A stain can be tough to get out of your clothing. If not attacked in the right way, it can set in, ruining your clothes. Some common stains are trickier than others to remove. Here are some tips to combat some of the toughest:
Lipstick
White toothpaste works best on lipstick stains. Rub a small amount of the paste (don't use a gel formula) into the fabric, then wash with cold water.
Mud
Let a mud stain dry before attempting to treat it. Gently brush off any loose dirt. You can use a cut potato to help remove the stain, by rubbing the cut surface of the potato on the spot. Soak the garment in cold water for about 30 minutes and then wash as usual.
Red Wine
Rub some table salt onto the stain and let sit for a few minutes. Then stretch the fabric across a wide bowl and carefully pour boiling water over the salt and through the stain. Once the stain is removed, you can launder as usual. If the stain is not completely removed, you can treat with a solution of equal parts hydrogen peroxide and dishwashing liquid. This is effective even for set-in red wine stains.
Ballpoint Pen
Use hair spray to remove this type of stain. As soon as possible, spray the stain with the hair spray and blot with a clean cloth. Rinse in cold water and launder as usual.
Mustard
Mustard stains are particularly difficult to remove if left for any amount of time, so treat these stains as soon as possible. Saturate the stain with a solution made from one cup water, 1 teaspoon dishwashing liquid, and one teaspoon vinegar. Let sit for several minutes and then rinse with cool water. If the stain remains, gently rub powdered laundry detergent into the stain and let sit for several more minutes. Rinse again in cool water. Once the stain is removed, you can launder the garment as usual.
It’s always fun to learn something new! At the Brookstone Park Apartments in Covington, Louisiana, we love to provide you with fun, thought-provoking facts that will make you reflect on different aspects of life.