How to Use Bleach to Remove Stains

By Matt Oden | Comments

Almost every household uses bleach. But knowing how to use bleach to remove stains is as important as knowing how useful this chemical is for cleaning, laundering, and disinfecting.

Household bleach can remove colored stains from white fabrics and clothing; it is important, however, to know that chlorinated bleach is not for use on certain fabrics, as it will do more harm than good.

Chlorine bleach is perfect for removing a number of common stains, including garden soil stains and juice stains.

Using Bleach to Remove Grease Stains

Grease stains can be generated by cooking oils, machine grease, better, or similar substances. It is important that you understand how to use bleach to remove stains such as grease by properly pre-treating the item.

If, for instance, you spilled grease while cooking on your white blouse, take the item and rub laundry detergent directly onto the area. If your shirt is old or it has been ironed, a yellow spot might appear after you have pre-treated it with a solvent; however, bleach will effectively remove this residue.

If you are using bleach to remove stains from non-washable fabrics, take a sponge and work your way from the center of the grease stain to the edge using a stain-removal product. This might require several applications and the spot should be allowed to dry completely before a repeat application.

Pre-Treatment for Grease Stains

The pre-treatment to remove grease stains can also be done on non-washable fabrics using absorbent substances like corn meal, French chalk, fuller’s earth, or cornstarch. These absorbents should be dusted upon the spot to pick up the grease. This procedure can be repeated as often as necessary before using bleach to remove stains.

Once this has been done, you should place the item in the washer with bleach and run it through the cycle. Verify whether or not the entire stain and possible yellow residue is left upon the fabric before placing it in the dryer.

Using Bleach on Non-Grease Stains

Non-grease stains include things such as food coloring, ink, fruit juice, coffee, and tea. The best pre-treatment for these items is to sponge at the stain with cold water. Let the washable item to sit in the cold water for one half hour. If the stain is still not removed, then allow it to sit overnight.

If it is mostly removed at this point, rub liquid detergent upon the stained area and let it sit for another few minutes. If the stain is not removed entirely, soak the item in cold water before using bleach to remove stains from it in the washing machine.

Using Bleach on Combination Stains

The third types of stains from which you can use bleach to remove stains are combination stains. These include things such as coffee which had cream, lipstick, or Thousand Island dressing. These are items which have greasy and non-greasy elements contained in them.

These should be pre-treated with a sponge and cold water, followed by rubbing liquid detergent onto the area and rinsing it thoroughly. Once the item has dried, a cleaning agent should be applied allowed to dry. Once this is done, you can remove stains with bleach in the washer.

Should your fabric smell too heavily of bleach after it has been washed, you can place it back into the washer into an extra rinse cycle to remove the stain.

Chlorine bleach should not be used on certain fabrics such as wool or silk. It should also not be used for synthetic fabrics. Before using chlorine bleach you should check the labels on every piece of clothing and ensure that the stain is fully removed prior to placing the items in the dryer. Once an item is placed into the dryer the heat will set the stain.