Wine Immediately flush or sponge stains with cold water, then soak in detergent and cool water. For red wine, use a pre-treat product. Stains from fruit, including wine and tomato sauce, disappear when boiling water is poured over them. For wine spots on cotton, treat within 24 hours with white distilled vinegar applied directly to the stain and rubbed. Then clean in accordance with instructions on the label. To remove red wine stains, use white wine. To remove red-wine stains, pour a big dose of salt on top of the stain to absorb the liquid. Put the tablecloth into cold water and try to rub out the stain. Use an enzyme detergent in the hottest water safe for the fabric, soak for 30 minutes and launder.
Sweat Prevention is better than curative. Let antiperspirant or deodorant dry completely before putting on your garment. Pre-treat the underarm area of the garment with liquid laundry detergent, so the buildup can be washed away. If the stain is old, treat the area with white or apple cider vinegar to help dissolve the perspiration. Wash in hot water at least every third or fourth time to get rid of the buildup. Soak in warm water with an enzyme soak product. Wash in warmest water safe for stained fabric. If the stain remains, dampen and sprinkle with meat tenderizer. Let stand 30 minutes to one hour. Rub detergent on stain and rewash. One thing that is great for whites is natural sunlight, which helps to bleach out stains.
Spaghetti Sauce Stains from fruit, including tomato sauce, disappear when boiling water is poured over them. Run the fabric, inside out, under cold water to flush out as much of the sauce as possible. Apply liquid laundry detergent to the stained area and let it soak in cold water for 15-30 minutes. Rinse the fabric with cold water. Next, sponge the stained area with white vinegar, applying the vinegar with a clean white cloth. Rinse with cold water, again. Pretreat the stain with a laundry prewash stain remover. Launder in the hottest water the fabric will allow to get out the stain.
Soda Presoak the clothing in a solution of liquid laundry detergent and cool water (approximately 2 tablespoons of detergent to one gallon of water) for at least 30 minutes (if the stain is very old it may need to sit overnight). Pretreat the stain with a laundry prewash stain remover. Launder in the hottest water the fabric will allow to get out the stain.
Pets Poop Soak in warm water with an enzyme soak product. Wash in warmest water safe for stained fabric. If the stain remains, dampen and sprinkle with meat tenderizer. Let stand 30 minutes to one hour. Rub detergent on stain and rewash. Urine Run the fabric, inside out, under cold (not warm or hot) water to flush out as much of the urine as possible. Pretreat the stain with liquid laundry detergent containing enzymes, soaking for 30 minutes in cold water. If the stain is older, you may need to soak even longer, perhaps even overnight. Launder in the hottest water the fabric will allow to get out the stain. Vomit Scrape off any excess vomit from the fabric. Run the fabric, inside out, under the cold water to flush out as much of the vomit as possible. Pretreat the stain with a laundry prewash stain remover. Launder in the hottest water the fabric will allow to get out the stain.
Oil Removing black oil from skin or clothes — baby oil, oil based suntan oil (particularly useful info for sunbathers at the beach who step in oil spill debris). For the removal of oil or fat stains, try corn flour rubbed into the stain and leave for about 20 minutes then brush off with a soft cloth or brush. This may need several applications for a good result. Speed up the process if you wish by placing a paper towel above and below the treated stain and running a hot steam iron over it. Citrus oil (actually, citrus turpine) products – These are made from natural, steam distilled citrus oils, which are natural solvents. They are not non-toxic, but they have the lowest toxicity of all solvents.
Milk Rinse the fabric, inside out, under cold (not warm or hot) water to flush out as much of the milk as possible. Pretreat the stain with liquid laundry detergent containing enzymes, soaking for 30 minutes in cold water. Do not use hot water. If the stain is older, you may need to soak even longer, perhaps even overnight. Launder the item.
Mildew Oxygen bleach is a good choice to remove mildew. If your clothes have visible mold or a mildew smell, soak them in oxygen bleach and hot water before washing as usual. Soak overnight in lemon juice or salty water. Wash in warm soapy water, rinse well and dry in the sun.
Lipstick Generally, lipstick can be removed from washable clothing with isopropyl rubbing alcohol. Use two hand towels; put one down and place the lipstick stain face down on it. Dab the back of the stain with the other towel, which has been dipped into the alcohol. Repeat until stain is gone. If there’s any residue, use a pre-spotter or stain remover before laundering and let air dry to be sure the stain is gone. Lipsticks today have newer formulas, such as those with long lasting agents or those with a lot of gloss. Several treatments may be needed to remove these stains.
Ketchup Run the fabric, inside out, under cold water to flush out as much of the ketchup/salsa as possible. Apply liquid laundry detergent to the stained area and let it soak in cold water for 15-30 minutes. Rinse the fabric with cold water. Next, sponge the stained area with white vinegar, applying the vinegar with a clean white cloth. Rinse with cold water, again. Pretreat the stain with a laundry prewash stain remover. Launder in the hottest water the fabric will allow to get out the stain.