Stain removal can be difficult. For example, have you got grease, red wine, cola, coffee or maybe sweat on your clothes? Here you will find the stain removal guide to get rid of all those annoying stains.
What stain problem do you have?
Stain removal can be many things! And the method for how best to get rid of the stain depends a lot on what kind of stain you have.
We have therefore compiled the stain removal guide for you here to save your uniform. So read along and learn more about how to handle exactly the stain problem you are facing.
So, scroll down and find your stain problem and use our tips and advice so you can get rid of the stain.
Step by step: Before you clean
- Check the washing instructions to make sure your method will work.
- Test the detergent on a small, hidden spot before starting on the actual stain.
- If your test is successful, start on the stain itself
Grease strains
A grease stain can in many cases be easier to remove than other types of stains, as oil-based stains can be broken down effectively with something quite simple like dishwashing liquid!
Remember to check the washing instructions on the clothes first.
Before you start the stain removal process, it is important that you check the washing instructions on the affected piece of textile.
It's better to be sure the clothes can withstand the cleaning process before you start and risk ruining the clothes.
How to remove the grease stain:
- Lay your clothes out and cover the stain with your neutral detergent.
- Afterwards, gently rub the detergent into the fabric.
- Let it sit and work for 5-6 hours.
- Wash the clothes normally.
*When washing above 60 degrees, most grease stains will come off.
If your clothes can handle it, start by using your detergent in a hidden spot on the clothes - It could be at a seam.
This way you avoid using a product that might discolor or cause additional stains on your clothes.
Use neutral detergent
Whether the stain is on colored or white clothing, neutral dishwashing detergent can do the trick for you.
Many people already have sulfur at home for use when washing dishes.
And it works just as well as some of the expensive stain removers you can buy in the supermarket.
Oil stains
Oil stains can be annoying.
We have a tip on how to remove e.g. bicycle chain oil and cooking oil.
Step by step: remove bicycle chain oil
- Start by dabbing a little cleaning solvent on the stain.
- Dab with paper towel on both sides of the stain.
- Repeat 2-3 times or until you can no longer see the stain.
- Rub a little dishwashing liquid (colorless) on the stain
- Wash as normal
Step by step: remove cooking oil
Always test the stain remover process in a hidden area.
- Soak the oil stain with your neutral and colorless dishwashing detergent
- Place your stained clothing or textile in an airtight bag and let it rest for 4-5 hours.
- Wash the clothes as usual.
Cola stains
Have you spilled cola on your clothes?
First, start by soaking up the excess cola with a cloth as much as possible.
Step by step: Remove cola stains from clothes
Get rid of cola stains with these three simple steps.
- Moisten the stain with neutral dishwashing detergent.
- Let it sit and work for 6-8 hours (preferably overnight)
- Wash the clothes normally.
Red wine stains
It's a good wine.
But the color is hideous to get on the clothes.
Fortunately, there is advice on how to best get rid of the red spot – no matter where it is.
Wet red wine stains
- If it is a fresh stain, rinse it with plenty of water.
- Remember, however, that you must get the stain completely removed the first time!
Dried red wine stains
If the stain has dried and it's on washable clothing, then you need to grab your neutral dishwashing detergent.
- You apply the detergent to the stain and leave it overnight.
- Afterwards, you just wash the clothes as usual.
Bonus tip
If you have glycerin at home, you can also apply it to the stain.
Leave it overnight, then add dishwashing detergent and wash the clothes as usual.
However, you should be aware that glycerin is a fat and therefore may have difficulty dissolving if you wash at too low a temperature.
Coffee and tea stains
Most of us cannot avoid drinking coffee or tea.
And it happens that we spill some of it on the clothes.
Whether it's a fresh or old stain, you should be able to get rid of it.
How to remove a fresh coffee or tea stain
- Rub the clothing that has coffee on it under running water and rub gently.
- You can also try lukewarm milk at the maximum temperature your clothes can be washed at. This is preferably between 30 and 40 degrees.
Get rid of that old coffee or tea stain
- If your clothes can be washed, dip them in whole milk and then apply neutral and colorless dishwashing detergent.
- Then you just wash the clothes normally.
Stains from nail polish
If by chance you get nail polish on your clothes, we have some advice on how to remove it.
- You need to get hold of Amyl acetate, which you can buy at the pharmacy.
- Then remove the stain from the back with your oil-free nail polish remover or acetone. You should first check what material the fabric is made of, as both acetate and triacetate can damage the fabric.
- Then wash normally.
Chewing gum stains
There's nothing as annoying as getting chewing gum on your clothes.
Here's our advice on how to get it off.
Freeze the gum to make it easier to remove.
- If the substance can go in the freezer, do it!
- When the stain becomes hard, it is easier to remove.
- If you can't get the clothes into the freezer, use a bag of ice instead (or the obligatory frozen peas most people have in the freezer drawer).
- When the stain is hard, break off as much of the gum as possible.
- Afterwards, remove the residue with benzine or acetone.
Remember to take care of your clothes
- If you choose to use acetone, be aware that the fabric may be damaged.
- Therefore, check whether the fabric can withstand the acetone.
- Finally, apply dishwashing detergent and let it sit for a few hours.
- Then wash the clothes normally.
Rust stains
Do you have rust on your clothes?
So, start by rubbing the stain with lemon juice and let it sit for a few hours before washing it normally.
Doesn't it work?
If lemon juice and salt don't work, you can try rust remover, which you can buy at your local dry cleaner. They can also guide you on how to use the product.
*Remember that rust softens the fabric, so be aware that holes may appear in the clothes when you wash them.
Bloodstains
Here you will find tips for removing blood stains from textiles and wool.
Blood on textiles
- If the blood stain is fresh, rinse it immediately with cold water.
- Then rub or tap gently until the stain is gone.
- Afterwards, wash normally.
- Otherwise, you should let the clothes soak for half an hour.
- Then wash normally.
Blood stains on wool
- When you have blood on either wool or silk, you only need water and 2 teaspoons of salt per liter.
- If you use an enzyme-containing soap, you risk damaging the fabric.
- Soak the clothes overnight to dissolve the tough stains. Unfortunately, some will never come off.
Stains from flower pollen
It can be challenging to get rid of pollen stains but always give it a try before throwing away the clothes.
- Start by trying to vacuum away as much of the dust as possible.
- Then apply dishwashing liquid (colorless) and let it sit for at least 4 hours (or overnight).
- Then wash the clothes normally.
Ballpoint pen stains
Stains form ballpoint pens can be difficult to get rid of.
But fortunately, there is advice on how to get rid of the blue, black or maybe even red stain on your clothes.
Read below and you will get our best step-by-step guide on how to get rid of the pen stain.
Fresh ballpoint pen stains
- Dab the stain in whole milk and then wash normally.
- If the affected clothing cannot withstand being washed at least 60 degrees, you can instead pour dishwashing liquid on the stain and let it sit for at least 6 hours.
- Afterwards, wash the clothes normally.
Old ballpoint pen stains
- If it's been a long time since you were hit by the pen, you can try to remove the stain by dabbing it with rubbing alcohol.
- However, remember to place the clothing on an absorbent surface and continue until the stain no longer comes off.
- Afterwards, apply colorless dishwashing detergent and then wash the clothes normally.
Stains from asphalt
If there is asphalt on your clothes that you can't get off.
- Try putting butter, cooking oil or margarine on the stain and letting it sit for 8-10 hours.
- Then scrape off as much as you can and then apply dishwashing liquid (colorless) and let it sit for 6 hours.
- Finally, you can heat the stain with steam and wash the clothes normally.
Source: Dansk Renseri Forening