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| General
Guidelines for Stain Removal |
1. Treat stains immediately.
2. If the stain is on a nonwashable fabric, take it to the dry cleaner as
soon as possible.
3. Read and follow instructions given on a garment's care label.
4. Read and follow instruction labels on stain removal products.
5. Test stain removers on a hidden area of the garment.
6. Place stained area face down on a clean white towel. Apply stain remover
to the backside of the stain. Don't rub. Blot, scrape or swipe the stain.
7. Rinse stain removers from garment and air dry before placing in the washer.
8. Wash entire garment after removing the stain.
9. Do not dry or iron the stained area until the stain is completely removed.
10. Do not mix chlorine bleach with ammonia.
11. Keep in mind, some stains cannot be removed.
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| Dry Cleaning |
Dry cleaning your garment will extend its lifetime, help keep its color,
fabric strength, shape and drape. It will help maintain that "store bought"
appearance longer, allowing your purchase to become a long-lasting investment.
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| Natural Fabrics |
| Cotton |
Washable.Creases when washed, wrinkled when worn, requires ironing. Can
be destroyed by contact with acids, even mild ones like fruit juice. You
can usually use a chlorine bleach (check the garment care label first).
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| Linen |
Washable.Ideal to Dry Clean. Does not soil quickly. Good quality linens
can be safely washed on a normal wash cycle (make sure the garment does
not contain other unwashable fibers). Some linens shrink and should be dry-cleaned.
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| Silk |
Ideal to Dry Clean. Some silk garments can be gently washed in a neutral
detergent, such as the special wool washes.
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| Wool |
Washable. Ideal to Dry Clean. Wool is damaged by alkalis, the cleaning
agents in wash powders and bar soaps. Special non-alkaline wool washing
products should be used. Wool garments are best laid flat to dry away from
direct heat.
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| Processed Natural Fibers |
| Acetate and Triacetate
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Washable. Both heat sensitive. Triacetate can withstand higher ironing
temperatures. Do not twist or wring while wet. These fabrics are damaged
by acetone - for example, nail polish remover.
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| Viscose (Rayon) |
Washable. Handle gently. Becomes weak when wet. Use a gentle wash cycle.
Can shrink and distort. Do not hang dry. Iron while damp.
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| Synthetic Fabrics |
| Acrylic |
Washable. Must wash below 50°C. Wash gently by hand or gentle machine
cycle. Do not tumble dry. Do not steam iron. Dry clean tough stains.
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| Nylon |
Washable. Has a tendency to absorb colour and dirt from other items during
washing. Wash separately if possible. Rinse thoroughly. Do not use chlorine
bleach. Dry clean tough stains.
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| Polyester |
Washable. Can be washed warm (make sure the garment does not contain other
fibers that cannot be washed warm). Dry clean tough stains.
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| Spandex/Elastane (Trade Name
Lycra) |
Washable. Wash in low/warm temperatures. Do not tumble dry. Dry clean
tough stains.
Note: All synthetic fabrics are sensitive to heat and will get a glazed
surface and shrink if heated too much during ironing.
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| Stain Removal Guide |
| Alcohol & Wine |
Remove new stains by sponging several times with warm water. Launder with
detergent in hottest water safe for the fabric. If there is any mark left,
pour glycerin on the dampened stain, rub lightly and leave for 30 minutes.
Rinse in warm water.
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| Blood |
Rinse cold water through the stain. Sponge with cool salted water and
rinse with clear water. If stain persists, soak for 15 minutes in lukewarm
water, liquid hand dishwashing detergent and 1 tablespoon ammonia. If stain
still persists, repeat and soak for several hours.
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| Candle Wax |
Harden wax by rubbing with ice or placing in freezer. Remove surface wax
by carefully scraping with the dull edge of a butter knife. Place the stain
between two white blotting cloths and press with a warm iron, changing the
blotting cloths as they become soiled. Then sponge with dry cleaning fluid
or a laundry pre-soak (spot stain remover).
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| Chewing Gum |
Harden gum by rubbing with ice or placing in freezer. Remove surface wax
by carefully scraping with the dull edge of a butter knife. If washable,
soak in kerosene and wash in hot soapy water. If unwashable, use dry cleaning
fluid on stain.
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| Coffee & Tea |
Pre-treat stain with a stain remover and rinse in warm water. Rub the
stain with a liquid detergent and launder in the hottest water safe for
the fabric.
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| Deodorants
& Antiperspirants |
Sponge dry fabric stain thoroughly with a laundry pre-soak (spot stain
remover) and warm water. Rinse.
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| Fruit Juices & Berries
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Sponge with cool water or soak in cool water with bleach that is safe
for the fabric. Rinse. Use hot water for cottons and linens.
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| Ink (Ballpoint Pen) |
Sponge the area with alcohol. Place the stain face down on clean white
paper towels. Apply alcohol to the back of the stain. Repeat until the stain
is removed. Rinse thoroughly. Rub with liquid detergent and launder in the
hottest water safe for the fabric.
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| Lipstick & Other Cosmetics |
Pre-treat the dry fabric stain with a laundry pre-soak (spot stain remover).
Dampen the stain with warm water and rub in the laundry pre-soak (spot stain
remover) until stain is gone. Launder in hottest water safest for the fabric.
On unwashable fabric, try dry cleaning fluid.
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| Nail Polish |
Apply acetone or polish remover to the back of stain. Rinse. Launder as
usual. Never use nail polish remover on synthetic materials like acetate,
triacetate or modacrylic, they will dissolve. Take these fabrics to the
dry cleaner.
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| Perspiration Stains
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New perspiration stains may be removed by regular laundering. Heavy stains
may be pre-treated with a laundry pre-soak (spot stain remover) for 10 minutes.
Older perspiration stains may be removed by sponging with white vinegar
and water.
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| Unknown |
If a stain cannot be identified, treat with cool water, then sponge with
liquid laundry detergent or laundry pre-soak (spot stain remover).
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| Water Spots |
Hold the water spot above steam from a boiling kettle (far away enough
that there is no moisture drops on the fabric). Allow the fabric to become
damp, but not wet. Shake and press while still \ damp, rubbing, if possible,
with a piece of the same or a similar material.
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