There’s nothing worse than discovering a stubborn stain on your favourite piece of clothing, or your child’s school uniform. Before you toss the clothes in the wash, cross your fingers and hope for the best, take some time to try these expert stain-removing tips.
How to remove grass stains
Grass stains are notoriously difficult to get out of sports uniforms, but they’re pretty inevitable. Pre-treat the stain by washing with cold water, then gently rub a stain removal product of your choice to the area. Mixing a powder stain remover with water is better than using regular powder detergent alone on grass stains, and gel products work well too. Once you’ve pre-treated the stain, wash as usual with your preferred detergent.
For extra stubborn grass stains
If you suspect a grass stain may be particularly stubborn, you can add an additional pre-treatment step by using a solvent like rubbing alcohol or nail polish remover. Add the solvent to a clean sponge and dab the stained area, then rinse in cold water, pre-treat with a stain remover and wash.
How to remove mud stains
Mud stains on light clothing can be a nightmare. Unlike many other stains, mud is easiest to remove once it’s dried – so letting it dry should always be your first step.Use a stiff brush or old toothbrush to lift away as much of the mud and dirt as you can, then pre-treat the stain with your preferred stain remover and wash as normal.
How to remove sweat stains
Sweat stains leave a nasty discolouration under the arms and a smell to match. The longer you leave sweaty shirts, the stronger the stain sets in. You should try to clean them as soon as possible, handwashing the soiled part under some cold water and gently rubbing laundry detergent on the fabric to loosen up the stain, then rinsing it thoroughly. Once it’s dry, you can wash it with the rest of your laundry without any worries.
Tough sweat stains will require soaking before they can be washed. Mix water with a stain removal powder and soak the shirt for two hours if coloured, or longer for whites. Soaking the shirt in this way will not only remove sweat stains, but also combat the sweat stain smell.
How to remove chocolate ice-cream stains
With chocolate ice cream stains, it’s best to act fast! They’re much harder to remove if it’s had time to soak into the fabric. Start by flushing the stain with a strong stream of warm water on the reverse side of the fabric. Apply a gel stain remover directly to the area and rub gently. Once you’ve pre-treated the stain, wash as per your garment manufacture’s care instructions.
As time is of the essence to remove chocolate ice cream stains, if you’re not at home and can’t access your laundry supplies, use some hand-soap instead. It’ll help with an initial clean until you can give the clothing a proper wash.
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