Fabric Stain Removal Guide
This Stain Removal Guide offers you solutions to common stain problems. All stain removers should be tested prior to use! Pretest stain remover in an inconspicuous area of the fabric to make certain it will not damage the fabric or dyes.
| TYPE OF FABRIC STAIN: | REMOVAL DIRECTIONS: |
| Beer | Soak in a solution of 3 parts water / 1 part white vinegar. |
| Beetroot Juice | Rinse straight away in cold water, then apply a paste of a laundry detergent containing enzymes and water. |
| Blood | Soak for several hours in a solution of 1tsp salt/600ml cold water, then rinse and apply a paste of a laundry detergent containing enzymes and water. Don’t treat the stain with hot water as this will set it. |
| Candle Wax | Scrape off as much as you can, then allow the stain to harden (applying ice cubes or placing the garment in the freezer will speed up the process). Place stain between layers of white paper towels and press with a warm iron, changing the paper as it becomes soiled. Sponge the residue with meths. (Preferably clear methylated spirits) |
| Chewing Gum | Freeze with ice and break off as much as possible. Treat the residue with turps and wash in hot soapy water. |
| Chocolate or Cocoa | Scrape off excess chocolate, then apply a paste of a laundry detergent containing enzymes and water. |
| Coffee or Tea | Soak in warm water with a squirt of dishwashing liquid. If the stain persists, soak a black coffee or tea stain in a solution of 2 parts water/1 part white vinegar. Try a paste of a laundry detergent containing enzymes and water. |
| Crayon | Scrape off as much as you can, then allow the stain to harden (applying ice cubes or placing the garment in the freezer will speed up the process). Place stain between layers of white paper towels and press with a warm iron, changing the paper as it becomes soiled. Sponge the residue with meths. (Preferably clear methylated spirits) |
| Curry | A tricky stain – take garments you value to a dry-cleaner. Otherwise, soak the garment in warm water, squeeze out the excess, apply glycerine and leave for an hour. Rinse, then try a paste of a laundry detergent containing enzymes and water. |
| Deodorants or Antiperspirants | Sponge or soak in a solution of 1Tbsp ammonia/1 cup warm water with a squirt of dishwashing detergent. Treat residual traces with turps. |
| Egg | Apply a paste of a laundry detergent containing enzymes and water. Don’t treat the stain with hot water as this will make it harder to remove. |
| Fats & Oils | Sprinkle with talcum powder, leave for 30 minutes then scrape off. Lubricate older stains with glycerine, then sponge with dishwashing liquid and warm water. Treat residual stains with turps. |
| Fruit Juice | Rinse immediately in cold water. If the stain persists, and the fabric will stand it, spread the item over a bowl and pour boiling water over the stain. Otherwise, sponge or soak the stain in warm water with a squirt of dishwashing liquid. Treat residual stains with meths. (Preferably clear methylated spirits) |
| Glue | Soak cellulose-based glues in cold water with a squirt of dishwashing detergent. Meths (Preferably clear methylated spirits) works on PVA. Other glues may only respond to nail polish remover. (Spot test first.) |
| Grass | Sponge with meths (preferably clear methylated spirits), dry &then soak in water with a squirt of dishwashing liquid. |
| Hair Dye | Blot with warm (not hot) water, then sponge with a solution of 1tbsp ammonia in 1/2 cup water. (Spot test first on coloured fabric.) |
| Hair Spray | Sponge with meths. (Preferably clear methylated spirits) |
| Ink ( ballpoint pen ) | Sponge with meths (preferably clear methylated spirits), then rinse thoroughly in cold water. Repeat as necessary. |
| Ink (liquid & marker ) | Remove excess with absorbent paper. Sponge or dip in a solution of equal parts ammonia and water. (Spot test first on coloured fabrics.) Rinse in warm water. |
| Lipstick or Makeup | Gently rub in glycerine to loosen the stain, then treat with meths (preferably clear methylated spirits). |
| Milk, Cream or Ice Cream | Rinse in warm (not hot) water and dishwashing liquid, then apply a paste of a laundry detergent containing enzymes and water and soak. Treat residual fat stains with turps. |
| Motor Oil | Scrape away as much as possible and sponge with turps. For washable fabrics rub glycerine into the stain. Rinse under a hot tap, then soak in water with dishwashing liquid. |
| Nail Polish | Treat non-synthetic fabrics with nail polish remover. (Spot test first.) Treat any residual marks with meths (preferably clear methylated spirits). Never treat acetate fabrics with nail polish remover – it can melt them! |
| Paint (oil based ) | Scrape off as much as possible and sponge residue with turps. If paint has dried, soften with glycerine first. |
| Paint (water based & latex) | Wash away fresh paint with cold water. Remove residue with meths (preferably clear methylated spirits). Once dry these paints are virtually impossible to remove. |
| Perfume | Apply glycerine, then soak in a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water. |
| Perspiration | Sponge with a solution of 1 part ammonia / 5 parts water, then rinse. Follow up by soaking in a solution of 1 part white vinegar / 3 parts water. |
| Rust | Dab in a paste of lemon juice and salt and leave for an hour. Rinse and repeat if necessary. |
| Scorch marks | Light marks can often be removed by immediately washing in warm soapy water, rinsing and drying in the sun. |
| Shoe Polish | Scrape off the excess then apply a solution of equal parts ammonia and water. If the stain is stubborn treat with meths (Preferably clear methylated spirits). |
| Sunscreen | Absorb excess with tissues, then sponge with methylated spirits. (Preferably clear methylated spirits) |
| Tar or Bitumen | Scrape off as much as possible. Rub in glycerine to soften the stain, leave for 30 minutes, then apply turps or eucalyptus oil. |
| Tomato Sauce | Sponge with dishwashing liquid, then rinse. Apply a paste of a laundry detergent containing enzymes and water and soak. |
| Urine | Soak in a solution of 1 part ammonia/5 parts water. On stubborn stains follow with a solution of 1 part white vinegar/3 parts water. Or use a nappy soaker. |
| Vomit | Remove excess, rinse in cold water, then apply a paste of a laundry detergent containing enzymes and water and soak. |