Science of Removing Stains From Fabric
Removal of different stains from different fabrics depends on both the type of stain and the type of fabric. Different stains can be removed with different cleaners and substances while certain fabrics need to be treated with special care and cleaning instructions. With any stain or any fabric, the best way to remove the stain is to act quickly. Does this Spark an idea?
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Cotton Stains
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Remove any large loose particles of the stain from the cotton fabric's surface, and then treat the remaining stain by wetting and applying a liquid laundry detergent. The stain may then be scrubbed with a soft scrub brush and rinsed until all the stain, or portions of the stain, are removed. If the stain remains, treat according to the stain type, or attempt to treat with OxyClean or another generic oxidized cleaner.
Wool Stains
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To remove stains on wool fabrics, create a solution of wool detergent and white vinegar in warm water. Use a small piece of cotton to dab the solution onto the wool to bring the staining material up and out of the wool fabric. A solution of warm water and hydrogen peroxide may also be dabbed on in an identical fashion to remove the stain.
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Silk Stains
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Try a mixture of water and ammonia to remove stains from silks without removing the color from the fabric. Dab the ammonia and water mixture onto the stained silk and allow the solution to sit for approximately 30 minutes before sponging away with a dry cleaning solution. Mixtures of crushed aspirin, cream of tartar and warm water may also be tried on the silk stains. Try sponging or softly brushing with a soft-bristled scrub brush to scrub out the stain.
Satin Stains
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Use a bleach-free, satin-safe stain remover to remove stains from satin fabrics. Dab the stain remover onto the stained silk and allow it to sit for a few moments, and then launder by hand or by the cleaning instructions that may be found on the tag. After laundering, check the fabric to see if the stain has been removed. If it has not, apply the stain remover again. Launder again until the stain has been removed.
Leather Stains
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Wipe away stains on leather by rubbing with a sponge dipped in rubbing alcohol. Rubbing alcohol evaporates quickly. Spraying a leather stain with hairspray and quickly wiping it away may work to remove some types of stains from leather fabric. Specially made leather cleaning solutions may be able to remove the stains if nothing else works.
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