Steps in Removing Stains on Fabric

On Fabric, the best time to remove a stain is immediately after it has been made. This is due to the inherent ability of natural fibers used in making fabric such as cotton and wool to absorb liquids locking them in the cloth fibers themselves making removal almost next to impossible. But be sure to read the instructions of chemical agents for they may be good for one type of fabric but not for another. If unsure and usually with colored clothes, test in an unseen area like the underside of the collar or any other inconspicuous area to see if it doesn’t cause any bleeding of the fabric color itself(you might end up with a bigger stain than you started with ruining whatever you are working on).

Clothes using common household items:

Step 1 – Immediately soak up any spilt staining liquid with a sponge or paper towel to prevent it from spreading.

Step 2 – Mix equal parts water and powdered detergent and apply onto the affected area as a paste, working the mixture into the fabric using a stiff brush. Do be careful on sensitive fabric for you might get a bit too eager in your brushing that could ruin it.

Step 3 – Rise away the paste and check if the stain has been removed, if not place a few drops of lime juice on the area of the stain and gently spread it around with your fingers(lime works best on biological stains such as that which can be caused by spilt food). Soak for few minutes and rinse.

Clothes using chemical agents:

Step 1 – Similar to above process.

Step 2 – Apply the stain removing agent which could be in paste, liquid or powder form according to the manufacturers instructions.

Step 3 – Soak for a few minutes according to the instructions and rinse.

Carpets are quite difficult to clean especially the ones with deep piles. Many products are available commercially to remove and prevent stains from seeping into carpets that are applied as a protective cover onto the material as a spray.

Step 1 – Carefully remove any solids or excess liquids with paper towels and a sponge to prevent it from spreading.

Step 2 – Get your vacuum cleaner and work it over the area to remove further any liquid that has seeped deeper into the fabric.

Step 3 – Use the specified cleaner or agent and soak for a few minutes according to the instructions with the products you are using. With pet stains and odors, after cleaning and removing the stain apply some cornstarch into the fiber and work it into the fibers that will allow it to absorb the liquid and odor at the same time. Some chemical cleaners will react with say animal pee and produce further stains as the product dries. Vacuum the area and let dry.

Step 4 – To prevent further problems with carpets, one could purchase products that can clean and protect the carpet by leaving an invisible chemical barrier that prevents stains from soaking into the materials the carpet is made of.

Chinaware

It is not uncommon to find unattractive water spots on your favorite teacup or coffee cup so cleaning it regularly will help maintain its quality and appearance.

With stained teacups and other such items, make a paste of water and common rock salt. Using a soft cloth, rub the stain away with the paste, repeating as necessary. Rinse and see them stain free, so repeat once in a while to avoid these stains from building up.

On hairline cracks with old china ware that are white, soaking them in sour milk (yes sour milk) will help cover up those unsightly cracks. Wash and rinse after a few minutes.