October 1, 2024
Red wine, grass, or sweat will no longer slow you down. Our stain guide will help you tackle all your stains, big or small. Stains can be tricky to get out and, once set, can ruin your clothes permanently. Let’s take a look at some of the most common stains and how to tackle them.
Tomato Sauce & Ketchup
As one of the most notorious staining agents, a meal with tomato sauce often merits a wardrobe change into a dark-colored shirt. Messy eaters beware because although it can be removed, tomato sauce and ketchup on clothes don’t take long to do permanent damage.
1. Scrape (not dab) off any excess
2. Rinse the stain with cold water
3. Apply a stain remover directly to the stain and agitate the area with another piece of the garment
4. Wash item with cold water
Blood
Blood often stains if left too long, but if you catch it early, you’ll be able to get your garment looking brand new.
1. Soak in cold water for a few minutes (hot water will set the stain)
2. Use stain remover or bar soap to scrub out the stain
3. Rub the fabric together to remove what is left
4. Rinse and machine wash at a warm temperature
** Use hydrogen peroxide for stains already set, but not if you are working with a delicate fabric
Chocolate
Summer and chocolate are a bad mix for just about everyone. That one candy rolling around in the bottom of your purse? You can bet it has melted onto all the loose change in there too. The candy someone gave your kid? All over their hands, face, and clothes. Chocolate doesn’t have to be the enemy, especially once you know our tried and true trick to removing chocolate stains from garments.
1. Remove all excess chocolate from garment
2. Add strain release directly to the affected area
3. Brush gently with a toothbrush (skip this step with a delicate fabric)
4. Let the garment sit for five minutes
5. Wash in machine on hot
Fruit & Fruit Juice
Popular with messy kids and clumsy smoothie enjoyers, fruit stains are common but easy to remedy. Berries tend to stain more than citrus fruits.
1. Rinse the area with cold water, avoid scrubbing
2. Pour on laundry detergent or stain remover and let sit
3. Wait 20 minutes
4. Run your clothing item on a hot cycle
Grass
Soccer, baseball, and football players – we have the solution to your biggest problem. Grass stains can be unsightly when you’re trying to keep a fresh and clean-looking uniform. It can also be unsightly on your favorite summer dress after you spend an afternoon at a park picnic.
1. Place the stained item on a flat surface
2. Remove any debris of dirt or grass
3. Place paper towels under the stained part of the fabric
4. Mix equal parts water and white vinegar and saturate the stain
5. Wait 5 minutes
6. Use a stain remover to get the last bit out
7. Wash item on a regular cycle
Sweat
As unpleasant as armpit sweat stains might be, there’s an easy fix. From work clothes to uniforms, clothes you wear often (or sweat in often) may develop yellowed or bleached armpits from your sweat.
1. Dampen the area with a wet towel
2. Spot clean with a small amount of oxygenated bleach (if the fabric allows)
3. Allow the stain to be saturated in solution for 15 minutes
4. Gently scrub the affected area with a soft-bristled toothbrush
5. Do not rinse
6. Run the item through a hot water cycle
With our stain guide, you should be able to tackle anything life throws at you. So go for that roll down the hill, drink that glass of red, eat that messy spaghetti and enjoy that melted bar of chocolate. And if you can’t remove your stain with our guide, bring your garments to us and we’d be happy to take care of it!
