4 Reasons That Stain Isn’t Budging (and How to Get It Out)
published about 1 hour ago
Laundry is hard. There’s so much of it, and there’s no real way around it. You can’t make it faster, and you can’t make it easier (at least not by any significant margin). And if you don’t keep up with it, it feels like it just might eat you alive.
Perhaps one of the reasons laundry can spiral out of control so quickly is that there are so many steps to the process, rote as they may be. You have to sort, wash, dry, fold, and put everything away. And then there’s the issue of getting rid of stains — a laborious process that doesn’t always work. No wonder you probably often put off the whole task.
Here’s a bit of good news, though: Removing stains doesn’t have to be such a guessing game. When it comes to treating spots — like red wine or a grease stain — there are a handful of mistakes people commonly make. But if you learn to avoid the following pitfalls, you’ll greatly increase your chances of rescuing your favorite shirt.
1. You’re Not Paying Attention to the Type of Stain You’re Dealing With
Different types of stains require different treatments . For instance, oil stains should be treated with surfactants and warm water, while anything but cold water could set blood stains in for good. Organic stains, such as pet stains or grass stains , require treatment with an enzymatic stain remover.
The main point here is to not treat every stain the same way, but according to the specific problem you’re dealing with. Arming yourself with knowledge has a direct impact on the effectiveness of your stain treatment.
2. You Only Have One Type of Stain Cleaner
Now that you know all stains aren’t equal, the good news is: You don’t have to memorize what works to treat what. You can always Google it in the moment — but you want to have a buffet of at least these three stain-removing options on hand:
- One enzyme cleaner (like Nature’s Miracle ) to break down protein stains, like blood , grass , or chocolate
- One type of cleaner with surfactants, like standard dish soap, to treat greasy or oil-based stains
- One oxidizing cleaner (like OxiClean , bleach, or hydrogen peroxide) to use on brightly-colored stains, like red wine , coffee, and dye
3. You’re Letting the Stain Sit Too Long
Treating a stain as soon as possible is the most important part of making sure you can ultimately get that stain out. Even if you don’t have a stain-removing product with you when a stain occurs, dab some room temperature water on it as soon as possible. And avoid scrubbing, as this can further spread the spot. Instead, use a paper towel to blot, helping to draw the stain out of the fabric once you’ve wet it. Soaking the entire garment in cool water can also prevent a stain from setting.
4. You’re Drying Your Garment Before the Stain Is Completely Out
Check your stained items as soon as the wash cycle is done. If the stain is still present, repeat the appropriate stain treatment protocol before you put the garment in the dryer. Heat sets stains, and trying to re-treat a problem area after it’s gone through the dryer is almost always an exercise in futility.
This post originally appeared on Apartment Therapy. See it there: 4 Reasons That Stain Isn’t Budging (and How to Fix It)
Shifrah Combiths
Contributor
With five children, Shifrah is learning a thing or two about how to keep a fairly organized and pretty clean house with a grateful heart in a way that leaves plenty of time for the people who matter most. Shifrah grew up in San Francisco, but has come to appreciate smaller town life in Tallahassee, Florida, which she now calls home. She's been writing professionally for twenty years and she loves lifestyle photography, memory keeping, gardening, reading, and going to the beach with her husband and children.
Source : food
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