Things You'll Need
For grease stains:
Paper towels
Dry cleaning fluid
Pretreatment stain remover
Hot water
Laundry detergent
For fruit and beverage stains:
Dishwashing detergent
Warm water
Vinegar
Sponge or rag
Alcohol
Enzyme presoak product
Bleach (optional)
Laundry detergent
For protein stains:
Cool water
Dishwashing detergent
Ammonia
Bleach (optional)
Laundry detergent
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Stains make clothes look sloppy and dirty, and can be difficult to get out without knowledge of proper removal techniques. Removing grease and oil stains from food or non-food sources requires different strategies than removing other food stains. Correct stain removal for food stains also varies depending on whether the stain is protein-based or from fruit and most beverages. For example, stains from wine, berries, coffee and jam require different stain removal techniques than stains from protein-based egg whites, pudding, baby formula, gelatin and sherbet.
Grease Stains
Step 1
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Set the stained area of the fabric on top of absorbent paper towels if the fabric has a severe stain.
Video of the Day
Step 2
Apply dry cleaning solvent to the stain over the absorbent paper towels.
Step 3
Let the stain dry.
Step 4
Rinse the stain.
Step 5
Soak the stain with a pretreatment stain remover and let it sit for about a minute.
Step 6
Wash the garment as usual using the hottest water safe for the fabric, as Ohio State University experts suggest.
Fruit and Beverage Stains
Step 1
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Soak the fabric in cool or lukewarm water with 2 tsp. liquid detergent and 1 tbsp. white vinegar. Do not use regular soap, which can set the stain into the fabric.
Step 2
Blot the stain with alcohol.
Step 3
Soak the stain in a quart of water mixed with 1 tbsp. of an enzyme presoaking product.
Step 4
Bleach the stain if the above steps did not remove it, but first check the garment label to see whether the fabric is bleach-safe.
Protein Stains
Step 1
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Soak the stain for 15 minutes in a mixture of 1/2 tsp. hand dishwashing detergent, 1 tbsp. ammonia and 1 quart lukewarm water.
Step 2
Rub the stain to loosen it.
Step 3
Soak the stain for 30 minutes in an enzyme presoak product.
Step 4
Launder the clothes normally.
Step 5
Bleach stubborn stains if the fabric is bleach-safe.
Warning
Do not attempt to rinse a protein stain in hot water, because the hot water can cook the protein and make it set into the fabric.
Video of the Day
- Oregon State University Extension; Stain Removal Guide for Washable Fabrics; Ernestine Porter; June 1993
- Ohio State University; Quick 'n Easy Stain Removal; Janis Stone
- University of Illinois Extension: Grease - Stain Removal Solutions
- University of Missouri Extension; Stain Removal From Washable Fabrics Greasy Food Stains; November 2002
- University of Missouri Extension; Stain Removal From Washable Fabrics Fruit and Beverage Stains; November 2002
- University of Missouri Extension; Stain Removal From Washable Fabrics Protein Stains; November 2002