Stain Removal

How to add years to the life of your clothes!

And other cautionary tales about eating spaghetti in a clean white shirt….

Granny was right. Despite the dizzying array of specialised laundry products available, the tried and traditional methods are often the best way to get rid of those stubborn marks from your clothes.

PROBLEM REMEDY
Adhesive Sticky Tape Rub gently with mineral turps
Alcohol Blot with lukewarm water and neutral detergents.
Battery Acid Neutralise with weak solution of baking soda and water.
Beer Sponge with water.
Beetroot Cover with salt and moisten with milk, then rinse.
Blood Wet with lukewarm water (never hot) and bar soap, rub on cold moist starch and allow to dry.
Chocolate & Cocoa Wash in warm soapy water then rinse. If stain persists sponge with water and a few drops of hydrogen peroxide. (Watch out with coloured garments – hydrogen peroxide = bleach!)
Chewing Gum Soak with oil of eucalyptus, then rinse.
Coffee Sponge with warm water and detergent.
Cream Sponge with cold water and detergent. If necessary follow with mineral turps when dry, then rinse.
Deodorants Warm water and detergent with a few drops of cloudy ammonia.
Flower Pollen Stain We all love to receive fresh flowers but have you ever wondered where that strange yellow stain on your shirt came from? Probably from the pollen on a lovely lily when you leant over to smell the fragrance! Here is our best spot tip to remove pollen stains from your clothing:
1. Never rub the pollen stain.
2. If you notice the pollen soon after getting it on your clothes, take the garment off and take it outside and shake of any excess pollen.
3. If the fabric is machine washable soak the item in cold water for at least 30 minutes & rinse thoroughly; repeat these steps until most of the stain has been diluted. Note: You may add some OxyAction bleach to the soaking water.
4. If the stain is still present treat with spot cleaner & then wash the garment in the hottest recommended temprature for the fabric.
5. Check the stained area before drying your garment & if not entirely removed repeat step 4. Note: If your garment is dryclean only we recommend taking your garment to a professional drycleaner.
Fruit or Jam Soak in solution of warm water, detergent and white vinegar.
Grass Sponge with cold water, then cover stain with cream of tartar and brush off when dry.
Iron (rust) Stains Rub gently with lemon juice and rinse.
Lipstick Apply eucalyptus oil then rinse.
Mascara Blot gently with mineral turps.
Mayonnaise Weak solution of water, detergent and cloudy ammonia.
Nicotine Weak solution of detergent and bicarbonate of soda and water.
Oil (vegetable) Keep moist with kerosene ASAP and take to drycleaners.
Paint Light surface stains can be removed with mineral turps.
Perfume Wash with baking soda and water solution.
Perspiration Treat with bar soap and expose to sunshine.
Polish (shoe/furniture)
  1. apply paraffin oil
  2. apply methylated spirits
  3. apply warm water with a few drops of cloudy ammonia
  4. rinse with water and  white vinegar.
Soft Drink Providing stain is still wet, sponge with water.
Soot (on fabric) Use stiff brush followed by mineral turps, then wash.
Tar Blot gently with mineral turps and rinse.
Tea Sponge immediately with warm water and detergent.
Tomato Sauce

Tomato Sauce is a favorite kiwi condiment & also one of the most common stain culprits. If you notice the sauce stain immediately:

1. Quickly flush the item of clothing with cold water from the REVERSE side that you spilt the sauce on. Then continue to step 4.
2. If you don't notice your sauce spill until later, remove the item of clothing and cover the sauce stain with unscented talcum or baby powder - do not rub the powder.
3. Set aside the item for around an hour until the powder has absorbed all of the oils from the sauce & then gently brush the powder from the garment using an old tooth brush.
4.Check the washing label on your item and, if the garment allows, carry out the following: boil your jug and, using a bowl or colander, stretch your garment over the entire opening & hold it in place with a rubber band. Pour the boiling water through the stained area allowing the water to drain into the bowl. This should remove the majority of the stain.
5. Launder as normal to wash out the rest. Note: If your garment is dryclean only we recommend taking your garment to a professional drycleaner.
Urine
  1. sponge with white vinegar,
  2. apply water with a few drops of cloudy ammonia,
  3. apply water with a few drops of vinegar
Vaseline Apply mineral turps, then rinse. Warning: Vaseline sets with heat.
Vomit White vinegar, warm water and detergent.
Wine (Red) Apply white wine or salt and let dry.
Wine (White) Apply white vinegar then rinse.
   

NB.
• Many stains become “set” if left untreated. Never apply heat to a stain for too long.
• The suggestions for removing stains have been compiled as a service to our consumers. We are unable to guarantee or be responsible for the results obtained by these procedures. You may also wish to consult your local cleaner for further recommendations. Before attempting the stain removal method, test each procedure on an inconspicuous area of the material to be cleaned.