No one is immune to spills and stains. Whether you’re a busy parent with kids or a professional dealing with clients, you will have to deal with a stain at some point. And while some stains are easier to remove than others, there’s no need to panic – we’ve got you covered! In this article, we’ll walk you through the most common stains and how best to remove them.
Common Stains And How To Remove Them
It’s no secret that stains come in all shapes and sizes. But what’s important to remember is that no matter where they’re from, you can use a few simple tricks to remove them. So if you’ve spilled something on yourself or your clothes, don’t worry – you’ll be clean again soon! Here are the most common stains and how best to remove them:
Grass
Grass stains might be the most difficult of all common stains to remove due to their complex composition. The best way to tackle a grass stain is to immediately flush it with cold water since heat will set the stain, making it much more stubborn. If that doesn’t work, you may need to enlist the help of a laundry detergent specifically designed for tough stains.
If all else fails, take your garment to the dry cleaner, they can often get even the toughest grass stains out! In a pinch, try mixing a solution of something acidic like white vinegar with mild detergent and rubbing it into the stain. Rinse with cold water again afterward and launder as normal.
Ketchup
Ketchup stains can seem ironic – a red product causing even redder stains on your clothing. But they don’t have to last forever! Start by blotting off any excess tomato sauce with some paper towel or a clean cloth, and then flush the area with cool water running from the backside of the fabric. Ketchup is easier to remove when the stain is fresh, so don’t wait too long to tackle it.
You can also pre-treat the spot with a pre-wash stain remover or mix equal parts dish liquid and white vinegar, dip a cloth in the mixture, rub onto the stain gently, and wash immediately. With either method, after treating, you should always wash in the warmest possible water, safe for the fabric type being cleaned. If all else fails, try using a commercial solvent cleaner – but follow the directions and warnings on the product label carefully before using.
Red Wine
Red wine stains are perhaps the most common and dreaded of all types of stains. The good news is that red wine can often be removed quite easily when you take the proper steps to treat it quickly before it dries. Start by carefully blotting up as much of the stain with a clean cloth or sponge. Next, mix a solution of cold water and chlorine bleach directly onto the stained area and allow it to soak in for a few minutes.
In either case, once you’ve seen that the stain has vanished, test an inconspicuous area of your garment first so that you know there will not be any harm done to your clothes -or those pesky red wine stains! Finally, gently rub the area until all traces of the stain have been removed. Note that this method should only be used on white-colored articles of clothing as bleaching can damage darker colors; otherwise, simply use cold water instead.
Grease
Grease is one of the most commonly encountered spots and stains, as it is present in various materials, from clothing to carpets. It can be challenging to remove from fabrics, especially when it has been on the material for a long time. The best way to get rid of grease stains is to treat them immediately with a good pre-treatment or cleaner and then launder them according to garment label instructions.
Alternatively, you can make a clump of chalk, wet it with water, and apply it directly onto the stain for about 20 minutes before laundering as normal. For oily grease stains on carpets, blot with paper towels or vacuum up excess oil, spray WD-40 on the stain topically and allow it to sit for an hour if possible. Lastly, blot lightly again with a towel and clean off any traces of the cleaning agent left behind by rinsing with white distilled vinegar.
