulated to remove tricky oil and grease stains. We were impressed that it can pretty much tackle just about any stain you throw at it.

Does baking soda remove stains?

When mixed with water, baking soda is an effective stain remover that you can use on almost any stain to lift the dirt and leave the stained item looking clean and fresh again. Mix the baking soda with some water to make a paste and apply it to the stain you wish to remove.

How to get spaghetti stains out of clothes after drying?

White vinegar can be used to remove dried-in tomato stains from synthetic clothes. First dilute a few drops of vinegar in a glass of water. Apply this to the tomato stain and rub it in carefully. Then rinse with cold water and wash the garment normally.

How do you get rid of excess stain after drying?

If you didn't, the stain may still be tacky. You should not apply your clear topcoat until the stain is no longer tacky and has been allowed to dry at least as long as the label recommends. To get rid of the excess stain now, take a cloth dampened with mineral spirits and use that to scrub down the piece.

Can OxiClean remove ink stains?

Do your little artists love to color on everything but paper? OxiClean™ can help fix ink and marker stains, and the worry that goes with it.

Can you get a stain out of clothes after dry cleaning?

Yes, dry cleaning can remove a variety of stains because it uses specialized solvents instead of water. This process is more gentle on delicate fabrics but stronger against stains, extending the life of your clothing and preserving its shape without the risk of shrinkage.

What is the best product to get old stains out of clothes?

Strong Contenders
  • Seventh Generation Laundry Stain Remover.
  • Grove Co. Stain Remover Spray.
  • Carbona Laundry Stain Scrubber.
  • HEX Performance Stain & Stink Remover.
  • Ingredients Matter Stain Stick.

How to get set in grease stains out of clothes?

How to remove old grease stains from shirts & pants
  1. Scrape and blot liquid dish soap (for handwashing), stain pretreatment or liquid enzyme detergent into the stain and let sit for 10 minutes. ...
  2. Soak in warm or hot water for at least 30 minutes. ...
  3. Wash in the warmest water recommended on the care tag.
  4. Line dry.

How do you get stains out of clothes that have been dried?

If the stain is already dry, apply liquid laundry detergent or stain remover and let it sit for 10-15 minutes before rinsing. If the stain persists, apply a paste of vinegar and baking soda for 30 minutes. Rinse again with cold water before laundering.

What is a strong stain remover for fabric?

Here are the top three scorers from our stain remover powder test:
  • Sard Whiter & Brighter Stain Remover Major Stain Types Antibacterial Soaker.
  • Vanish NapiSan Oxi Action Gold Pro Advanced Crystal White Stain Remover.
  • Sard Power Stain Remover Major Stain Types Antibacterial Soaker.

What is the best homemade stain remover?

Mix Dish Soap and Hydrogen Peroxide

Add 2 parts hydrogen peroxide (1 cup suggested). Add 1 part dishwashing liquid (1/2 cup suggested).

Why is Blue Dawn different?

It's the fact that the Platinum product is concentrated, and delivers more of the key grease-fighting, colorless ingredients called “surfactants."

What is the best stain remover trick?

Sponge with white vinegar and rinse again. Repeat, treating the stain with liquid detergent, then with white vinegar until you've removed as much stain as possible. Pretreat with a prewash stain remover and launder with bleach that's safe for the fabric.

Will hydrogen peroxide stain clothes?

Before deciding to use hydrogen peroxide, note that it may bleach or weaken certain fabrics, and can cause stains itself. So use it cautiously and make sure to pretest the hydrogen peroxide on a small, inconspicuous spot on the stained item.

What gets out the worst stains?

Possible agents include hydrogen peroxide or white vinegar applied with a sponge. You can also use lemon juice on white fabrics. Rinse well. Repeat with detergent followed by mild bleaching agent until the stain no longer appears.

Can you remove a stain after its set?

With OxiClean™ Versatile Stain Remover powder, you can remove old stains from clothes even after they have dried, grease and oil stains included. Plus, VSR is color safe, so you can use it to restore the life of old clothes and avoid having to buy new ones!

What is the number one rule of stain removal?

Amongst all the golden rules for stain removal, acting quickly is by far the top of the list. The longer you leave the stain, the harder it will be to remove. As soon as the stain lands, we recommend getting onto it. How quickly and speedily you get to the stain determines how successfully it is removed.

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