How to Remove Spots from Clothes

Whether you live alone or have a family with many children, you are likely to have spots on your clothing that need to be removed. Most spots and stains can be easily removed at home, although some may require treatment by a professional. If possible, you will always want to treat the spot as soon as it appears. Leaving a spot on your clothes for a prolonged amount of time will only result in a stain that has penetrated deeper within the clothing fibers.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Cold water
• Dish soap
• Soda water
• Ivory soap
• Vinegar
• Spot treatment spray

1. Remove the article of clothing immediately (if possible) and soak the garment in cold water to break apart the stain. Using warm water may only encourage the stain to spread. If the clothing cannot be removed immediately, then blot the stain with cold water to remove as much as possible.
2. Blot the stain with a solution of cold water and mild dish soap if the stain still persists after blotting with cold water. Because the dish soap has grease fighting properties, this will help break apart any stain that involves oil or grease. Be sure to blot with cold water after using the dishwashing soap to avoid leaving a soapy residue on the clothing.
3. Pour some seltzer water or club soda onto a paper towel or clean cloth and blot the stain. The carbonation in the soda water can help remove the stain from the clothing.
4. Use vinegar to blot at the stain if none of the above methods have resolved the issue.
5. Wet the garment with cold water and rub ivory soap into the dampened stain and rinse. This can be repeated again if the spot is not removed in the first try. You may also leave the soap on the stain for 30 minutes or more to allow it to penetrate.
6. Launder the garment as you normally do. If the stain has not been removed after laundering as usual then you may try a commercial spot treatment spray available from your local grocery store or drug store.
7. Seek help from a professional dry cleaner if you were not able to remove the stain using any of these methods.

Tips & Warnings

• Always check your clothing for spots before laundering and check again after they have been laundered to make sure you don't bake in the stain with the dryer.
• Try one step at a time. If you find one that works, there is no need to try additional steps to treat your stain.
• Do not rub at the stain. Be sure to blot gently or you will spread the stain and make the spot worse.
• Always read the care instructions specific to your garment before treating at home. Proceeding without following the care instructions may result in damaged clothing.

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