Tips For Removing Set-In Stains Without Ruining Your Clothes
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Laundry definitely ranks among the more stressful parts of adulting, especially when set-in stains occur. We've all been there: You wear an important piece of clothing only to have it get stained, and it gets worse if you're not at home to treat it immediately. As if that's not bad enough, throwing it into the machine doesn't get the stain out. At this point, you're in a tricky spot. If you try to get the stain out with the wrong method, you could end up damaging the fabric and having to say goodbye to your beloved clothing.
The good news is that most set-in stains can be removed if you have the right tools for the job. However, there are some important caveats. For one, stains are picky, so removing them isn't not a one-method-fits-all task. Secondly, delicate fabrics like cashmere, silk, and wool aren't fabrics you want to DIY. It's always tempting to try to save a buck or two by dry-cleaning laundry at home, but some things are better left to the pros, so take delicate fabrics to the dry cleaners. That said, for sturdier fabrics like cotton, denim, or polyester, chances are that you already have what you need to tackle set-in stains right at home or will only need a quick trip to the store.
Dish soap and baking soda are great for set-in oil and grease stains
If you're trying to remove set-in stains without a quick run to the store or if you're just a sucker for DIYs, dish soap and baking soda are a great option. Mixing cleaners is typically frowned upon because doing so can create toxic fumes, but baking soda and dish soap are the exception. Dish soap breaks down grease, which makes it perfect for oil-based stains. Baking soda, on the other hand, is a mild alkali, which means that it breaks down fats and oils. It's also gently abrasive and absorbs grease. Combined with dish soap, it's perfect for removing oil stains. Dish soap and baking soda can remove lipstick stains from clothing, loosen foundation marks, fade mascara streaks, and tackle plenty of other makeup mistakes or greasy messes.
@house.becomes.home Mind blown & I don't know why, but get these random grease stains on my clothes all the time! I've never been able to remove them, but now I can!! It's so simple!! Who knew!! #laundrvroom #stainremoval #cleaninghacks #laundryhacks #lifehacks
To get started, you'll need a strong degreasing dish soap (Dawn Platinum is one of the best options) and some baking soda (like this $2 one from 365 Whole Foods Market). Mix equal parts until it's smooth, and apply the paste to the oil stain. You'll need a soft brush or cloth to scrub at the stain and to ensure the mix penetrates. After 15 to 30 minutes, wash it with detergent as you normally would.
Liquid enzyme detergent is best for set-in organic stains
"Organic stain" is just a fancy term for stains that are caused by natural substances, like food, plants, drinks, or bodily fluids. Because they have natural sources, liquid enzyme detergents are your best bet at getting them out. Liquid enzyme detergents contain enzymes that dissolve the organic molecules, so purchasing a good-quality brand is definitely one of the ways to skip the dry cleaner and get the same effect on your clothes at home.
@cindellkimbrough The "after" is SO white 🤯 HOLY COW #laundryscience #enzymedetergent #stinkylaundry
However, the magic isn't just in the brand but also how you use it. First, you should pre-treat your clothing by applying the detergent directly to the stain. Gently rub it in and let it sit for up to 30 minutes, depending on how tough the stain is. You don't want to let the detergent dry on the piece of cloth, so keep an eye on it, and add some more if needed. Next, throw it in a wash with more enzyme detergent. Use water that's as hot as your clothes can handle, as warm water helps loosen stubborn particles. Dry it out and check the spot. If the stain looks lighter, repeat this a few more times until it disappears completely.
Looking for product suggestions? The Dirty Labs Bio Enzyme Detergent gets the job done and is environmentally friendly. Alternatively, the Tide Ultra Stain Release Liquid Laundry Detergent is known to be tough and reliable in a pinch if you don't have a specific enzyme detergent on hand.
Oxygen bleach and stain removal sprays are designed to break down set-in stains
Oxygen bleach is one of the safest ways to lift stains without stripping your fabric's color. It doesn't release toxic fumes and doesn't usually take out the pigment on colored fabric unlike chlorine bleach. A combination of soda ash (sodium carbonate) and hydrogen peroxide are used to create oxygen bleach, and as you probably already know, hydrogen peroxide is really good at lifting stains. When oxygen bleach is mixed with warm water, it releases oxygen, which loosens stains and makes them easy to wash out. This is why it's great for getting tough stains like self-tanner out of your clothing.
@jeeves_ny One of the best ways to remove any type of stain with color remaining is with oxygen bleach. I recently tried this on sweat stains (on the white tee shirt), sunscreen stains (on the towel), and random old food stains on a few other gym shirts. To use powdered oxygen bleach, fill a sink, buck, tub or even your top loading washing machine with hot hot water (ideal temp is 140 F or 60 C) and add the recommended amount of powdered oxygen bleach. Let that soak overnight for best results (oxygen bleach loves time and heat so be patient)! Once you're done soaking, take a look and repeat it if necessary. Some steains, like mustard or tomato sauce may require multiple soaks. However if you're happy with the results give them a quick wash and you're all done. Oxygen bleach is also known as nonchlorine bleach or colorsafe bleach and is a must have product in the laundry room. It can safely be used on any color garment as long as the fabric is machine washable. I hope this helps #sweatstains #stain #laundry #laundrytip #laundryhack #removeyellowstains #yellowstains #yellowstain #howtoremovesweatstains
To get stains out with oxygen bleach, you'll need a color-safe brand like OxiClean Versatile Stain Remover Powder. However, color-safe or not, you should patch-test it. If you're using a powder form like OxiClean, you'll need to make the stain moist before applying the powder bleach. But if not, pour the liquid bleach on the stain directly. Gently massage the bleach into the wet fabric with your fingers or a soft brush, and let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes. Next, rinse the spot to be sure it didn't lift the color. If your fabric's color is fine, redo the process over the entire stain, but don't rinse it off. Instead, wash the entire cloth with regular or enzyme detergent in hot water. Check the stain after washing, and repeat the process if it isn't gone completely.
An alternative to oxygen bleach is stain removal sprays like Shout's Active Enzyme spray and OxiClean's MaxForce Laundry Stain Remover. Stain removal sprays like the latter combine both enzyme detergents and oxygen bleach in one. It's basically a gentle stain removal with two-in-one powers. If you're using a stain removal spray, be sure to follow the exact instructions on the product and patch-test it first, just to be safe.
How we chose these cleaning products for set-in stains
We selected products that contained great stain-fighting ingredients based on legitimate ways to remove set-in stains. We also pored over user ratings on Amazon and across social media to see which products with said ingredients were deemed the best based on hands-on experience. This way, you know what to look for at the store or can simply order online to begin fighting those pesky stains ASAP.