How to Remove Brown Stains From Knitted Garments

Removing brown stains, or any other stains, from knitted garments can be quite challenging. Hand knits might have special laundering needs, and stain removal will depend upon the type of fiber and stain. While a good dry cleaner might be able to assist with stain removal on knitted garments, caring for your knit garments, including stain removals, at home is often the best option.

Things You'll Need

• Wool wash
• Quilt wash
• Spot cleaning spray
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Large tub for soaking
• Clean white towels

Instructions

1. Determine the type of fiber. Use yarn labels and texture to discover this, but treat the knitted garments as gently as possible if you are unsure. Try burning a sample of the yarn if you have it available, and observe the results; melting suggests acrylic or synthetic yarns, a hair smell implies woolen yarn, and a yarn that burns like paper has a high cotton content.

2. Prepare a wash tub, sink or bathtub to soak your knitted garment. Use lukewarm water when hand washing knitted garments. Add a commercial wool wash or pure soap flakes to launder wool. Use soap flakes or a good quality pure detergent for cottons. Remove brown stains from knitted garments made of acrylic by soaking in either a soap or detergent.

3. Gently lower the knitted garment into the soaking tub. Allow the knitted garment to soak for several hours. Check the progress on stains. Many brown stains can be cleaned from knitted garments simply with a good laundering.

4. Rinse well, then blot out excess water by rolling the knitted garments in a towel. Look carefully to see if you have successfully removed the stains from the knitting.

5. Treat remaining stains with a commercial stain treatment product for chocolate or oily stains. Use vinegar on coffee, tea and other non-oily stains. Rinse well, or repeat the laundering process, if needed.

6. Blot out excess moisture, re-shape the knitted garment and lay flat to dry.

Tips & Warnings

• Never use chlorine bleach on wool.

References

• Noblehouse.us Stains on Wool
• Knitty.com Cleaning Wool
• Freepatterns.com Stains on Knitting