Environment and Local Government

Environment and Local Government

Practical Solutions

Government of New Brunswick

Stain removal

Washable Fabrics

Simple products - straight from your kitchen cupboard - can often replace the harsher chemicals of expensive commercial stain-removers.

The type of fabric and age of the stain will affect which treatment works best, and how quickly. Delayed treatment, hot water, and machine-drying may set stains permanently. For best results, attack stains when they are fresh.

As with any laundry product, sometimes it will be necessary to pre-soak a little longer, or to repeat the treatment before laundering as usual.

Note: Always test stain treatments first, on a hidden part of the cloth. Do not use water warmer than is recommended by the instructions on a garment's care label.

Baby Formula

Rub damp fabric with unseasoned meat tenderizer, let stand 10 minutes, rinse with cool water.

Bacon Grease

Sprinkle lightly with baking soda or cornstarch to absorb excess grease, brush off gently without rubbing, and rinse in the warmest water safe for the fabric.
If stain remains, rub with a paste of washing soda and water, let stand 10 minutes, rinse with very warm water; or soak overnight in a strong solution of washing soda and water, rinse, and launder.

Berries/Fruit Juice

Soak in milk, as warm as the fabric will allow.
Or soak in club soda or vinegar, changing the liquid every half hour until no more colour from the stain is evident in the solution.
If stain remains, rub with glycerin, let stand 15 minutes, rinse in lukewarm water.

Blood

Rinse fresh stains in cold water, rub with soap or a paste of cornstarch and water, then rinse in cool water.
For dried blood, soak in cold salt water for several hours and rinse in cool water, rub with soap, and rinse again very thoroughly.
If faint stains remain, bleach by soaking with vinegar and drying in strong sunlight.

Chocolate

Rub spot with glycerin, and rinse.
If stain remains, rub with a paste of washing soda and water.

Coffee/Tea

Soak in equal parts white vinegar and cool water, leaving overnight if necessary.
If cream or coffee whitener leave a greasy mark, rub a paste of washing soda and water into the stain before laundering as usual.

Deodorant/Antiperspirant

Sponge fresh stains with vinegar, and launder as soon as possible.
For older stains, soak overnight in equal parts water and vinegar, then rub with paste of baking soda and water and let stand 1 hour before washing.
Dry white or light-coloured clothing in full sunlight whenever possible.

Glue, White

Scrape off excess, soak in very warm water to loosen glue before laundering as usual.

Grass

Soak in vinegar. The green marks will be removed almost immediately from some fabrics, but most will need to soak for several hours.
If stain remains, sponge with a strong solution of rubbing alcohol and water. Rinse, then scrub with soap and rinse again.
Always check fabric care instructions before applying any bleaching agent.

Gravy

Sprinkle baking soda or cornstarch to absorb excess grease, brush off gently without rubbing, and rinse under running water, as warm as the fabric care instructions allow.
Rub with unseasoned meat tenderizer, then rinse.
If stain remains, rub with paste of baking soda or washing soda and water, let stand 15 minutes, rinse well with very warm water.

Ink/Newsprint

Soak in milk. It may take from 30 minutes to overnight, depending on the type of ink. Note: 'permanent markers' really are permanent.
If stain remains, rub with glycerin and let stand for 15 to 30 minutes, then rinse well with warm water.

Ketchup/Tomato Sauce

Rinse thoroughly under cool running water, then soak in equal parts vinegar and water, changing the liquid as necessary.
If stain remains, soak 2 hours in undiluted vinegar, or in warm milk, then rub with soap and launder as usual.

Lipstick

Rub with paste of washing soda and water, rinse with warm water.
If stain remains, rub with glycerin, let stand 1 hour, rinse with very warm water.

Make-Up

Rub damp cloth with soap, rinse with lukewarm water..
If stain remains, soak 15 - 30 minutes in strong solution of washing soda and warm water, or rub with paste of washing soda and water.

Mold/Mildew

Soak in vinegar or rub with salt and lemon juice, and hang to dry in strong sunlight.

Motor Oil/Grease

Soak in strong solution of washing soda and water, rinse under warm running water, and repeat as required.

Mustard

Rinse immediately under cold running water, rub dishwashing liquid (not soap) into stain, let stand 5 minutes and rinse in cool water.
If stain remains, rub in glycerin and let stand 30 minutes, rinse with equal parts white vinegar and cool water.
Some prepared mustards leave a stubborn stain that will require repeated treatments, and may require bleaching: use undiluted vinegar and strong sunlight.

Paint

Wash spilled latex paint with soap and water immediately, before it dries.
Gently scrape off dried paint and soak stain in hot vinegar or milk -- not all paints can be removed, but it's worth a try.

Perspiration

Maintain sports or work clothes with a 15-minute soak in 1/4 to 1/2 cup salt dissolved in enough water to cover. Launder as usual. Hang clothing to dry, whenever possible, as a dryer's heat can set and yellow the stains.
Sponge fresh stains with equal parts vinegar and water, then launder with 1/4 cup baking soda in the wash water to help freshen heavily-soiled clothing.
For older stains, rub with paste of baking soda and water, or salt and water, and let stand 1 hour before washing as usual.

Rust

Rub with a paste of salt and lemon juice, let stand 15 minutes, rinse and repeat.
If stain remains, soak overnight in undiluted vinegar.

Salad Dressing

Sprinkle baking soda or cornstarch to absorb excess grease, brush off gently without rubbing, and rinse under running water, as warm as the fabric care instructions allow.
If stain remains, soak in strong solution of washing soda and warm water, rinse.

Shoe Polish

Work glycerin into the stain, let stand 15 minutes, runse with warm water.
If stain remains, soak in vinegar, rinse, and repeat glycerin treatment if necessary.

Soy Sauce

Rinse well with cool water, wash with soap or a paste of washing soda and water.
If stain remains, soak in equal parts vinegar and water for 1 hour, rub with soap.

Spaghetti / BBQ Sauce

Rinse with cool water, rub with glycerin and a drop of liquid soap, and rinse again.
Or soak in equal parts vinegar and water, then rinse in cool water.

Urine

Soak in club soda, in equal parts vinegar and water, or in warm milk.
If stain remains, rub wet fabric with unseasoned meat tenderizer, then rinse.

Wax

Scrape off as much wax as possible. Then spread sturdy, unshrinkable fabric over a bowl and carefully pour boiling water on the stained area. Or sandwich a more delicate fabric between layers of paper towel or brown paper bag, and press it carefully with a warm iron. Keep pressing fresh paper against the fabric, until all the melted wax is absorbed.
Follow wax removal by rubbing with paste of washing soda and very warm water to remove any greasy stain left behind.
To bleach out coloured stains, soak in white vinegar and dry in strong sunlight.

Wine

For fresh spills, absorb excess liquid with a clean cloth and immediately sponge with club soda, if available; otherwise use cold water or vinegar.
Or spread salt over the wet stain, let stand 15 minutes, then scrape off and rinse.
If stain remains, soak in warm milk or vinegar for 1 hour, longer if necessary.