How to remove stains
The quicker we can remove stains, the easier it is. It is also much easier to get rid of stains if they are removed before the garment is machine washed. You can certainly get rid of old stains too, although it may take a little more effort.
The magic ingredient is lemon soap or lemon soap foam , which, together with water and in some cases a laundry brush or clothes brush, can tackle most things.
We have divided typical stains into two main categories; those that are easy to remove and those that require a little more work. For old stains, see the latter.
Lighter stains
Examples are fresh stains from: ash, feces, baby food, gasoline, ink, soda, berries, eggs, fat, fish, fish meal, greens, honey, ice cream, juice, coffee, spices, vinegar, glue, paint, milk, oil, vomit, rust, syrup, chocolate, shellfish, ski wax, makeup, snuff, sunscreen, soot, mud, tea, tomato, cod liver oil, urine, wine, beer.
Procedure
Machine washable fabrics:
- Place the garment in lukewarm or hot water, depending on what it can withstand (check the care label!). If it is a small stain, it may be enough to soak only the area where the stain is.
- Rub the stain with lemon soap, by hand or with a laundry brush. How much you can rub depends on what the garment can withstand (do not rub too hard on wool, for example).
- Rinse to see if the stain is gone. If not, add more lemon soap and leave the garment for a couple of hours or overnight if it can handle it (wool should not be left in water for long). Change the water if it changes color.
- Rinse well. It is important that no soap remains in the garment, as this will wear down the fibers. If necessary, machine wash without soap for extra rinsing.
- If the stain is still slightly visible: machine wash the garment according to instructions, without rinsing off the soap.
Textiles that cannot be machine washed:
- Use lemon soap foam , which comes in foam form, and spray it on the stain. You don't need much.
- Rub into the stain.
- Wipe with a wet cloth immediately, or rinse if possible. Remove all soap residue.
- Repeat if the stain is not gone.
Stiff, dry patches
Stubborn stains, such as dried food, can often be brushed away with a clothes brush , without the need for washing!
More demanding stains
Old stains in general, or yellow stains from deodorant and sweat
Machine washable fabrics:
- Place the garment in lukewarm or hot water, depending on what it can withstand (check the care label!). If it is a small stain, it may be enough to soak only the area where the stain is.
- Rub the stain with lemon soap, by hand or with a laundry brush. How much you can rub depends on what the garment can withstand (do not rub too hard on wool, for example).
- Leave the garment for a couple of hours or overnight if it can handle it (wool should not be left in water for long). Change the water if it gets colored and rub the stain a little as you go.
- Rinse to see if the stain is gone and repeat if necessary, until it is gone.
- Rinse well at the end. It is important that no soap remains in the garment, as this will wear down the fibers. If necessary, machine wash without soap for extra rinsing.
Textiles that cannot be machine washed:
- Use lemon soap foam , which comes in foam form, and spray it on the stain. You don't need much.
- Rub into the stain.
- Wipe with a wet cloth immediately, or rinse if possible. Remove all soap residue.
- Repeat if the stain is not gone.
Candle wax
Place paper towels on the stain and iron until the wax has absorbed into the paper. Treat the remaining grease stain as described above, using lemon soap or lemon soap foam.
Mold
Mold on textiles must be treated as soon as possible to achieve a good result. If it has been allowed to develop over time, it may be difficult to remove everything, but proper treatment will still reduce both odor and visibility.
Treat as described above, with lemon soap or lemon soap foam.
Always store clothes and textiles in rooms with good ventilation, well protected from moisture to avoid mold and mildew.
Impossible stains
Some stains are actually impossible to remove (without ruining the garment). But that's no reason to give up! Cover the stain with a duplicate stitches, decorative embroidery, an iron-on patch or a brooch? Continue the "drawing" with fabric paint or felt-tip pen? Or let the garment move down a category, from favorite office garment to favorite home garment ☺️
Clothing care products
Clothes we give extra care to, we become extra happy with!
