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From cranberries and turkey fat to soot from the chimney and
sap from the Christmas tree -- you are likely to encounter them
all during the Holidays.
As the celebrations wind down, it's time to apply a little
common sense and effort in caring for and laundering garments and
fabrics. Whether you are laundering or dry cleaning, giving
proper care to fabrics has its benefits:
- Maintain a fresh appearance longer.
- Minimize color fading
- Reduce damage to fabric when laundering or dry cleaning
- Extend the life of fabrics, making your money go further.
What to do after you say "Oops"
Remove the stain, or have it removed, as soon as possible.
Most stains are easier to remove when they are fresh. Old or set
stains may not come out.
- Immediately blot or gently scrape off the excess stain or
residue.
- Before treating the stain or taking it to the cleaners,
identify the stain or its location. Some spills may dry
invisible, but will show up later. Mark the location of the stain
if necessary.
- Identify the fiber content of the piece.
- If you use a stain remover, test on an inside seam or hidden
section of the garment to see if the color is affected.
- Work on the wrong side of the fabric to push the stain out
rather than into the fabric. Do not rub. Use
soft, clean, white cloth or paper towels under the stain (on
right side of fabric) as a blotter. Move the blotter frequently
to prevent the stain from being re-absorbed into the fabric.
- Don't use hot water on an unknown stain. Hot water will set
some stains. Begin with cold or warm water.
- Always read and follow directions and safety suggestions
when using commercial stain removal products.
- Work carefully and patiently. Some stubborn stains may
require more than one treatment.
- When dry cleaning, identify the type and location of the
stain.
The top 21 Holiday stains
(Note: Some of the directions below advise against using
soap on a fabric. That's because soap may make a stain permanent
or at least may make it more difficult to remove.)
Apple cider: Launder with detergent in
hottest water safe for the fabric. Do not use soap. Removal of
old stains may require washing with a fabric-safe bleach.
Butter: Pre-treat Light stains with a
spray stain remover, liquid laundry detergent or a detergent
booster. Place heavy stains face down on clean paper towels.
Apply cleaning liquid to the back of the stain. Replace towels
frequently. Air dry; rinse. Launder in hottest water safe for
that fabric. Before drying, inspect and -- if the stain remains -- repeat the treatment and washing.
Candle wax: Harden with ice, then remove
surface wax with a dull knife. Place wax stain between clean
paper towels and press with a warm iron. Replace paper towels
frequently. Sponge remaining stain with a prewash stain remover
or dry-cleaning fluid; blot with paper towels. Let dry, then
launder. If needed, launder again, using a fabric-safe bleach.
Chocolate: Treat the stain with a prewash
spray or pre-treat with a product containing enzymes. Launder. If
the stain remains, launder again with a fabric-safe bleach.
Coffee, tea (plain or with sugar
sweetener): Flush stain immediately with cool water if
possible; or soak 30 minutes in cold water. Rub the stain with
detergent and launder with a fabric-safe bleach. Do not use soap.
Coffee, tea (with cream only): Flush stain
and soak as described above. Then sponge stain with a dry-cleaning solvent. Air dry. Rub with detergent, then launder with
a fabric-safe bleach. Do not use soap.
Cooking oil: Pre-treat light stains with a
spray stain remover, liquid laundry detergent or a detergent
booster. Place heavy stains face down on clean paper towels.
Apply cleaning liquid to the back of the stain. Replace towels
frequently. Let air dry; rinse. Launder in hottest water safe for
that fabric. Before drying, inspect and -- if stain remains --
repeat the treatment and washing.
Cranberries: Launder in hottest water safe
for the fabric. Do not use soap. Removal of old stains may
require washing in a fabric-safe bleach.
Cream sauce, cheese sauce, eggnog, milk:
Soak and agitate fresh stains in cold water before washing. If
the stain is dried or old, scrape or brush off crusted matter and
soak for up to several hours in cold water using a detergent or
an enzyme presoak. Launder in warm (not hot) water. If stain
remains, soak an additional 30 minutes and rewash.
Gravy, hot chocolate: Treat the stain with
a prewash spray or pretreat with a product containing enzymes.
Launder. If stain remains, relaunder with bleach that is safe for
the fabric.
Lipstick: Place face down on paper towels.
Sponge area with dry-cleaning solvent or use a pre-wash soil and
stain remover. Replace towels frequently; rinse. Rub light-duty
liquid detergent into the stain until outline is removed;
Launder. Repeat treatment if needed, using an all-fabric bleach.
If fabrics are colorfast, use liquid chlorine bleach for tough
stains.
Pudding: Follow directions for cream sauce
(above); if necessary follow up by laundering in a fabric-safe
bleach.
Pumpkin pie: Launder in the hottest water
safe for the fabric. Do not use soap. Removal of old stains may
require washing with a fabric-safe bleach.
Salad dressing (oil-based): Pre-treat light
stains with a spray stain remover, liquid laundry detergent or a
detergent booster. Place heavy stains face down on clean paper
towels; apply cleaning liquid to the back of the stain. Replace
towels frequently. Air dry; rinse. Launder in the hottest water
safe for the fabric. Before drying, inspect and -- if the stain
remains -- repeat treatment and washing.
Smoke, soot: Shake excess soot outdoors.
Launder in washing machine using a heavy-duty phosphate-based
detergent or heavy-duty liquid as recommended by the
manufacturer, one cup water conditioner and one-half cup of all-fabric bleach. Use water setting appropriate for the fabric. Air
dry. Inspect for smoke odor. Repeat as necessary. Three or four
washes may be needed for cottons and cotton blends.
Turkey fat: Pre-treat light stains with a
spray stain remover, liquid laundry detergent or a detergent
booster. Place heavy stains face down on clean paper towels.
Apply cleaning liquid to the back of the stain. Replace towels
frequently. Air dry; rinse. Launder in hottest water safe for
that fabric. Before drying, inspect and -- if stain remains --
repeat treatment and washing.
Pine resin (sap from the Christmas tree or
wreaths): Sponge stain with cleaning fluid or pre-treatment stain remover. Air dry. Rub with detergent paste and
launder as usual. If stains persist, apply a few drops of
household ammonia. Air dry; Launder, using liquid laundry
detergent and an all-fabric bleach. If a colorfast fabric, use
liquid chlorine bleach for tough stains.
Wine: Soak stain in cool water. Pre-treat
with a prewash stain remover, liquid laundry detergent or a paste
of powdered detergent and water. Launder in hottest water safe
for the fabric, using a fabric-safe bleach. Do not use soap.
NOTE: Older stains might respond to treatment with an enzyme
product, then laundering.
For more information about stain removal, contact Ann
Zander, Colorado State University Extension agent in
Boulder County, Colorado. Phone: (303) 776-4865; E-mail address:
boulder@coop.ext.colostate.edu, or contact your local
Colorado State University Extension office.
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