Make do and mend - stain removal

On this week's make do and mend we're going to be looking at how to remove stains from fabrics.

How many clothes and sheets have seen a premature departure to the rubbish tip because of a stain? By learning how to deal with such stains you can make your fabrics last longer and this will save you money in the long-run.  
 
There are plenty of commercial stain removal products on the market, but these are often very expensive and rarely deliver as promised. Instead, where possible, we will be looking at tried and tested home remedies that won't hurt your pocket. 

General

To have the best chance of removing a stain, you should act as quickly as you can to treat the fabric. The longer you leave it, the more difficult it will be to remove the stain.

Always check the care labels. This will tell you whether or not the fabric can be machine washed, and what temperatures it will be able to tolerate. If you're unsure how the fabric will react to certain chemicals, be sure to test them out on an inconspicuous area first

As a general rule (though there are exceptions), you should seldom use heat on a stain. Hot water, for example, can cause a stain to become set which will make it exceptionally more difficult, if not impossible, to remove. Ironing over a stain will also have the effect of setting it. 

Bear in mind that some fabrics will be more resilient to chemical and heat treatments than others. Only follow these tips for fabrics that can be machine-washed. 
 

Prevention
Remember: prevention is always preferable to cure. If you're about to sit down to a messy meal like a curry or a pizza, don't dress in your glad rags unless company demands it. If you're working on your car or redecorating your home, dress appropriately in overalls or tattered clothes retained for the purpose of such messy work.  

Food grease

1. Mix bicarbonate of soda and a few drops of water to form a thick paste.
2. Apply the paste to the stain and leave for 30 minutes.
3. Soak the stained area in detergent (which can be diluted with warm water for more delicate fabrics) and leave for between 30 minutes to 2 hours. 
4. Wash at the hottest temperature that the fabric will withstand.
   
   

Curry

1. Soak in warm water.
2. Squeeze out excess water.
3. Dab on a solution of glycerine and water and leave for a hour.
4. Rinse and repeat stage 3.
5. Wash as normal with detergent.
   
   

Chocolate

1. Cool the stain and brush off the excess (if any).
2. Dab with a solution of lukewarm water and detergent.
3. Wash at a cold temperature with detergent. 
   
   

Tea & coffee

1. Rub glycerine into the stain.
2. Rinse.
3. Wash as normal with detergent.
   
   

Red wine (fresh)

1. Cover the stain with salt and leave for 3 hours.
2. Brush away the salt.
3. Soak with white wine for 20 minutes.
4. Rinse.
5. Wash as normal with detergent.
   
   

Red wine (old), red fruit and beetroot

1. Soak the stain in glycerine for 30 minutes.
2. Rinse.
3. Wash as normal with detergent.
   
   

Egg

1. Scrape off the excess.
2. Soak in a solution of borax and water (or salted water) for 30 minutes.
3. Rinse.
4. Wash as normal with detergent.
   
   

Chewing gum

1. Place the fabric in a carrier bag.
2. Freeze for 5 hours.
3. Chip away the excess gum.
4. Rub with white spirit to remove any remaining gum.
5. Wash as normal with detergent.
   
   

Ink

If non-permanent:

1. Wash as normal.

If permanent:

1. Rub away the stain with a cotton bud soaked in methylated spirits.
2. Wash as normal with detergent.
   
   

Oil-based paint

1. Dab with white spirit.
2. Rinse.
3. Wash as normal with detergent.
   
   

Perspiration (Sweat)

1. Soak in a solution of warm water and bicarbonate of soda (or 2 tbs of lemon juice) for 30 minutes.
2. Rinse.
3. Wash as normal with detergent.
   
   

Lipstick

1. Dab the stain with eucalyptus oil or white spirit.
2. Wash as normal.
   
   

Blood

If the blood is fresh:

1. Soak the blood stained item in cold salted water for around half an hour. 
2. Wash as normal. 

If the blood is older and dried in:

1. Soak the fabric in cold water along with a small amount of ammonia. 
2. Dab the stain with a clean rag.
3. Wash as normal with detergent.
   
   

Vomit

1. Scrape away the excess,
2. Rinse in cold water.
3. Soak in a solution of cold water and detergent for 30 minutes.
4. Wash as normal with detergent.
   
   

Grass

1. Soak in a solution of water and washing soda for 20 minutes.
2. Rinse.
3. Wash as normal with detergent.
   
   

Shoe polish

1. Dab with white spirit.
2. Wash as normal with detergent.
   
   

Motor oil

1. Dab the stain with eucalyptus oil or white spirit.
2. Wash as normal with detergent.
   
   

Rust

1. Soak the stain in a solution of lemon juice and salt for an hour.
2. Rinse.
3. Wash as normal with detergent.
   
   

Candle wax

1. Chip away the excess.
2. Sandwich stain between brown paper or kitchen towel sheets.
3. Iron over on a warm setting.
4. Repeat, using new sheets or clean areas of existing sheets.
5. Wash as normal with detergent.
   
   

Conclusion
Before you resign your stained garments to the the trash, it can't hurt to give these remedies a try. You never know: you may find your fabric with a new lease of life.