Cleaning up stains
@GardenGerty (160708)
United States
March 5, 2007 10:59pm CST
I learned a long time ago about a few stain busters. I would invite my friends to post their favorite remedies as well, cause I am sure you have some.
For a laundry pretreater mix one part ammonia, one part Dawn dish detergent (no substitutes) and one part water. Use as you would Shout or other pretreater.
Oily stains from body oils, like ring around the collar come out best with cheap shampoo. At 88 cents for a bottle this is really economical.
Stains from blood, or fruit juice can be lifted out of fabric, or wood, or other porous materials by pouring on hydrogen peroxide. The last I checked it was less than a dollar for a quart. Rinse with cold water, and repeat as long as stain exhibits foaming action.
A great soak for whites, especially baby clothes. In a bucket of the hottest water you can get, mix one cup automatic dishwasher powder, and one quarter cup laundry bleach. Soak color safe stained garments in this solution until stains disappear. I used this a lot on bibs and diapers.
Just one more. Take soiled, stained item and stretch it tightly over a colander. Heat kettle to boiling. Pour boiling water through the stain.
I look forward to your contributions.
6 people like this
14 responses
@nobodyspecial (1011)
• United States
6 Mar 07
I'd like to introduce a wonder liquid that just about everyone has in their kitchen!
VINEGAR!
Yep, good old vinegar works wonders when all else fails.
Blood, vinegar breaks down the proteins which are what cause the stain to 'set'.
Vinegar has many uses beyond getting rid of stains.
It's good for insect bites, sunburn, hair rinse, and that's just the outside!
Vinegar can be mixed with water and honey to make a healthful drink (cider vinegar works best for this).
And of course it goes good on salads! LOL!
4 people like this
@tammyr (5946)
• Etowah, Tennessee
6 Mar 07
Okay, First thanks for the tips I love them and ssave them all, so thank to ALL who put more!
1-Stains from blood can be removed by spitting on it! Thats right, spit.The enzymes in your spit will break down the blood and help remove it. I know this works.
2-Be careful with peroxide, it can bleach the item, test first( I did not know you could use it on wood!)Ladies, I use this on my mattress! ;)
3-Use dishwasher powder to soak stubborn pans, and anything else that won't come clean, try the dishwasher soap!
4- We all know rust is hard to remove! If you have a rust stain try lemon juice and cream of tarter, It may work on some.
5- You can use the Dawn & ammonia to clean tennis shoes, be sure to test fabric first.
Good luck with all your stains!
4 people like this
@crazynurse (7482)
• United States
6 Mar 07
Gerty, you listed my two favorites..thereby leaving me nothing to add! My two favorites are the hydrogen peroxide for blood stains and shampoo for oily body stains. I use both of these regularly and can profess to their effectiveness! Now, the reason I replied despite having nothing new to add was to thank you for such a great post! I did learn a lot...I didn't know about the laudry pretreater and I am on my way to mix some!!! (got to go to the store anyway for a few items so I will pick up some Dawn). I also didn't konw about the coke idea that another posted in the thread! So again, thanks for a great post!
4 people like this
@applsofgld (2506)
• United States
7 Mar 07
What I always use for a tough stain, provided it is on a white or light colored item. Make a paste with baking soda & bleach, apply with an old toothbrush and wash immediately. I also was told by my son's allergist that a good fabric softener is vinegar, just plain old white vinegar, good for creme rinse in the hair too. Doesn't smell as nice though. You've listed some great stain buster's here, thanks. Great post.
3 people like this
@Anniedup (3651)
• Richards Bay, South Africa
6 Mar 07
Ok here is my 2c worth.
Blood stains:
Put a paste of water and cornflower or talcum powder on fresh spots; let dry and brush off
Fresh blood on leather dab on a little peroxide, after it bubbles wipe it off
Coffee on fabric or rug
Dip a white cloth into a beaten egg yolk and rub the yolk into the stain, rinse off with clean water
@GardenGerty (160708)
• United States
7 Mar 07
the coffee one is brand new to me. I love coffee, and have lots of stains to prove it. Thanks a bunch.
2 people like this
@meljessxena (2315)
• Australia
7 Mar 07
well my bf is a farmer so he always comes home greasy, dirty or wet or something usually like that, and i use truck wash or car wash on the greasy stains, its a bit bottle usually cost me from (car wash) $5- $7 and i dialute it in just a 700 ml bottle (like u do with cordial) and then pour it on and rub then just chuck straight into the wash.
i ran out of the car wash the other day and i used bathroom spray it got most of the grease off. but you go through the bottle much quicker.
2 people like this
@finlander60 (1804)
• United States
6 Mar 07
If you want to get greasy clothes clean rub vegetable shortening into the stain, and wash as usual. Another way to get greasy clothes clean is to pour a 12 ounce can of Coca-Cola into the washer and launder as usual. The Coca-Cola trick works REAL GOOD on your greasy shop towels, too.
2 people like this
@kathy77 (7486)
• Australia
6 Mar 07
Cleaning up stains, well as everyone should know but just incase they don't always use cold water when trying to remove a blood stain out of anything and soak it at least for half an hour in bleach if the item is coloured or think that it can run it is always best to use coloured bleach, I found that it really does work and have done it on main items.
3 people like this
@cjsmom (1423)
• United States
6 Mar 07
I'm sorry, Gerty...I don't have any contributions concerning this as of yet but I just wanted to let you know that you have given me a great deal of ideas on the discussions you've started; I've even created a 'notepad' page, specifically for your ideas...Thanks
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (160708)
• United States
7 Mar 07
How flattering. I like to help. I like this site as well, because it lets me learn new things.
2 people like this
@yanjiaren (9031)
•
6 Mar 07
Oh wow thanks for this info as i am not very good with the stain removing stuff. I will definately keep a note of this post and download it lol into my mailbox and make a folder for it!! I think i will name it useful cleaning tips. You have inspired me lol. You know you wanted to start a blog? This is a brilliant subject to get writing on!!!
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (160708)
• United States
12 Mar 07
Thanks for the response, I am guessing you are new, welcome to myLot.
@hopejordan (3561)
• Australia
17 Nov 07
hi there GardenGerty
yes stains are hard to get out i dont have carpet i do have floor boards and they are good floor boards because when you spill something then you can mop it out i know one time i took all the carpets out and i feel much better now that i dont have carpet because its easy to get satins thanks for this discussion
@trixiedomino (1)
•
2 Apr 08
Fabric softener (liquid) stains? Any suggestions for removing those stains when the fabric softener doesn't disperse as it should? :-(
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160708)
• United States
6 Apr 08
I would buy original Dawn dish detergent, mix equal parts of that with ammonia and water, and treat the stain. I have not used liquid softener in ages, and I did not know that formula when I did. The liquid softener did tend to leave oily dark stains on my pastels. I just joined Shaklee, and I would also use the Basic H2 in that case. For over a year now I have been putting white vinegar in my Downy fabric softener ball. It is not quite as soft, smells like vinegar until rinsed, but it keeps down stains and softens well enough for me.
