General Fabric Stain Removal Tips
When trying to remove fabric stains knowing the general removal tips could be what you need to remove any stain. The following is a list of rules that will help you each time you come across a fabric stain and are unsure as to how to treat it. Of course there are more in dept step-by-step procedures you can follow for specific stains, but it helps to know these basic tips.
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Fresh stains are easier to remove then old dried stains. This means the sooner you can begin the stain removal process the better. Sometimes if stains are left for too long there is no way to remove the stain.
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If the stain is fresh you can use a clean white absorbent paper towel to soak up the excess liquid. You need to use a white paper towel to see when you have completely soaked up the liquid. If the stain has dried into a solid you can use a dull knife to scrape away any residue.You will need to be gentle so that you do not scrape a hole into the fabric.
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You should not rub dark colored towels or terry cloth towels on a stain. These two types of towels can make the situation a lot worse.
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NEVER rub bar soap on a stain. The bar soap can make the stain set into the fabric more than it already has.
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If the garment is dry-clean only try and get the clothing to the dry cleaner in 24 to 48 hours. Again the longer the stain sits on the garment the harder it is to remove.
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Suede, leather, and fur are very difficult to treat without ruining the fabric. It might be best to seek the help of a professional. These types of fabrics are expensive and you do not want a botched stain removal attempt to ruin what could have been saved.
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Do not use hot water on stains that may contain protein. A few common stains that contain protein are blood, milk, eggs, etc... Hot water will only further set the protein stains into the fabric.
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When using any type of stain fighting chemical or product, try testing it on the fabric first. Many stain fighting chemicals can cause colored fabrics to fade or become bleached. To avoid making the stain worse you should test the chosen product on a small area of the garment. If the fabric does not change color you will know the stain removal product is safe to use on the fabric.
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Try to not rub or scrub any fabrics. Excessive rubbing can cause the stain to spread or even cause damage to the fibers or color of the fabric.
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Do not iron or dry fabrics that have been stained. Heat will only set the stain into the fibers further.
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Before doing a load of laundry check the garments for stains. There are many stains that require a pretreatment before washing. If this step is not completed before laundering you could do more harm than good.
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If you have a heavily soiled article of clothing you should wash it separately. If there is too much of a stain you can spread the stain to the other cleaner clothing in the washer.
These are just a few tips to help you in your mission to remove fabric stains. There are more in depth step-by-step directions for different types of stains and fabrics, but these tips should be helpful the next time you have to remove a stain from your fabric.
