Effective Stain Removal

When it comes to stain removal on clothing, the old wives tales seem to work the very best at times, and then you have the new tricks and tips. See if you can find some tips on removing stains here, that you haven’t heard of before.

Tip Number 1. Soak red wine stains in white wine, then cover the stain with a thick baking soda paste. Let it sit a few hours, then wash as usual.

Tip Number 2. Remove white deodorant marks from a garment by gently rubbing the protective foam used on dry-cleaning hangers against the fabric.

Tip Number 3. If you get an oil stain on your favorite leather handbag (Chanel, maybe?), coat the mark with baby powder and let it stand overnight. By morning, the stain should be gone. If a bit still remains, repeat the process until the stain is completely gone.

Tip Number 4. Due to its high level of surfactants, Dawn dish detergent is especially successful at removing grease and oil stains from clothing.

Tip Number 5. Use shaving cream and a washcloth to remove liquid makeup from shirt collars.

Tip Number 6. If you get wax on a piece of clothing, layer wax paper over the hardened wax and then run an iron over it to loosen it up. Once you pull off the paper, the wax should come right out with it.

Tip Number 7. To clean dirt off suede, remove the crust from a piece of bread and allow it to become stale. Gently rub dirt and stains with the edge of the stale bread, and they’ll disappear. To de-scuff suede, use an eraser or nail file.

Tip Number 8. Use hairspray to remove a lipstick stain.

Tip Number 9. If blush or bronzer breaks in your handbag, pre-moistened makeup removing wipes will clean up the loose powder flawlessly.

Tip Number 10. Spritzed some perfume onto your silk dress by accident? Apply a few drops of denatured alcohol on a cheesecloth pad and sponge the area from the outside in.

Tip Number 11. To remove stubborn sweats stains, apply a mixture of cream of tartar, crushed aspirin, and warm water to the area. Wait twenty minutes, then rinse with warm water.

Tip Number 12. To remove watermarks from leather boots, add a few drops of vinegar to a bowl of cool water and scrub the stains with a soft bristle brush until stains are no longer visible. Let dry overnight.

Tip Number 13. Windex restores the glossy sheen on patent leather without doing any damage.

Tip Number 14. Use a lemon wedge to remove excess or streaky self-tanner on your body.

Tip Number 15. Spilled coffee or tea? Sponge the stain with lukewarm water before gently blotting with a bit of glycerin.

Tip Number 16. Spray shirts prone to sweat stains with lemon juice before washing. The natural acid dissolves alkaline sweat reside that could cause yellow discoloration.

Tip Number 17. If you’ve dripped chocolate onto a silk garment, scrape off as much as possible with a blunt edge, then gently brush the stain with warm, soapy water. If the brown mark remains, sponge it with a solution of equal parts denatured alcohol and household ammonia, then rinse it with warm water. Learn more about getting chocolate stains out of other fabrics.

Tip Number 18. Fresh blood stains are best removed by soaking the garment in cold water with a sprinkle of ammonia for 20 minutes. If the stain has already set, dampen it with warm water, then apply some unseasoned (this is important) meat tenderizer, making a paste over the stain. Cover with a paper towel and make sure it stays moist. The next day, rinse off the paste with water mixed with a little bit of ammonia and wash normally.

Tip Number 19. To remove ink stains on cotton, gently use rubbing alcohol, then wash. If it’s on polyester, spray liberally with hair spray and pat with a clean, dry cloth, before throwing the item into the machine.

Tip Number 20. Remember: When it comes to stains, never forcefully rub the stain — this further ingrains marks. Instead, always blot.