Quick Tips to Remove Tricky Stains from Clothing2 min read

We have all felt the frustration of discovering a stain on a favorite piece of clothing, especially hard-to-remove stains like deodorant or lipstick. You may be tempted to discard the item altogether, but don’t give up just yet. Try the following tips for fighting even the peskiest clothing stains! 

Before we get into individual stain removal techniques, it’s important to point out a stain-fighting tip that is true for any stain: Act Fast! As soon as the stain happens, begin a pre-treatment. Don’t wait until after you’ve attempted to launder the item, because the washing process will only set stains further into the fibers of your clothes. Never put your garment in the dryer before you’ve succeeded in removing the stain. 

Lipstick 

Start by using a butter knife or blunt edge to carefully scrape any excess lipstick from the fabric. Spray hairspray onto the lipstick stain, then wait fifteen minutes before wiping it with a damp, warm cloth. Launder the garment as usual.  

Deodorant 

Soak your garment in white vinegar for 45-60 minutes. Gently brush the stain with a toothbrush or clean sponge before laundering in the hottest water temperature the garment instructions allow. 

Oil 

Begin by blotting the stain with a paper towel to extract excess oil from the surface of the item. Apply baking soda on top of the stain, then wait for 30-60 minutes for the baking soda to absorb the oil. Use a toothbrush to scrub the stain until the baking soda thickens with oil. Finally, massage warm dish soap into the stain before laundering in the hottest water temperature the garment instructions allow.   

Red Wine 

Blot the stain with a white cotton cloth – do not rub! Rubbing will only set the stain. Sprinkle a generous amount of table salt on top of the stain, and let it sit for five minutes. Boil some water and pour it carefully over the stain, rinsing out the wine and salt. Launder the garment on the hottest setting the fabric allows. 

Remember to begin the stain removal process as soon as the stain is discovered, and feel free to repeat the process as many times as needed to extract the stain prior to laundering the item. With these quick tips in mind, you’ll be ready to rescue your favorite clothing items from the inevitable messiness of life! For more tips like this, check out The Maids blogs!