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Acids
Act
quickly so that acid cannot damage the cloth. Sprinkle the stain with
baking soda, dampen with water and allow to stand till bubbling stops.
Rinse well in warm water. Alternatively, hold the dampened stain over
an open bottle of household ammonia so that the fumes can neutralize the
acid. Rinse well.
Adhesive Tape
Sponge
or soak the dry fabric stain with a suitable laundry pre-soak (spot stain
remover) or in a grease solvent or kerosene. Kerosene will make the cloth
oily, so if used, must be followed by washing in warm soapy water.
Alcohol
Always
treat these as soon as possible. Often stains are almost colorless at
first, but turn brown on standing, washing and ironing. Fresh stains can
be removed by sponging several times with warm water. If there is any
mark left, pour glycerine on the dampened stain, rub lightly between the
hands and leave for half an hour. Rinse in warm water. More stubborn stains
may be sponged on dry fabric with equal quantities of methylated spirits
(wood alcohol) and ammonia (test on colours first) or laundry pre-soak
(spot stain remover). Rinse well in warm water. If any stain is left on
white material, a laundry bleach may be used. Choose and use your bleach
according to instructions given earlier.
Alkali's
Alkali's,
such as washing soda and ammonia, or cuticle remover, may destroy colour
and rot material. Rinse at once in equal quantities of vinegar and water.
Rinse well in warm water. If colour has been affected this cannot be corrected.
Ball-Point Ink
See
under Ink for stain removal suggestions
Baby Oil
Rub
some dishwash liquid into the stain, leave for 10-15 minutes, then hot
wash (60-65ĄC) using your normal laundry detergent. If any stain remains,
repeat the process. For unwashable fabrics or articles, see under Butter.
Bleach
Treat
immediately in copious amounts of cold water. For chlorine bleach, add
1 Tbsp. vinegar in each 600 mls water. If the colour has been removed
by the bleach, it cannot readily be restored, but try holding in fumes
from an open bottle of ammonia.
Blood
If
fresh, sponge with cool salted water (1tsp : 600 ml water) and rinse with
clear water. Should stain persist, soak in a diaper wash/sanitiser from
the supermarket that contains sodium percarbonate - read the diaper wash/sanitiser
label for the chemical make-up of the product (may state sodium carbonate
peroxohydrate or oxygenated bleach). Sodium percarbonate is derived from
a manufacturing process of concentrated solutions of sodium carbonate
and hydrogen peroxide (sodium carbonate peroxohydrate) therefore you could
try using the hydrogen peroxide suggestion first. Or you can try any of
the following suggestions, and they are in no particular order... Dilute
hydrogen peroxide (1 part : 9 parts water). Purchase the strongest solution
available from a pharmacy - usually "20 Volume". Rinse well. Sponge with
a 10% solution of Oxalic Acid, warmed to about 45ĄC. Rinse well. Sponge
with dilute ammonia (1 Tsp. : 600 ml). Rinse well. For thick or unwashable
articles, e.g. mattresses, carpets, sprinkle with pepsin powder (from
your pharmacy), or spread with a thick paste of raw starch and water,
leave to dry, then brush off. Repeat if necessary.
Blue
Rinse
fresh marks in cold water. Soak any more difficult stains in a solution
1 Tbsp. vinegar in 1200 ml of warm water. Wash as usual.
Boot Polish
Sponge
with a laundry pre-soak (spot stain remover) or with dry cleaning fluid.
Butter, Cream & Fatty
Stains
Wash
in warm sudsy water if a washable fabric. If not, sponge dry fabric with
a grease solvent, e.g. laundry pre-soak (spot stain remover) or dry cleaning
fluid.
On upholstery and
carpets, use the absorbent powder treatment, followed by a shampoo with
liquid detergent, such as a Carpet/Rug Shampoo, a good quality laundry
liquid or Quilt/Wool Wash. Avoid wetting backing of carpet or fabric,
or discoloration occurs. Do not use grease solvents, e.g. dry cleaning
fluid, on carpets or fabrics with rubberised backing.
On wallpaper, scrape
off as much as possible, then use warm iron and absorbent paper. Treat
remaining stain with paste of cornflour and a grease solvent. Allow
to dry, brush off, and repeat if necessary.
Candle Wax
Candle
wax and chewing gum can be effectively removed by placing the object that
has been stained into a freezer until the staining agent is quite hard,
and brittle, then the material can be literally shattered off the object
that has been stained. ...then treat any residue as follows: place the
stain between clean, white blotters and press with a warm iron, changing
the blotter as it becomes soiled. Then sponge with dry cleaning fluid
or a laundry pre-soak (spot stain remover). In the case of coloured wax
there may still be a colour stain. Sponge with a liquid made by adding
_ c of methylated spirits (wood alcohol) to _ c water.
Carbon Paper & Transfers
On washable
fabrics heavy suds of soap and water are usually successful. Otherwise,
sponge over a pad with methylated spirits (wood alcohol), following with
a cold water sponge.
Chewing Gum
Scrape
away as much as possible first. Rubbing the stain with ice will harden
the gum and make this easier, especially on rugs and other heavy materials.
Refer further under Candle Wax If the material is washable, soak in kerosene
and wash in hot soapy water. For unwashable articles, use dry cleaning
fluid. Several applications may be necessary.
Chocolate & Cocoa
First scrape
off as much as possible with a dull knife. Hot soapy water will then remove
fresh stains from washable articles. If a brown stain remains, soak in
a solution of a diaper wash/sanitiser container sodium percarbonate followed
by a good rinse in warm water. For unwashable materials, sponge with dry
cleaning fluid. Allow to dry. Repeat as necessary with a clean portion
of pad beneath. If any mark remains, sponge with equal quantities of methylated
spirits (wood alcohol) and household ammonia (test on colours first).
Follow with warm water. A spray-on dry cleaner may be used.
Cod Liver Oil
Fresh
cod liver oil stains can be removed successfully, but old stains set by
washing and ironing are almost impossible to remove, even with bleach.
Wash very fresh stains in warm water and a good quality laundry liquid
or any one of the concentrated Laundry Powders available, applying a little
neat liquid detergent to the stain. Stubborn stains on all fabrics respond
to soaking in a diaper wash/sanitiser container sodium percarbonate. Wash
as usual.
Coffee & Tea
Remove
fresh stains from cotton and linen materials by first rinsing in warm
water then pouring boiling water from a height of 2 - 3 feet onto the
stain. Follow by washing in soapy water. If a trace remains, bleach in
the sun, or with a diaper wash/sanitiser container sodium percarbonate.
Tea stains on cottons and linens can also be removed by soaking in borax
and water (1 Tbsp. borax in 1 c of warm water). Stains on wool and silk
or any fabric may be sponged with lukewarm water, then apply glycerine,
rubbing lightly between the hands. Let stand for half an hour. Rinse with
warm water. If a grease spot remains from cream, sponge with dry cleaning
fluid.
Crayons
Treat
as for Candle wax. If on wallpaper, after scraping cover with blotting
or brown paper, iron with warm iron, shifting paper repeatedly. Final
traces may be covered with a paste of cornflour and cleaning fluid. Allow
to dry, brush off and repeat if necessary. Go to Crayola's Stain Removal
Tips for helpful hints on removing art material stains from clothes, walls
and other tough spots!
Deodorants & Antiperspirants
Sponge dry fabric
stain thoroughly with a laundry pre-soak (spot stain remover) and warm
water. Rinse. If some stain remains, use a chlorinated laundry bleach
or a diaper wash/sanitiser container sodium percarbonate. Antiperspirants
may cause fabric damage and colour damage in some dyes. Colour may be
restored by sponging with ammonia. Dilute ammonia with an equal volume
of water for use on wool or silk. Rinse well.
Dyes & Running Colours
These are difficult
to remove and no one treatment is successful in all cases. Immediate copious
rinsing in tepid water, forcing the water through the stain, is sometimes
effective. Washing and sunning will gradually bring results in some cases.
Equal parts of methylated spirits (wood alcohol) and ammonia may also
succeed. White fabrics may be bleached. Use a chlorinated laundry bleach
or a diaper wash/sanitiser container sodium percarbonate for linens and
untreated cottons, hydrogen peroxide for silk, wool and delicate fabrics.
Dye - Setting
Common
household salt can be used to "Set Dyes" at a rate of quarter to half
a cup per wash tub load. Leave to soak half an hour, rinse, then hang
to dry. Salt is a common additive to Laundry Powder formulations. Among
it's many uses, salt minimises the risk of "running dyes" when laundering
garments.
Egg
Scrape
away as much as possible. Sponge with lukewarm water. Never use hot water,
as heat hardens the stain. If this does not succeed, spread the stain
with a paste of cream of tartar and water, adding a crushed aspirin to
the paste. Leave for 20 - 30 minutes. Rinse well in warm water. OR use
a diaper wash/sanitiser container sodium percarbonate.
Fruit Juices & Berries
Fresh stains
are easy to remove, but once dry, they are very obstinate. Treat with
cool water first and follow up, if necessary, by soaking in a chlorinated
laundry bleach or a diaper wash/sanitiser container sodium percarbonate.
Rinse. White cottons and linens may be stretched over a basin and boiling
water poured through from a height. Any remaining stain may be removed
with chlorinated laundry bleach. Coloured fabrics or washable silk, etc.,
may be soaked in a diaper wash/sanitiser container sodium percarbonate
or a warm borax solution (1 Tbsp. : 1 c water), or covered with a paste
of cream of tartar and warm water. Leave half and hour or until stain
goes, then rinse well. For persistent stains apply equal quantities of
methylated spirits (wood alcohol) and ammonia. Rinse well after treatment.
This method is safe for all fabrics, except triacetate (e.g. Tricel).
Dilute mixture with an equal quantity of water for fabrics with fugitive
dyes. Old stains may be softened in glycerine before treatment. Damp stain,
apply glycerine, leave 1 - 2 hours, then add a few drops of vinegar, leave
5 - 10 minutes and rinse well.
Glues, Gums & CelluloseAdhesives
Soaking in cool
water will remove water-soluble glues, e.g. casein glue. For waterproof
varieties, use spirit solvent, e.g. methylated spirits (wood alcohol)
or amyl acetate (test before using on synthetic fabrics). Artificial Nail
glue can be removed used acetone (test on an inconspicuous area first).
Acetone evaporates quickly, so hold a wad of absorbant paper or soft cloth
against the glue, and soak the acetate through from the other side. (The
glue soaks on to the wad of absorbant)
Grass & Other Garden
Foliage
Soak
in a solution of a chlorinated laundry bleach or a diaper wash/sanitiser
container sodium percarbonate. OR sponge with methylated spirits (wood
alcohol). Remove this with warm water and where possible wash the article
using Laundry powder or Liquid.
Ice Cream, Milk &
Cream
For washable
materials, first sponge with lukewarm water, then wash as usual. If the
material is not washable, sponge with dry cleaning fluid then with cold
water.
Indelible Pencil
Do
not use water as this spreads the stain. Sponge over a pad of soft cloth,
using equal quantities of methylated spirits (wood alcohol) and household
ammonia (test coloured fabrics first). Should the colours run, try methylated
spirits (wood alcohol) alone. Rinse or sponge with warm water.
Ink
Because
INKS differ in composition it is impossible to find removers that are
equally effective for all types of ink spots. The following is a range
of suggestions from which you can choose. The best treatment we have discovered
is using a D'limonene based product. (read our notes on each product HERE),
however, General Instructions using D'Limonene are:- Dry the stained area.
Mix together 3 parts dishwash liquid with 1 part of D'limonene. Soak the
stained area in this solution for 10-15 minutes. After the soak time,
rinse in water as hot as is suitable for the fabric, then wash as usual,
but preferrably with a Laundry Liquid. This treatment may require repeating.
Other treatments you can try include the following... Ballpoint Pen Ink:
First, saturate material with an alcohol-based hair spray (this seems
to be a very popular method). The alcohol content in the hair spray will
break up the ink. Be sure to place an absorbent paper towel or rag under
the stain to catch the excess. You then need to blot the stain with a
rag. Repeat the process until the stain is removed, then launder as usual.
A word of caution before trying this method: some fabrics may be damaged
by the hair spray solution. If in doubt, test on an inconspicuous area
first, or consult with a professional dry cleaner. Water Based Inks: Try
an all-purpose cleaner instead of hair spray. Be sure to place an absorbent
paper towel or rag under the stain to catch the excess. You then need
to blot the stain with a rag. Repeat the process until the stain is removed,
then launder as usual. A word of caution before trying this method: some
fabrics may be damaged by the cleaning solution. If in doubt, test on
an inconspicuous area first, or consult with a professional dry cleaner.
NOTE: If the stain is still wet, apply an absorbent - french chalk, talcum
powder, starch or salt - to absorb excess ink and stop it from spreading.
Continue this treatment, removing the discoloured powder and applying
fresh, until there no further change is achieved. Alternatively, take
up excess ink with blotting paper, pressing fresh patches of blotter into
the stain until it no longer discolours. Then treat as required. These
suggestions are also suitable for dried writing ink, ball point pen, or
marking ink. Soak the stain in "sour" milk - this is an old fashioned,
but effective method. Fresh milk also works, but sour milk is faster.
Sponge or dip the stain in equal quantities of methylated spirits (wood
alcohol) and household ammonia (test on coloured fabrics first). Rinse
in warm water. Rinse again in warm water containing a little ammonia,
then finally in fresh water. Sponge with pure Dettol. If not effective,
try iso-propyl alcohol or dry cleaning fluid (from chemist).
Iodine
Very
fresh stains can often be removed by normal washing or by moistening the
stain with water and placing in the sun or before a radiator. If not successful,
apply a solution of 1 tsp. sodium thiosulphate, (from chemist) in 1cup
warm water. Rinse well.
Light Oils,e.g. sewing
machine, hair oil, baby oil etc.
Rub
some dishwash liquid into the stain, leave for 10-15 minutes, then hot
wash (60-65ĄC) using your normal laundry detergent. If any stain remains,
repeat the process. For unwashable fabrics or articles, see under Butter.
Lipstick & Other Cosmetics
e.g.
eyeshadow, mascara, blusher - washing with your usual laundry product
may remove these stains. Pre treat the dry fabric stain with a laundry
pre-soak (spot stain remover). On an unwashable fabric, first try dry
cleaning fluid. If stains are stubborn, sponge with equal quantities of
methylated spirits (wood alcohol) and household ammonia. (Test on coloured
fabrics first). If colour fades, reduce ammonia by half and test again.
Rinse in warm water, or wash if possible.
Medicines
Try
to find out from doctor or chemist what the medicine contains, as this
will aid in selecting the correct treatment: e.g. iron tonics - treat
as for iron rust: medicines containing alcohol, rinse with methylated
spirits (wood alcohol), etc. Where contents cannot be discovered proceed
as for "Unknown Stain".
Mildew
Treat
as soon as discovered, before the mould has time to weaken the cloth.
Slight, fresh stains can often be removed by washing with your usual laundry
product and drying in the sun. Otherwise, try these methods in turn, proceeding
carefully with coloured articles:
a] Chlorinated laundry
bleaches may be used for white untreated cottons and linens, according
to general instructions given by the manufacturer. Rinse thoroughly before
washing.
b] Vinegar added to the final rinse will help remove any traces of smell
remaining from the bleach.
c] A diaper wash/sanitiser container sodium percarbonate is safe on all
white and coloured fabrics.
Motor Grease & Heavy
Motor Oil
Scrape
away as much as possible. For washable materials, rub lard or Vaseline
into stain or treat dry fabric with a laundry pre-soak (spot stain remover).
Wash in a quality Laundry powder or Liquid. On unwashable materials, such
stains are difficult. Treat repeatedly with dry cleaning fluid, continuously
changing the pad and the sponging cloth. Finish with a sponging of lukewarm
water and synthetic detergent, then warm water to rinse. If contaminated
with metal particles, an iron stain my remain. Treat as for Iron Rust.
Mud
Allow
to dry, then brushing off. Any remaining stain may be removed by washing
or sponging with your usual laundry powder or liquid or if greasy dirt,
pre-treat dry fabric with a laundry pre-soak (spot stain remover) or use
a grease solvent, e.g. dry cleaning fluid.
Mustard
Scrape
any excess mustard from the fabric, ensuring you don't spread the stain
any further. Dry the mustard-stained area. Mix together 3 parts dishwash
liquid with 1 part of a D'Limonene based product (read our notes on each
product at this link). Soak the stained area in this solution for 10-15
minutes. NOTE: On occasion the mustard stain will turn very dark, but
DON'T PANIC - it will wash out! After the soak time, rinse in water as
hot as is suitable for the fabric, then wash as usual, but preferrably
with a Laundry Liquid. This treatment may require repeating.
Nail Polish
Apply
acetone or amyl acetate (polish removers), but take care with synthetic
fibres, as both of these dissolve some type of rayons. Wash or sponge
with your usual laundry product after treatment. Remove any remaining
colour with a bleach, using a chlorinated laundry bleach for white cottons
and linens. A diaper wash/sanitiser container sodium percarbonate for
colours, and hydrogen peroxide for wool and silks.
Ointment
Treat
as a grease stain - see under Butter
Paint
Modern
paints vary greatly in composition and it is not possible to give one
treatment for all types. As a guide, use the solvent suggested on the
paint tin label for thinning paint and cleaning brushes. Treat promptly,
as set stains are very difficult to remove. If paint has dried, soften
with glycerine before applying treatment. For oil paint, enamels and alkyd
type paints, scrape off as much as possible and soak remaining stain in
turpentine, or kerosene. Then wash in usual way. Latex or plastic water-base
paints, e.g. Acrylic and P.V.A. will wash out easily with cold water when
fresh. Remove any remaining stain with methylated spirits (wood alcohol)
(test first to see that acetate fabrics are not affected). Once dry, these
paints are virtually impossible to remove.
Pencil Marks (lead)
Try a soft rubber
for unwashable garments. Use a quality laundry powder or liquid on lead
pencil marks, but never for indelible pencil. If not successful, follow
instructions for Indelible Pencil.
Perfume
Wet
area, apply glycerine and rinse out well, or sponge with equal parts of
full-strength hydrogen peroxide and water. If the colour has already been
removed from the fabric by the alcohol in the perfume, it may be helpful
to add a few drops of methylated spirits (wood alcohol) to cheesecloth
pad and sponge fabric lightly, working towards the centre of the stain,
thus distributing remaining colour evenly.
Perspiration Stains
New perspiration
stains are normally acid and may be removed by washing. If the dye is
affected, hold the mark in fumes from an open ammonia bottle. Older perspiration
stains turn alkaline and sponging with 1 Tbsp. vinegar in _ c water will
often restore the colour. This treatment also helps to remove perspiration
odours. To remove perspiration stains from unwashable garments or for
any stubborn marks, apply a paste of 1 Tbsp. cream of tartar, 3 crushed
aspirins and warm water. Leave for 20 minutes. Rinse well in warm water.
Repeat if necessary. Follow this with vinegar and water to restore the
colour if necessary.
Rust
Any
of the methods given below are safe for white fabrics, but test on coloured
fabrics before use. Lemon Juice - suitable for light stains on delicate
fabrics. Spread stain over a bowl of boiling water and sprinkle with lemon
juice. After a few minutes, rinse well and repeat if necessary. Lemon
Juice and Salt - sprinkle stain with salt, rub with lemon juice and place
in sunlight. Keep moist with lemon juice till stain goes. Rinse well.
Cream of Tartar - for extensive staining, boil in a liquid made from 4
tsp. cream of tartar in 600 ml water. Rinse well OR if less extensive,
dampen stain, spread with cream of tartar, hold in steam from boiling
kettle. Rinse immediately stain goes. Do not use on fabrics that cannot
be washed in hot water.
Scorch
Scorch
marks are different from a true stain in that the actual fibre is damaged.
Severe marks on any fabric, or scorch marks on wool and silk can seldom
be restored. Brushing with fine emery paper may improve a scorched woollen
surface. Very light scorch marks can often be removed by immediate washing
with your usual laundry product, followed by a day in the sun. Alternatively,
sponge with 1 Tbsp. borax in 1 c warm water. Light scorch marks on white
materials can be treated with hydrogen peroxide. Dampen a scrap of white
cotton cloth with hydrogen peroxide and lay it on the mark. Cover with
a clean dry cloth, then press with a medium warm iron. If the peroxide
soaks through the top cloth, move to a dry position. Repeat the treatment
until the stain is removed. Rinse well in warm water. Light scorch marks
on any fabric (test colours first) may be treated by sponging with diluted
hydrogen peroxide to which a few drops of ammonia have been added. Rinse
well in warm water. (Instructions for dilution under directions for using
bleaches).
Shoe Cleaners
Scrape
off any excess with a dull knife. Shoe creams can frequently be removed
from washable materials by washing with your usual laundry product. If
this is not successful, treat washable fabrics with glycerine. Pour on
to the stain, rub lightly between the hands, leave for half an hour, then
wash or rinse in warm water. On unwashable fabrics or for very stubborn
marks, sponge with equal quantities of methylated spirits (wood alcohol)
and household ammonia. (Test on coloured fabrics first). Then sponge with
warm water.
Silly Putty
Scrape
off the excess with a blunt knife, then apply a warm to hot solution made
up of 1 part D'limonene, 1 part dishwash liquid, 10 parts water (read
our notes on each product at this link). Massage into the putty, and use
absorbent towelling to absorb the "gunk". You may need to repeat this.
Finally rinse with warm water and let dry naturally. Or Crayola recommend
that you Scrape the excess Silly Putty with a dull knife or metal spoon.
Spray with WD-40¨ (car part lubricant) and let stand a few minutes. Again
scrape excess Silly Putty with knife or spoon, and re-spray with WD-40¨.
Wipe stain with cotton balls. If any stain remains, saturate a cotton
ball with rubbing alcohol, blot the stain and rinse. Wipe any remaining
residue or remaining stain with a damp sponge or cloth moistened with
liquid dishwashing detergent.
Soft Drinks
Pre-treat
dry fabric with a laundry pre-soak (spot stain remover) prior to washing
with a quality laundry product in the usual way. Alternative treatment:
sponge with equal quantities of methylated spirits (wood alcohol) and
water. Old or obstinate stains may be softened in glycerine before treatment
as above.
Soot & Smoke
First
treat with absorbent powder, then wash. For unwashable articles sponge
with dry cleaning fluid or other grease solvent, followed by airing to
remove smell of smoke. For carpets, mix solvent to a paste with cornflour,
talcum or french chalk. Apply thickly - leave to dry, then brush or vacuum
off. Repeat if necessary. Use absorbent powder only on rubber backed carpeting.
Or use a spray-on dry cleaner.
Soy Sauce
Dry
the soya sauce-stained area. Mix together 3 parts dishwash liquid with
1 part of a D'Limonene based product (read our notes on each product at
this link). Soak the stained area in this solution for 10-15 minutes.
After the soak time, rinse in water as hot as is suitable for the fabric,
then wash as usual, but preferrably with a Laundry Liquid. This treatment
may require repeating.
Tar & Asphalt
Scrape
away as much as possible with a dull knife. Sponge with Jeyes fluid and
water (1 part Jeyes to 3 of water) or pre-treat with a laundry pre-soak
(spot stain remover) then wash with a quality laundry product, rinse in
warm water. If this is not successful on washable materials, rub Vaseline
or lard into the stain. Leave for half an hour, then wash in hot soapy
water. For unwashable materials the stain will be very difficult. Sponge
repeatedly with dry cleaning fluid. If the mark still persists, rub with
Vaseline, leave for half an hour, then dip in dry cleaning fluid. If possible,
finish by sponging with a solution made from a good quality laundry liquid,
starting well to the outside of the stain.
Tarnish
Metallic
stains from belts, jewellery, etc., sometimes stain clothes. Sponge with
vinegar, lemon juice or 10% solution acetic acid (check synthetics first).
For tarnished metallic fabrics, e.g. lame, if practicable, boil in salt
water (2 Tbsp. to 600 ml). Not suitable for plastics. Otherwise, sponge
with methylated spirits (wood alcohol) or dry cleaning fluid.
Tobacco
For
stubborn tobacco stains, first try pouring glycerine over the stain. Rub
lightly between the hands, or pre-treat the dry fabric with a laundry
pre-soak (spot stain remover), leave for half an hour then wash in the
usual way. If this is not successful, use sodium thiosulphate as directed
for iodine stains.
Tomato Juice, Relish
or Chutney
Sponge
thoroughly with cold water first. Pour glycerine over, rub lightly between
the hands and leave for half an hour. Or, pre-treat the dry fabric with
a laundry pre-soak (spot stain remover), leave for half an hour then wash
in the usual way. Rinse in warm water. Remove any remaining stain with
a chlorinated laundry bleach or a diaper wash/sanitiser container sodium
percarbonate, as directed.
Twink (Whiteout) (Liquid
Paper) (Liquid Correction Fluid)
Purchase
some Spray & Wipe from your supermarket, and use concentrated on the stain.
Most Spray & Wipe formulaŐs contain a solvent which will dissolve the
liquid paper. OR Try a little gasoline on the stain, with some good absorbent
paper or old cloth behind it. Then use some dishwash liquid or a good
quality laundry liquid to wash out the gasoline. OR Purchase some xylene,
or toluene, these are some of the solvents used in making the stuff. Use
as if using the gasoline. These are stocked by gasoline companies and
you may be able to request a small sample. Always test an inconspicuous
piece of material before proceeding.
Unknown
If
a stain cannot be identified, treat with cool water first, then sponge
with a good quality laundry liquid solution. Rinse well and if stain persists
try equal quantities of methylated spirits (wood alcohol) and ammonia,
testing first to note effect on colour and fabric. If colour is affected,
omit ammonia. As a last resort, try a mild bleach, e.g. A diaper wash/sanitiser
container sodium percarbonate.
Urine
These
stains differ in composition, so that the same method may not be successful
in all cases. Normal urine is usually acid. First soak in a solution of
a diaper wash/sanitiser container sodium percarbonate or sponge with a
solution of 1 Tbsp. household ammonia in _ c warm water. Rinse well. If
this is not successful, try equal quantities of vinegar and warm water
in case the stain is alkaline. Rinse well in warm water. For stubborn
stains, sponge with diluted hydrogen peroxide, then wash or sponge - rinse
with clear warm water. Old stains may destroy the colour of the cloth
and nothing can be done to restore it in this case.
Vomit
Sponge
with warm water containing a little ammonia. If extensive, dampen and
sprinkle with pepsin powder, leave half an hour, then rinse off. OR soak
washable articles in a diaper wash/sanitiser container sodium percarbonate.
Water Spots
Some
silks, rayons and wools are spotted by water. To remove such spots, hold
in the steam from a rapidly boiling kettle. It is wise to cover the spout
with butter muslin first to prevent any droplets of water reaching the
fabric. Allow the fabric to become damp, but not wet. Shake and press
while still slightly damp, rubbing, if possible, with a piece of the same
or a similar material, or with fingernail or spoon. Water stains on carpets
become brown because of impurities from backing or underfelt. Mop up spills,
wipe with cool water, cover with pad of blotting paper, tissues or absorbent
cloth. Weight down with books, etc., and dry quickly with the aid of fan
heaters, vacuum exhaust, etc. This causes stain to wick through to absorbent
material. Repeat if required.
Wine
Red
Wine? Straight away pour White Wine on the affected area and soak up.
Then wash in cold water and ammonia. White Wine? Wash in cold water and
ammonia. If unsuccessful, follow other treatments under Alcoholic Beverages.
- Treat promptly
Try mild measures first
Rinse thoroughly
Wood Sap
Turpentine
(enamel paint thinners) 1 part and dishwash liquid 4 parts. Mix together
and rub in to the sap stain. Leave for 20 minutes and then wash in water
and your usual laundry detergent as hot as the fabric will allow. You
may have to repeat this process.
Disclaimer:
The information and our technical advice - whether verbal or in writing
or by way of trials - are given in good faith, but without warranty, and
this also applies where proprietary rights of third parties are involved.
Our advice does not release you from the obligation to check it's validity
and to test products as to the suitability for the intended processes
and uses.
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