tain removal is a necessary part of clothing care. Quick and cautious S stain removal keeps clothes in wearable condition longer and helps reduce clothing costs. This publication Quick ’n Easy gives questions to ask yourself before removing stains and explains how to re- move many stains from washable fabrics. Stain Removal What does the clothing care label say? Clothing manufacturers are required to attach a “permanent care label” to most Does fi ber content matter? runs too long. Steam pressing some- clothing to indicate the care recom- Yes. Fibers with different chemical compo- times removes heat-set wrinkles, but mended. Labels may be in the back of sition behave differently when stained and the melting temperature of the fi bers the neckline, waistline, or a back or side when treated with stain removal agents. is so close to the temperature needed seam. Check the care label to see if the Hang tags or other labels on clothing tell to iron out wrinkles that pressing fabric is washable or dry-cleanable. the fi ber content. Knowing this information must be done carefully to avoid melt- Some items helps you make better judgments about ing and creating holes. Heat shrinkage that are wash- stain removal procedures. Hang tags also may make the restored garment fi t able cannot be may identify invisible durable press or soil differently. To prevent wrinkling in dry-cleaned. For release fi nishes that interfere with stain washable blends and permanent press example, some removal or make it easier. For example, oily clothes: fl ocked fabrics or stains bond more fi rmly to durable press - avoid overloading the washer, as sequin trimmed fabrics than to untreated fabrics, making clothes should move freely; garments have adhesives that dissolve removal more diffi cult. Keep these points - set washer water temperature at in dry-cleaning fl uid. The care label also about fi ber content in mind when choosing warm, not hot, for the permanent may carry other warnings such as “Do stain removal procedures: press cycle; not use chlorine bleach.” Be sure to fol- - dry clothing on the permanent press low these recommendations. ■ Acetate fabrics dissolve in fi ngernail setting; polish remover (acetone). Triacetate and - remove clothing from the dryer at the end of the cycle and do not over- What if the care label says modacrylic fabrics can be damaged by acetone or paint thinner. dry; and “dry-clean only”? - hang garments on hangers after The procedures described in this publica- ■ Acrylic, nylon, olefi n, polyester, and drying, as temporary wrinkles usually tion do not apply to garments labeled “dry- blends of these synthetic fi bers make “relax” or fall out in a few hours. clean only.” Stains on most of these items tough, durable fabrics, but also attract cannot be removed successfully at home. oil stains. Remove oil stains promptly. If If a stained garment is labeled “dry- oil stains dry in the dryer or are ironed Table of Contents clean” or “professionally dry-clean,” into fabrics containing these fi bers or What does the clothing care label say? ........1 blot up the excess stain and take the fi nishes, removal is extremely diffi cult. What if the care label says “dry-clean only”? ..1 Does fi ber content matter? ..........................1 garment to the cleaners as soon as pos- If treated quickly, however, oil stains sible (within 24 to 48 hours). Can garment design affect stain removal? ...2 usually can be removed easily. Oil stains What are the most important points in appear as darkened spots or splotches stain removal? .........................................2 Tailored linens, silks, and wools often on most plain medium colors, such as What are the common stain removal must be dry-cleaned. Tell the cleaner the light blue or khaki permanent press chemicals? ...............................................2 What supplies are needed for stain removal? .3 fi ber content of the clothing and the type shirts, and on bright colors, such as red Are stain removal chemicals safe? ...............4 of stain, if you know. Suede, leather, and nylon athletic gear. fur require professional cleaning services Can similar stains be treated alike? .............4 What if you don’t know what the stain is? ..5 not offered by every dry-cleaner. ■ Synthetic fi ber fabrics are heat sensitive What is spot treatment or “sponging”? ........5 and deform, shrink, and melt at high What about more diffi cult stains? ...............6 A label’s recommendation for dry-clean- temperatures. They can get more-or-less What about other remedies? .......................7 Can staining problems be explained or ing usually is based on the fi ber content permanent wrinkles in the spin cycle of of the clothing, but may relate to other avoided? ..................................................7 a washing machine set for a hot-water Stains in Alphabetical Order .......................8 parts of the garment, such as interfacing, wash, or from an overcrowded dryer that Pm-858 Reviewed April 2009 ■ Cotton, linen, lyocell, rayon, ramie, and other cellulosic fi bers are weak- What are the most important points in stain removal? ened by repeated exposure to dilute ■ Take care of stains promptly. Fresh ■ Avoid excessive rubbing unless the fab- solutions of liquid chlorine bleach. stains are much easier to remove than ric is tough and durable. Rubbing can However, bleach can be used safely those more than 24 hours old. spread the stain and damage the fi ber, on cellulosic fi bers for occasional fi nish, or color of the fabric. However, stain removal. Undiluted bleach ■ Blot up any excess liquid with a clean gentle to vigorous rubbing and agita- weakens fabrics so that they tear or white cloth or paper towel. Remove tion under running water helps re- wear out more quickly. excess solids by gentle scraping or move dried food, protein, or oil stains chipping with a dull knife or metal from shirts or jean-weight fabrics made Cellulosic fi bers can be scorched spatula. With some solids, such as of cotton or cotton/polyester blends. when the ironing or drying tem- heavy amounts of surface mud, re- perature is too high. Scorching or moval may be easier after the stain has ■ Do not iron or press stained fabrics yellowing occurs as the fi ber begins dried. Brush off the excess before the until the stain is completely removed. to burn. Scorching is not reversible, clothing is submerged for washing. Heat sets most stains. but if the fabric is thick enough and the damage is slight, the spot may be ■ Avoid rubbing the stained area with ■ Wash heavily stained items separately. “removed.” (See page 6.) a linty terry towel or a dark-colored Soil and stains can be redeposited on cleaner clothing during laundering if, ■ Olefi ns may be damaged by perchlo- cloth. You may complicate the problem. roethylene solvent, but are resistant a) too little detergent is used, b)water to trichloroethylene and fl uorocarbon ■ Never rub a fresh stain with bar soap. temperature is too low, c)washing time dry-cleaning solvents. Soap sets many stains. is too long, or d) the washer is loaded with too many clothes. Never wash family ■ clothes with pesticide-soiled clothes. ■ Silk, wool, and other hair fi bers, Check laundry for stains before wash- such as camel or cashmere, are made ing. Many stains need pretreatment. ■ of protein and dissolve in fresh liquid Avoid using hot water on stains of chlorine bleach. Dilute solutions of ■ Inspect wet laundry before drying to unknown origin. Hot water can set liquid chlorine bleach cause perma- be sure a stain has been removed. If a protein stains like milk, egg, or blood. nent yellowing and stiffening of wool stain is still evident, do not dryer dry. ■ fi bers and cause weakening and color The heat of drying makes the stain Use the water temperature recom- loss in silk. more permanent. mended on stain removal products and detergents. Hot water should be between ■ 120 and 140°F, warm water between ■ Vinyl or natural rubber fabrics Before starting on the stain, test stain or fi lms are damaged by most oil removal agents on a seam or hidden area 85 and 105°F, and cold water between solvents. Oil solvents tend to remove of the garment to be sure they do not 65 and 75°F. Water below 60°F is too the plasticizer in vinyl fi lm fabrics, affect the color or fi nish of the fabric. cold for detergents to be helpful. stiffening them. Can garment design What are the common stain removal chemicals? affect stain removal? Yes. Many garments are designed with Common name Chemical Brand Name dark fabrics and white trim or white Alcohol (rubbing) isopropyl fabrics and bright colored trim, such Ammonia ammonium hydroxide Mr. Clean as red piping. When these fabrics are Color remover sodium hydrosulfi te Rit, Run Away washed, colors can “run.” A white shirt Commercial stain removers* isopropyl alcohol or Easy Wash, may become streaked with pink from its other unspecifi ed ingredients Tech, Whizz red trim. If this happens, try rewashing Dry-cleaning fl uid or perchloroethylene, Aerosol Shout, the garment with a heavy-duty detergent petroleum-based trichloroethylene Spray’n Wash, in hot or warm water, then air dry. If the pretreatment solvent petroleum distillates K2R Spot Lifter staining remains, repeat the process. It Lemon juice and salt citric acid and sodium chloride is not likely that the excess dye from the Nail polish remover acetone trim is permanently set in the new loca- Naphtha Naphtha Energine tion; it may easily wash away. Sometimes Rust removers** hydrofl uoric acid, oxalic acid RoVer, Whink, Yellow Out, Wow bleaching helps, but bleach may fade the Photo supply acid fi xer sodium thiosulfate other colors in the garment.