how do you get a stain out of delicate white clothes

Step one: Stay calm

Cheryl is a writer, editor, and nutritionist who has worked with brands such as USA Today, Cosmo, Glamour, and more. She covers nutrition, beauty, food, and fashion.

Grease Stains

"Basic white chalkboard chalk is a great tool to use when working with grease stains," says Kostis. Other chalky substances such as baking soda or white chalk can also help to soak up the grease. Pre-treat by sprinkling baking soda on the stain and letting it sit for about 10 minutes. Then scrub with a gentle brush.

Wine: Red and Pink Stains

There are several options to remove wine stains. Start by saturating the stain with cold water. Then blot it dry with a white cloth and try to soak up/absorb any wine. Then apply salt and let it sit for five minutes. Rinse with cold water and blot it once again with the cloth.

Food Stains

"Most food stains will require a cold water soak, so start there," says Kostis. "It's a safer move than hot, as hot can sometimes set a stain depending on the fabric," she says. For a great multipurpose cleaner, mix one part water with two parts white vinegar in a spray bottle.

Coffee And Tea

"You have to catch coffee and tea stains very quickly," says Kostis. "I like using a clean stain removing spray by Grove Collaborative for large stained areas, and the ESR stain wipes [for smaller spots]," she says. They both can work in one step to lift stains before they set in. Ensure that your garment is well saturated with the stain remover.

Dirt

"I feel that OxiClean White Revive does the trick with dirt on whites," says Kostis. "I like the liquid form of this product specifically because you can pre-treat by scrubbing and using it as a soak," she says. Allow your garment to soak first, then add more product and gently scrub with a non-abrasive brush to work on the stain.

How to get pink stains out of a sandpaper?

Cover the stain in salt, which will absorb the color (the salt will begin to turn pink), then soak it in cold water with an enzymatic laundry detergent overnight. Repeat the soak with new water if necessary, then wash as usual. Next up: Removing more types of stains.

How to get rid of fruit juice stain?

Image: kovtynfoto/Shutterstock. Shutterstock / kovtynfoto. Dilute the stain with cold running water and apply an enzymatic laundry detergent directly to the stain, making sure you completely cover the stain, and allow it to sit for 20 minutes.

How to get protein stains out of clothes?

To remove them, soak the affected clothing in the washing machine in cool water mixed according to package directions with oxygenized non-chlorine bleach (e.g., OxiClean) for eight hours. Repeat as many times as needed, then when the stain is gone, wash and dry as usual. 2. Bodily fluids & other organic protein stains.

How to get pink water out of clothes?

If the water begins to turn pink, replace it and keep going until the water stops turning pink. Rinse the garment well, blot the stain, and apply an enzymatic stain remover (one with extra stain-fighting power if possible), allowing it to sit before washing.

How to remove milk stains from clothes?

If the stain has dried, you’ll first need to gently scrape or brush off anything that’s crusted on the garment. Then soak it for five to 30 minutes (depending on how old the stain is) in cool water with an enzyme presoak, repeating with fresh water if necessary. If the stain has already discolored, try washing it with a bleach product safe for the color of the fabric. This method is effective on egg and breast milk stains as well.

What detergent is used to clean a sweaty body?

Bodily fluids & other organic protein stains. Sweat, vomit, and all of those other fun bodily fluids are going to require the use of enzymatic detergent (which breaks down proteins) and oxygenated non-chlorine bleach. Wash it on the hottest setting recommended for the fabric.

How to get rid of a stain on a rug?

First, the earlier you start to treat any stain the better. Second, always remove as much of it as you can by removing any excess and blotting (never rubbing) the area with clean water (an ice cube works in a pinch) or running it under cool water.

How to remove nail polish from machine washables?

How to treat machine-washables: Immediately scrape off any excess nail polish with a dull knife or spatula. Take care not to smear the polish as you scrape. Take to a professional dry cleaner, or place the stain facedown on several layers of clean paper towels. Apply polish remover to the back of the stain. Replace towels as they accept polish. Repeat if stain begins to lift. Rinse and launder.

How to treat chocolate stain?

How to treat machine-washables: Pretreat in warm water with a product containing enzymes. Or treat with a prewash stain remover ($3, Target) before laundering. If stain remains, rewash the item with bleach safe for the fabric.

How to remove sweat stains from clothes?

How to treat machine-washables: Apply ammonia to fresh stains or white vinegar to old stains; rinse. Launder using the hottest water safe for the fabric, or wash with an enzyme product or color-safe bleach.

How to treat ink stains?

How to treat machine-washables: Pretreat with stain remover and launder as usual. If stain remains, place the item on clean paper towels. Sponge the area around the stain with denatured alcohol ($6, The Home Depot) before applying the solvent to the stain.

How to get rid of a stain that is not washable?

How to treat nonwashables: Flush the stain with cold water. Apply diluted white vinegar to the stain with an eyedropper. Rinse the spot with cool water.

How to get rid of nonwashable stains?

How to treat nonwashables: Flush the stain with cold water. Apply diluted white vinegar to the stain with an eyedropper. Rinse the spot with cool water.

How to get oil stains out of jeans?

How to treat machine-washables: Work liquid dish soap into the stain with a clean cloth. You can also use a pre-treatment stain remover before laundering with hot water. This method also works to get oil stains out of jeans.

How to get rid of a sand stain on carpet?

Leverette recommends blotting the stain and mixing a solution of two teaspoons of dishwashing detergent in two cups of warm water. Dip a clean white cloth, sponge, or soft bristle brush in the solution. Working from the outside edge of the stain toward the center to keep it from spreading, work the cleaning solution into the stain. Blot with a dry cloth to absorb the solution. “Keep moving to a clean area of the cloth as the stain is transferred. Finish by dipping a clean cloth in plain water to rinse the spot. This is especially important because any soapy residue left in the carpet will actually attract more soil,” she explains. Allow the stain to air dry away from direct heat, then vacuum to lift the carpet fibers.

How to get rid of grass stains on a rug?

Leverette recommends treating grass stains with a stain remover or a bit of heavy-duty laundry detergent (Tide and Persil contain the needed enzymes to remove the stains). “Work the stain remover into the fabric with your fingers or a soft-bristled brush. Set aside for 15 minutes and then wash as usual.

How to get urine stains out of a rug?

Rugs and upholstery. As soon as possible, soak up urine stains with white paper towels, an old cloth, or a wet/dry shop vacuum, says Leverette. If using a cloth, press it firmly into the stain using an old shoe and keep moving to a dry area or new paper towel to absorb as much liquid as possible.

How to get rid of odor from fabric?

Leverette says washing the item with a heavy-duty detergent in the hottest water recommended for the fabric should do the trick. “Add one cup of distilled white vinegar to the rinse water to help with odor removal. If the stain is old and the odor is strong, mix a solution of cool water and add two cups white distilled vinegar. Completely submerge the fabric and allow it to soak overnight,” she says. Wash as recommended above. Line drying the items outside will also help get rid of the odors.

How to get grease stains out of a drywall wall?

Richardson advises dabbing grease stains with laundry soap and rinsing with water. Follow up by dabbing a little white vinegar on the spot if the stain still shows.

How to get a stain out of a shirt?

Leverette recommends “flushing” the stain by holding the fabric wrong side up under running cold-water to force the stain out — contrary to advice, club soda doesn’t work any better than plain water, she says. Mix a solution of oxygen bleach and cool water (or use a product with those ingredients) and soak the entire garment for at least one hour. “Four hours are better, overnight is best,” she says. Check the stains and wash as usual.

How to clean up wine spilled on carpet?

To clean up spilled wine on a carpet, dab a solution of water and bleach alternative on the stain and follow up by dabbing it with a towel of clean hot water. AndreyPopov / iStockphoto - Getty Images. There’s nothing like putting on a new item of clothing only to spill something on it right after. Or, that proud feeling ...

How to get sweat stains out of oven mitt?

While wearing an oven mitt, carry the pot over to your sink or bowl and pour the boiling water directly over your sweat stain. This will loosen the fabric and make the sweat stains easier to scrub away. ...

How to get sweat stains out of white clothes?

To get sweat stains out of white clothing, start by turning it inside out and placing it in a sink or bowl. Then, fill a separate bowl with equal parts of baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and water. About 1/4 cup of each should be enough for 1 shirt or pair of pants. Set that aside, then bring a pot of water to a boil.

How to get a stain out of a sandpaper?

Pour the baking soda solution directly on to the stain and scrub it. With a spoon, scoop your solution directly on top of the stains. Let it soak for at least 5 minutes. After it soaks, scrub the stain with a scrub brush or toothbrush in soft, circular motions until the stain disappears.

How to get stains out of reversed clothes?

Place your reversed item of clothing inside a large bowl or sink, with the stain resting at the lowest point in the bowl or sink. This method will not work with spandex, which can be damaged by hot water. Using baking soda and hydrogen peroxide may cause discoloration if you’re removing stains from colored fabric. ...

Why does my skin get sweat stains?

Learn more... Sweat stains are caused by a combination of the chemicals in your deodorant and the minerals in your skin. Luckily, most acidic cleaners will remove the stains without damaging your clothing. Since most soaps and laundry detergents aren’t acidic enough, you’ll need to use something a little stronger.

What happens if you don't wash your clothes with baking soda?

Warning: If you don’t wash your clothing soon after using the baking soda and hydrogen peroxide, then you run the risk of letting residual stains settle permanently.

How to get a lemon stain out of a glass?

1. Fill a glass with water and lemon juice. Squeeze several lemons into a small glass until it’s half full. Then, top the lemon juice off with room temperature water until your glass is filled to the brim. You can add 1 teaspoon (4 grams) of salt to the mixture if you’d like to make the stain easier to scrub.

How to get rid of discoloration on clothes?

If only one or two spots of color have transferred onto a piece of clothing, Reichert recommends trying an oxygen bleach first. To start, dissolve oxygen bleach in hot water, then add enough cold water to cool the mixture. Soak the garment in this solution for 15-30 minutes, then rinse.

How to get rid of chlorine stains on clothes?

It the stain remains, and the care labels allow the use of chlorine bleach, wash the clothes again, this time using just 1/8 cup of chlorine bleach, your regular detergent and cold water. Repeat as needed. Once the discoloration has been removed, run the entire load through another rinse cycle to remove any residual chlorine.

What to do if your laundry becomes discolored?

Remove the item that caused the problem. Re-wash the affected clothing using oxygen bleach (per package directions), your regular detergent and the hottest water recommended on the care labels.

How to get rid of socks in laundry?

First, sort clothes according to color before washing them. Keep a dedicated mesh zippered laundry bag , like this, on hand to contain socks and other small laundry items. Thoroughly check pockets, pant legs and sleeves and remove colored items like mittens, scarves and socks that may be hiding there. Make sure all clothes have been removed ...

What to use to restore white fabric?

In addition to Reichert’s recommendations, the American Cleaning Institute recommends using a packaged color remover to restore white fabrics that have picked up color from other fabrics. After color has been removed, launder as usual. Note: Some color removers are for whites only.

Can a red sock make white clothes pink?

Just as one bad apple spoils the whole bunch, one red sock can leave an entire load of whites looking pretty in pink. When this disaster strikes, don’t despair. Just follow the advice of cleaning coach Leslie Reichert and your white clothes will return to being bright and light in no time.