Stain on clothes, how do you treat it?

[PierreBear]

Hey PSer Friends,

Last week some food splattered onto my light gray pants. Usually I would grab my tide pen but it ran out so I used a wet towel with a dab bit of soap. I can still see some markings of the food but actually what bugs me more now is that I can see the area where the wet/soapy part has left a rimmed circle on my pants. I suppose I shouldn't have used soap and maybe a component of it bleached the color? What do ya'll do when you catch a stain right away? Would love to hear some tips!

Thanks in advance!

 

[PintoBean]

I actually don't own any stain removers, so I wash cold and air dry just in case the washing machine did not get the stain out 100% because the dryer heat can set the stain in.

 

[missy]

For stubborn stains that cold water and soap wont get out generally Resolve does the trick. We have also used Oxiclean powder with good results. Rub in and soak and then put in the wash. Good luck!

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2011/08/it-takes-real-resolve-to-remove-these-tough-stains/index.htm

 

[the_mother_thing]

PierreBear: I've never tried it myself, but I've always heard that seltzer water/club soda is a good immediate option for treating stains if you're out at a restaurant or something ... at least until you can get home to try Missy's & Pinto's suggestions.

... I wash cold and air dry just in case the washing machine did not get the stain out 100% because the dryer heat can set the stain in.

SO TRUE! I had a great top I only wore one time out to dinner, and had a small splatter of olive oil land right in the middle-bust. I came home, immediately treated it with Shout, washed it, tossed it in the dryer, and it was still there. I repeated that process a couple times, even going so far as to try Dawn dish soap on it, and finally just tossed the top because it wouldn't come out. I wish I had known (then) about the dryer setting stains.

 

[missy]

Good point regarding heat. It can set stains but you can get it out even after you "set" it if you accidentally put it in the dryer. It just is more challenging but can be done. Rub the Resolve or Oxiclean in and soak for overnight and then wash.

Or my dh just suggested mineral spirits or a dry cleaning fluid and blot the stain till it softens. Good for grease. But it depends on the base of the stain. For example, if the stain is ink, (i.e. a permanent ink marker) that is alcohol based and you have to use the same base (i.e. alcohol) to get it out....He is running out the door now so that's all I got. Darn just as he was getting into the explanation. I will ask him for more info when he has time if you'd like. He knows much more about this stuff than I do.

 

[Calliecake]

I've always taken stains like this to the dry cleaner and they have always been able to remove them. They have instructed to do nothing to the stain and bring the item of clothing to them.