What to Do if You Don't Know What the Stain Is
What to Do if You Don't Know What the Stain Is
If you don't know what the stain is, its odor, location, and color may give you a clue. Old oil stains may smell rancid, but appear dry. Food stains are often on the front of garments; perspiration stains around collars and underarms; black grease is often on pants or skirts at car-door latch levels.
Stain color may be a misleading clue. For example, rust-colored stains may be coffee, tea, old lemonade stains (carmelized sugar), cosmetics containing benzoil peroxide (which can bleach many colors to look rusty), felt marker, crayon, aged baby formula, or a number of other things. If a heavy waxy or gummy residue is present, you may be dealing with a stain that will respond best to spot treatment with a drycleaning fluid.
Since the appropriate removal method varies with the stain, start by using the least destructive stain removal methods first. If the whole garment can be submerged, start by soaking the garment in cold water (as for protein stains). If not, use warm water and spot treatment technique. Next, use liquid detergent and lukewarm or hot water, rinse and let air dry (as for oil stains). If you suspect the stain is iron rust, treat with rust remover before bleach. If stain persists, use a pretreatment spray or solvent (as for combination stain) and all-fabric bleach. If the all-fabric bleach is ineffective on the stain and the garment is colorfast or white, finally try a dilute solution of liquid chlorine bleach.
Special thanks to Iowa State University for allowing us to reproduce this information.
Reproduced with permission from the Cooperative Extension Service, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, 50011.
Prepared by: Janis Stone,
Textiles and Clothing Specialist,
Iowa State University
No endorsement of companies or their products mentioned is intended, nor is criticism implied of similar companies or their products not mentioned.
The information found on the pages in this section are provided by Ohio State University for educational purposes. ApparelSearch.com is not associated in anyway with Ohio State University. Apparel Search is simply providing viewers of the fashion industry with easy access to the helpful educational material that has been developed by Ohio State University. Please visit the Ohio State University web site to learn more about the wonderful educational opportunities that they provide.Clothing Care and fiber Content Labels
fabrics Labeled "Dry-clean Only"
Garments with Contrasting Colors or Trim
Removing Stains from Washable fabrics:
Spot Treatment Technique (Sponging) for Apparel fabrics
Chemical Solvents and Supplies
Follow These Safety Precautions
What to Do if You Don't Know
Stains Needing Unique Treatment Methods
Additional Stain Removal References
You really should consider washing your clothes if they are dirty. Learn more about washing clothes.
Apparel Search
Add Your Company
Contact
Us About Us
Advertise
News Letter
Legal
Help
Copyright © 1999-2023 Apparel Search Company.
All Rights Reserved.