Stain Index

Adhesive Tape, Glue (Airplane) - Always read and follow the care instructions and any warnings on the garment label.

• Rub ice on the area and carefully scrape off what you can with the dull side of a butter knife.
• Saturate the stain with a pretreatment stain remover. Wait a couple of minutes for the product to penetrate.
• Rub with heavy duty liquid laundry detergent. Launder immediately.
• For difficult stains, apply dry-cleaning fluid to the back of stain over absorbent paper towels. Let dry, rinse, and proceed per above. Carefully read and follow the instructions on the product label.

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Alcoholic Drinks, Wine - Always read and follow the care instructions and any warnings on the garment label.

• Launder with detergent in hottest water safe for the fabric. Do not use soap (bar, flake, or detergents containing natural soap), since soap could make stain permanent or at least more difficult to remove.
• Soak tough stains for 30 minutes in 1 quart of warm water and 1 teaspoon of enzyme presoak product.
• To remove old or set stains may require washing with bleach that is safe for the fabric. always check for colorfastness first.
• If all the sugars are not removed a brown stain will appear when the fabric is heated in the dryer or is ironed, as the sugar is carmelized.

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Asphalt, Tar - Always read and follow the care instructions and any warnings on the garment label.

• Rub the area with ice and carefully scrape with the dull edge of a butter knife.
• Saturate the area with an aersol pretreatment laundry stain remover, wait a few minutes to allow it to penetrate, then rub with a heavy duty liquid laundry detergent and launder immediately.
• If the color stain remains, launder in chlorine bleach if safe for the fabric, or in all-fabric bleach. Always check for color fastness first.
• For extra heavy stains, apply dry-cleaning fluid to the back of the stain over absorbent paper towels. Let it dry. Then, rinse and proceed as above. Read the product label and proceed carefully when using dry cleaning fluid.

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Baby Stains (Food, Formula, Poop) - Always read and follow the care instructions and any warnings on the garment label.

• Scrape off whatever you can.
• Fresh protein stains can often be removed by just soaking and agitating in cold water before washing. If hot water is used first, it can cook the protein, causing coagulation between the fibers in the yarns of the fabric, making the stain more difficult to remove.
• Soak in cold water using a detergent or enzyme presoak product for about 30 minutes. Soak old stains for at least several hours.
• Launder in warm (not hot) water, rinse, and inspect. If stain remains, soak an additional 30 minutes, then rewash. (Never put a stained fabric in a dryer. The heat from the dryer can set the stain.)
• If color stain remains, launder using chlorine bleach if safe for the fabric, or with all fabric bleach. However, if bleach is used, rewash to be sure all bleach has been removed because baby's skin is sensitive.
• According to the Old Farmer's Almanac, adding one cup of white vinegar to each laundry load during the rinse cycle breaks down uric acid and soapy residue, leaving baby clothes and diapers soft and fresh. But, be sure you use WHITE vinegar.

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Blood - Always read and follow the care instructions and any warnings on the garment label. Treat blood stains immediately.

• Flush cold water through the stain and scrape off crusted material.
• Soak for 15 minutes in a mixture of 1 quart of lukewarm water, 1/2 teaspoon liquid hand dishwashing detergent, and 1 tablespoon ammonia. Use cool/lukewarm water. Heat can permanently set protein stains. Rub gently from the back to loosen stain.
• Soak another 15 minutes in above mixture. Rinse. Soak in enzyme product for at least 30 minutes. Soaked aged stains for several hours. Launder.
• If the blood stain is not completely removed by this process, wet the stain with hydrogen peroxide and a few drops of ammonia. Caution: Do not leave this mixture longer than 15 minutes. Rinse with cool water.
• If blood stain has dried, pretreat with prewash stain remover, liquid laundry detergent, or a paste of granular laundry product and water. Launder using bleach safe for fabric.

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Butter, Cooking Oils/Fats, Margarine, Mayonnaise, Vegetable Oil - Always read and follow the care instructions and any warnings on the garment label.

• Treat light stains with a pretreatment spray stain remover and wait a couple minutes for it to penetrate. Rub with a heavy-duty liquid laundry detergent. Launder
• If color stain remains, launder with chlorine bleach if safe for the fabric, or use an all-fabric bleach. Always test for colorfastness before using bleach.
• Place heavy stains face down on clean paper towels. Apply dry cleaning fluid to the back of stain. Replace towels frequently. (Carefully read and follow instructions on the product package.) Let air dry; rinse. Launder in hottest water safe for the fabric.

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Candle Wax - Always read and follow the care instructions and any warnings on the garment's label.

• Harden wax by rubbing with ice. Remove surface wax by carefully scraping with the dull edge of a butter knife.
• Sandwick the wax stain between folded paper towels and press with a warm (not hot) iron. Replace paper towels frequently to absorb more wax and to prevent transferring the stain. Continue as long as wax is being removed.
• Place stain face down on clean paper towels. Sponge remaining stain with a prewash stain remover or dry-cleaning fluid; blot with paper towels. Let dry, then launder. Note: If any color remains, relaunder with a bleach that is safe for the fabric.

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Carpet Stains - FabricLink will have a Carpet Stain Removal Guide in our new Product Knowledge Center for Home Furnishings, which will launch soon.

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Chap Stick - Always read and follow the care instructions and any warnings on the garment label.

• Saturate the areas with a pretreatment aerosol stain remover.
• Wait several minutes for product to penetrate. Rub with heavy duty liquid detergent. Launder immediately.
• If color stain remains, launder in chlorine bleach, if safe for the fabric, or in all fabric bleach. When using bleach always check an inside seam for colorfastness.
• For extra heavy stains apply dry cleaning fluid to the back of the stain over white absorbent towels. Let dry, rinse and launder as above. (Carefully read and follow directions and cautions on dry cleaning fluid.)

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Chocolate - Always read and follow the care instructions and any warnings on the garment label.

• Treat the stain with a prewash spray or pretreat with a product containing enzymes. Rub with heavy-duty liquid detergent. Launder.
• If stain remains, relaunder with bleach that is safe for the fabric. If stain still remains, treat as a "Dye Stain."

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Coffee, Tea - Always read and follow the care instructions and any warnings on the garment label.

• Saturate the stain with a pretreatment stain remover.
• Rub the stain with a heavy-duty liquid detergent and launder in hottest water safe for the fabric.
• Do not use soap (bar, flake, or detergents containing natural soap), since soap could make stain permanent or at least more difficult to remove.
• If stain remains launder with bleach safe for the fabric.

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Correction Fluid - This is a real tough one. It can penetrate into the fabric and when it dries it coats the fibers in a harden "plaster." Unless there are instructions on the product label, try specific stain removal products available at the grocery or drug store, such as Carbona's "Stain Devils®" or take the stain to your dry cleaner.

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Crayons -
The best way to deal with crayons is to get advice right from the horse's mouth....Crayola!
For another option, here's what another source says. Always read and follow the care instructions and any warnings on the garment label.

• Scrape excess crayon with the dull edge of a butter knife.
• Wash in hot, soft water with soap, such as Ivory and 1/2 cup baking soda for 10 minutes.
• If the stain remains, work soap paste into the stain. Wash 5 minutes. Rinse.
• To remove any remaining color use bleach or color remover as safe for the fabric. Always test for color fastness.

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Cream/Cheese Sauce - Always read and follow the care instructions and any warnings on the garment's label.

• Fresh stains should be soaked and agitated in cold water before washing.
• If stain is dried, scrape or bush off any crusted matter and soak for up to several hours in cold water with a detergent or an enzyme presoak. Launder in warm (not hot) water.
• If stain remains soak an additional 30 minutes and rewash.
• If color stain remains launder with bleach safe for the fabric. Always test for colorfastness first.

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Dinginess, Yellowing, Graying - There are several reasons why fabrics gray, yellow, and become dingy, including not using the right amount of detergent (i.e., using too much or too little detergent), insufficient rinsing, and/or the wash water temperature is too low. To reburbish clothing from these discolorations:

• Wash with a permanent press cycle in hot water, use a cool-down rinse on permanent press and use one cup of water conditioner instead of detergent.
• If the discoloration remains, either repeat this procedure or wash with the correct amount of detergent and either all-fabric bleach or chlorine bleach, if safe for the fabric. (always check for colorfastness first.)
• If the fabric is white, consider speciality products available in grocery or drug stores, such as Rit's "White Wash" to whiten the fabric.
• Always separate and wash your whites separate from colors. And, don't put heavily soil garments with lightly soiled items.
• Also see "Yellowing" in this list.

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Dye Stains, Dye Transfer - Dye stains (incl. mustard, etc.) can be very difficult to remove. Always read and follow the care instructions and any warnings on the garment label.

• Soak the entire garment in a dilute solution of all-fabric powered bleach. Check the garment care label and check for color fastness first. And, be aware that during soaking all colors may be lightened.
• If the stain remains and the garment is colorfast, soak the entire garment in a dilute solution of liquid chlorine bleach and water. Again, test for colorfastness first.
• Caution: Chlorine bleach may change the color of the garment or cause irreversible damage. Therefore, it is important to check for color fastness before using. If the stain does not come out within 15 minutes of bleaching, it cannot be removed by bleaching, and any further exposure to bleach will weaken the fabric.
• Note: To check for color fastness to liquid chlorine bleach, mix 1 tablespoon of bleach with 1/4 cup of water. Use an eyedropper to put a drop of this solution on a hidden seam or pocket edge inside the garment. Let it stand two minute, then blot dry. If there is no color change it is safe to use the product. Powered bleaches have directions for doing colorfastness tests.
• There are also a number of dye removers/strippers, such as one from Rit, which are available in drug and grocery stores. However, color removers will also take out fabric colors as well as the stain.

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Dairy Products - Always read and follow the care instructions and any warnings on the garment label.

• Fresh stains should be soaked and agitated in cold water before washing. If stain is dried, scrape or bush off any crusted matter.
• Soak for up to several hours in cold water with a detergent or an enzyme presoak.
• Launder in warm (not hot) water. If stain remains soak an additional 30 minutes and rewash.
• If color stain remains, launder with a bleach safe for the fabirc. Always check for colorfastness first.

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Epoxy Glue - Epoxy type glues may be impossible to remove. You might try using dry cleaning solvent, which may cause the glue to swell so that it can be removed by scraping with the dull side of a butter knife. Read the product label and proceed carefully when using dry cleaning fluid. And, always read and follow the care instructions and any warnings on the garment's label.

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Fabric Softener - Stains can come from undiluted softener or from dryer sheets.

• Rub stained area with bar soap (Ivory) and launder as usual. Repeat as necessary.

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Fruits and Fruit Juices ( For Cherry & Blueberry see "Dye Stains") - Always read and follow the care instructions and any warnings on the garment label.

• Launder with detergent in hottest water safe for the fabric. Do not use soap (bar, flake, or detergents containing natural soap), since soap could make stain permanent or at least more difficult to remove.
• Soak tough stains for 30 minutes in 1 quart of warm water and 1 teaspoon of enzyme presoak product.
• To remove old or set stains may require washing with bleach that is safe for the fabric.
• If all the sugars are not removed a brown stain will appear when the fabric is heated in the dryer or is ironed, as the sugar is carmelized.

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Glue (White, School) - Always read and follow the care instructions and any warnings on the garment label.

• Scrape off whatever you can.
• Soak and agitate in cold water before washing. If hot water is used first, it can cook the glue, causing coagulation between the fibers in the yarns of the fabric, making the stain more difficult to remove.
• Soak in cold water using a detergent or enzyme presoak product for about 30 minutes. Soak old stains for at least several hours.
• Launder in warm (not hot) water, rinse, and inspect. If stain remains, soak an additional 30 minutes, then rewash. (Never put a stained fabric in a dryer. The heat from the dryer can set the stain.)

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Grease, Hand Lotion, Makeup (oil-based), Ointment/Salve, & Motor Oil - Always read and follow the care instructions and any warnings on the garment label.

• Saturate light stains with a pretreatment spray stain remover and wait several minutes for it to penetrate. Rub with a heavy-duty liquid laundry detergent. Launder
• If color stain remains, launder with chlorine bleach if safe for the fabric, or use an all-fabric bleach. Always test for colorfastness before using bleach.
• Place heavy stains face down on folded paper towels. Apply dry cleaning fluid to the back of stain. Replace towels frequently. (Carefully read and follow instructions on the product package.) Let air dry; rinse. Launder in hottest water safe for the fabric.
• If color stain remains, treat as a "Dye Stain."

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Gum - Gum may be very difficult to remove if it has been in the dryer. Always read and follow the care instructions and any warnings on the garment label.

• Hold ice on the the gum to harden it.
• Crack or scrape off what you can using the dull side of a butter knife.
• Spray with an aerosol pretreatment product, and let stand for five minutes.
• Rub with heavy duty liquid detergent. Launder.
• Repeat, if necessary.

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Gravy - Always read and follow the care instructions and any warnings on the garment label.

• Saturate the stain with a prewash spray. Wait several minutes for product to penetrate. For tough stains rub with a heavy-duty liquid detergent. Launder.
• If stain remains, launder with bleach that is safe for the fabric. Always check for colorfastness first.

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Ink (solvent soluable) - Always read and follow the care instructions and any warnings on the garment label. With ink you generally need to act fast to have a chance. Also, the heat in the dryer can set the stain.

• First, sponge the area around the stain with denatured alcohol. Then apply the alcohol directly on the stain.
• Next, place the stain face down on clean white, paper towels. Apply alcohol to the back of the stain. Replace towels frequently. Continue until no further ink is removed. Then rinse thoroughly.
• Rub with heavy duty liquid detergent and launder in hottest water safe for fabric, with bleach safe for fabric. Always check for color fastness first.
• Instead of alcohol, you could use dry cleaning solvent, such as Carbona, Energine, Goddard's. (Be sure to read and follow the instructions on the product lable. These products are toxic.) Also, first try a hidden inside seam to be sure any garment dye won't be affected.
• Some inks on white fabric may be removed with a dye stripper. You should be able to find this in areas where package dyes are sold. For stains on colored fabrics, check for dye stability in a hidden area before using. Also, be aware that these products will affect any colors on the fabric.

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Ink (permanent) - Permanent inks are almost impossible to remove. Always read and follow the care instructions and any warnings on the garment label.

• To have any chance you need to treat immediately. The first step is to force water through the stain before it dries to remove excess ink. Allow to dry.
• Sponge the stain with dry cleaning solvent (read and follow the directions carefully, it is toxic). Allow the fabric to dry. Rub a liquid detergent into the stain. Rinse.
• Soak the stain in warm water to which 1 to 4 tablespoons of household ammonia have been added.
• Rinse and repeat if stain is lessoning. Launder.
• Some inks on white fabric may be removed with a dye stripper. Follow package insturctions. For stains on colored fabrics, check for dye fastness in a hidden are before using. Also, be aware that these products will affect all colors on the fabric.

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Leather (Stains on leather) - Do not attempt to treat stains on leather yourself. Take leather to a professional dry cleaner for their opinion. Also, be advised that some changes in the color and "look" of the leather will almost always occur in the cleaning process. This is because there are often differences in the skins used, differences in colorfastness, loss of oils in the cleaning, and other factors related to the nature of the leather.

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Lipstick - Always read and follow the care instructions and any warnings on the garment label.

• Place the stain face down on folded paper towels. Sponge area with dry-cleaning solvent. Replace towels frequently; let dry; rinse.
• Rub with a heavy-duty liquid detergent and launder.
• Repeat treatment if needed using an all-fabric bleach, because it is less damaging to colors and fabric.
• If stain remains, treat as a "Dye Stain."
  

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