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Removing Stains
Stained, heavily soiled, or greasy items may need to be prewashed or soaked for best
results. Soaking helps remove protein-type stains like blood, milk, or grass. Prewashing helps
loosen soil before washing.
Stain removal rules
l Use warm water for soaking or prewashing
stained laundry. Hot water can set stains.
l Most stains are easier to remove when
they are fresh. Old or set stains may not
come out. Follow package directions for
pretreatment products.
l Before treating any stain, find out what
kind of stain it is, how old the stain is, what
kind of fabric it is, and if the fabric is
colout-fast. (Check the care label.)
l Washing and drying can set some stains.
l Start with cold or warm water. Hot water
can set some stains.
l When bleach is recommended, use a
bleach that is safe for the fabric.
l Test stain removers on an inside seam
or hidden corner of the item to see if the
colour is removed.
l Put the stained area face down on a paper
towel or white cloth. Apply the stain
remover to the back of the stain. This
forces the stain off the fabric instead of
through it.
l Meat tenderizer or enzyme presoaks help
break down some protein stains so they
are easier to remove.
Stain removal guide
STAIN
1 TO REMOVE
Alcoholic
beverage
These stains turn brown with age, so treat immediately. Sponge or soak
fresh stains with cold water. Wash. If stain remains, soak 15 minutes in a
solution of lukewarm water, liquid detergent, and a few drops of white
vinegar. Rinse. Wash.
Blood
Rinse immediately or soak in cold water with enzyme presoak for 30
minutes or longer. Rinse. Rub detergent into any remaining stains. Rinse.
If stain remains, put a few drops of 3% hydrogen peroxide on stain for 3-5
minutes. Rinse thoroughly. Wash.
Chewing
gum
Chocolate
or coffee
Crayon and
candle wax
Use ice to make gum hard. Scrape off what you can. Sponge with a
nonflammable fabric cleaner. Let dry. Wash.
Sponge immediately with a nonflammable fabric cleaner or apply a prewash
soil and stain remover. Rinse. Wash. If stain remains, apply a liquid deter-
gent to stain or soak in warm water with an enzyme presoak. Rewash.
Scrape off excess with a dull knife. Place fabric between two blotters or
facial tissue. Press with warm iron. Remove colour stain with nonflam-
mable fabric cleaner. Hand wash until stain is gone. If full load is crayon
stained, take to cleaners or coin-operated dry cleaning machine.
Cream,
milk, or
ice cream
Sponge with a nonflammable fabric cleaner, or a prewash soil and stain
remover. Rinse. Wash. Repeat if necessary. If stain remains, apply a few
drops of liquid detergent and a few drops of ammonia. Blot dry and rinse.
If stain remains, soak in an enzyme presoak. Wash.
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