One too many stains? The five techniques to recover from any mishap

Why not start out by reading up on the different kinds of stains you may come across, and find out how you can remove them:

Three Types of Stains On Fabrics:

Grease Stains

Grease stains can be lubricating and cooking oils, butter, machine grease and similar substances are some of the most common culprits for these stains. Some grease stains can simply be removed by putting the stained item in the washing machine, whereas some may be harder to remove. Pre-treating by rubbing detergent into the stain often helps remove the stain once it’s been washed. To remove grease spots from non-washable items, simply sponge the stain from the centre to the edge. Complete removal may take several attempts.

Non-Greasy Stains 

Products such as tea, coffee, fruit juice, ink and food colouring can produce non-greasy stains. The best treatment for these kind of stains is to sponge the stain with cool water as soon as possible. If this doesn't work, try soaking the fabric in cool water. You may have to leave the item soaking overnight for the stain to be fully removed. If some stain still remains, rub some liquid detergent into it and rinse with cold water. A non-greasy stain on a non-washable fabric can also be sponged with cool water.

Combination Stains

Combination stains are a mixture of greasy and non-greasy substances. Such stains may require double treatment. First the non-greasy element of the stain should be treated, then the greasy stains should be removed. The first step in treating a combination stain is to sponge the stain with cold water as described above, then the greasy residue should be removed by working liquid detergent into the stain and rinsing thoroughly. Once the fabric has dried, apply dry-cleaning fluid if there is any remaining grease. Repeat applications of cleaning fluid if necessary. 

Basic Rules For Stain Removal

Once you understand the basic rules to removing stains, you’ll be able to deal with them more effectively. Here are a few basic rules:

1.  The quicker you act to remove the stain the better.

2. Remove as much as of the stain as you possibly can before using a stain removing product.

3. Handle stained items gently. Handling the item without care can lead to the stain penetrating through to more of the fibres.

4. Do not use hot water on stains. Heat can make a stain impossible to remove.

5. Work from the centre of the stain outward. This movement helps avoid leaving a ring around the stain.

Can you think of any other tips on removing stains? Please leave your comments below.

This blog was written by Alex Cordwell on behalf of Cleanex Contract Services, the cleaning specialists 

 

www.cleanexcontractservices.com