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The School of Fibre Science & Technology

STAIN REMOVAL

Introduction

Never use very hot water for washing stained garments as this often sets the stains and makes them very difficult or impossible to remove.
Some stains are more easily removed by washing if they are soaked first in cold water, e.g. mud and blood stains, and the brown stain from shoe inner soles.
The use of chemicals is required for removing certain stains. Carry out this treatment before washing. Remove all traces of the chemical.
To apply a stain removing agent to fabric, place a fold of clean rag underneath the stain so that any surplus moisture is absorbed.
To prevent a ring forming around the stain, work from the outside of the stain, in an uneven circular shape, towards the centre, dabbing it very lightly with a pad of clean rag which has been dipped in the removal agent.

STAIN REMOVAL CHART
BLOOD	Soak in cold salted water (1 teaspoonful to 1 pint) for at least an hour. Wash in warm soapy water.
COCOA/COFFEE/FRUIT JUICE	Sponge with a warm solution of borax and water. Rinse well and wash according to fabric.
COD-LIVER OIL	Use a grease solvent and wash in soapy water.
EGG: WHITE	Soak in cold water, then treat with lukewarm salt solution (1 teaspoon to 1 pint)
EGG: YOLK	Wash according to fabric and remove the greasy mark with a grease solvent.
GRASS	Dab with surgical methylated spirit over an absorbent pad. Wash according to fabric. TEST RAYON BEFORE TREATMENT.
GREASE	(1) Use a grease solvent, i.e. benzene or carbon tetrachloride. (2) A surface grease may be removed by putting the fabric between blotting paper and pressing with a hot iron.
INK (BALL-POINT)	Dab with methylated spirit over an absorbent pad. Wash according to fabric.
INK (WRITING)	Wash at once. On white fabric, steep in milk, on any other colour fabric cover the stain with tomato juice. Wash again.
IRON RUST	Soak stain in lemon juice. Rinse and wash.
LIPSTICK	Wash in warm soapy water. Apply grease solvent, if necessary.
MILK	Wash in warm soapy water, rinse well. Then treat with a grease solvent.
MUD	Allow to dry. Brush. Soak in cold water. Wash according to fabric.
NAIL VARNISH	Rub gently with acetone (not suitable for rayon).
PERSPIRATION	Sponge with a weak vinegar solution. Wash according to fabric.
PAINT	Rub with turpentine.
SCORCH	Slight scorch marks may be treated with a solution of borax and water. Rinse and wash according to fabric.
SHOE POLISH	Sponge with turpentine and wash according to fabric. If any colour remains sponge with methylated spirit and wash again. TEST RAYON BEFORE TREATMENT.
TAR	Scrape off as much as possible and then treat with a grease solvent. Wash according to fabric.
TEA	Rinse immediately with cold water and wash according to fabric. For dried stain, damp with cold water and sprinkle with borax. Pour hot water through the stain. Rinse well and wash according to fabric.
TRANSFER	Steep in surgical methylated spirit. Try a commerical dry-cleaning agent. Wash after treatment if possible.