How to Get the Stains Out of White Cotton Napkins

Keeping a cotton napkin clean presents a challenge. The most common food stains that regular washing won't remove are grease-, juice-, wine- and tomato-based. Other stains usually come out in the regular wash but these are stubborn and may require additional cleaning before they go in the washing machine.

Things You'll Need

• Dishpan
• Sponge
• Laundry pretreatment

Instructions

1. Scrape away any solid food from the napkin. Rinse under cold running water for one to five minutes or until the stain begins to noticeably fade.

2. Fill a dishpan or sink with cold water. Soak the stained napkins in the water for one hour.

3. Remove the napkins from the water. Blot up the stain using a nearly dry sponge or lint-free cloth.

4. Apply a laundry stain pretreatment product to the stain. Allow the product to cover the stain for the length of time recommended on the label.

5. Wash the napkins in a washing machine. Remove and inspect for remaining stains before drying.

6. Apply the pretreatment a second time if the stain is still visible. Wash, then place in the dryer once the stain is no longer apparent.

Tips & Warnings

• Use your regular washing machine detergent or dish soap instead of a store-bought pretreatment product. Remove stubborn grease stains with hot water and liquid dish soap. Club soda applied to and then blotted from the napkin removes stubborn wine and juice stains.

• Never rub a stain - this works it deeper into the fabric. Blot the stain using a dry or nearly dry cloth instead. Machine drying sets a stain permanently so always check that the stain is removed completely before drying.

References

• University of Illinois Extension
• Mrs. Clean