How do I Remove Bluing Stains?

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Things You'll Need

  • 5-gallon bucket with lid

  • Kitchen-size trash bag with twist tie

  • 2 quarts ammonia

  • 4 gallons cold water

  • Laundry detergent, 1 scoop or cap

Bluing is easiest to remove before it dries into fabric fibers.

Bluing is not a fabric dye, but it is a laundry additive that adds a hint of blue to laundry and covers the yellow-gray tinge that whites pick up after use. Using too much bluing in the wash or spilling bluing on a garment will leave deep blue stains on the fabric. Treat the stains as soon as possible, because the longer the bluing stays on the fabric the harder it will be to remove.

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Step 1

Place the bucket in a well-ventilated area. Remove the lid from the 5-gallon bucket, push the handle down to the side of the bucket, and line the bucket with the kitchen-size trash bag. Wrap the top edges of the trash bag over the top edge of the bucket.

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Step 2

Pour the ammonia and cold water into the bucket. Submerge the bluing-stained item in the ammonia-water. Push the excess air out of the bag, twist the bag shut, and seal it with the twist tie. Cover the bucket with the lid. Let the stained item soak in the ammonia-water for 24 hours.

Step 3

Drain the ammonia-water out of the bucket, then put the item in the washing machine. Set the washer to fill with cold water, and pour the laundry detergent into the running water. Let the washing machine run through its regular cycle. Check the item to see if the stains are gone. If the stains are still there, soak the item again. If the stains are gone, dry the item as you normally would.

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