How to Remove Detergent Stains

The very thing you use to get your clothes clean and stain-free may actually be leaving stains on your clothes. Detergent stains are usually blue or white and are most commonly caused by powdered laundry detergent, though liquid can also cause stains. The stains themselves are not that bad, but they are slightly sticky and will attract more dirt to that area. This will make a small stain much worse. You can easily remove detergent stains from your clothes.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Dish soap Soft nylon brush White vinegar Bowl

1. Squirt a small amount of liquid dish soap onto the stain. Liquid dish soap cuts through grease, which is what detergent stains primarily are.

2. Scrub thoroughly with a soft-bristled brush. Scrub both with the weave of the fabric and against it to loosen the detergent that has worked into the fibers.

3. Wash as normal but without adding laundry detergent. Don't dry.

4. Fill a bowl with vinegar and submerge the stained area of clothing in it. Vinegar breaks down grease and soap residue. Allow to soak for 15 minutes.

5. Scrub out any stain traces that may remain and wash and dry as normal.

Tips & Warnings

• Dissolve powdered detergent into the wash water before adding the clothes. 1/4 cup of vinegar added to your wash will soften your clothes and combat future detergent stains.
• Never overfill the washer; this makes it impossible for your machine to rinse out all the detergent.

References

• Stain Removal