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Spot removal - dry clean only suit

Hi, have got an unidentifiable whitish mark to remove from a navy suit, dry clean only. It's only tiny, but it's on the lapel, so hard to ignore. Other than that the suit is spotless, so don't really want to splash out on the drycleaners. It looks quite a harmless mark (not oily), but sponging with water hasn't helped.

Have looked on google, but everything seems to be carpet related.

So of course I thought of the Old Stylers. Can anyone help? I have the white vinegar on standby, but not sure how whether to dilute....

Comments

  • moggins
    moggins Posts: 5,190 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Wilkinsons sell a dry cleaning stick for just this purpose. I think it's called Dabitoff? Other than that you could cover it with a funky brooch?
    Organised people are just too lazy to look for things

    F U Fund currently at £250
  • squeaky
    squeaky Posts: 14,129 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    It's really difficult to suggest what to use when you can't identify what the problem substance is. That leaves you with, as moggins says, a dry cleaning stick, or fluid, or spray.

    Take care to test the dry cleaning agent somewhere where it can't be seen first to avoid problems with colour change or staining.
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  • flea72
    flea72 Posts: 5,392 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    it would really help if you knew what caused the stain, then we could give suggestions on how to treat it - a rough guess on what you were doing when you got the stain, ie. if at work, could be tippex, or outdoors bird poop, etc.

    really, if its not shifting with just water, then it prob is grease based

    you can buy home dry cleaning kits for a couple of quid, that you put in the tumble dryer, but they are more for refreshing fabrics, rather than actual cleaning

    depending on how old the suit is, and how much wear it has had, i would risk washing it myself at home, on a cool wash, light tumble, and then a good steam iron

    ive yet to ruin any dry clean only clothing, by doing the above - i just think with alot of clothing they do it to cover themselves, as sometimes with suits the lining and outer fabric have different contents, and can shrink at different rates, so sometimes the lining ends up a bit puckered, but a good iron usually sorts that

    or try a stain remover like Vanish bar, dirt devils or shout
  • purplepatch
    purplepatch Posts: 2,534 Forumite
    moggins wrote:
    Wilkinsons sell a dry cleaning stick for just this purpose. I think it's called Dabitoff? Other than that you could cover it with a funky brooch?

    LOL, not sure how my hubby would feel about wearing a brooch, no matter how funky!!

    The suit's an ebay purchase, so haven't even an inkling I'm afraid. It has only been worn once to a wedding and apart from this is in A1 nick so the washing option is out. No doubt it is food or drink related.

    I have some Shout in the cupboard, will test it on the inside somewhere. Don't have any of the other suggestions to hand right now.

    Thanks.
  • MrsMW
    MrsMW Posts: 590 Forumite
    Try dabbing it with a baby or face wipe. I removed tomato sauce from a white top with a face wipe.
  • moggins
    moggins Posts: 5,190 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    You didn't say it was a man's suit:rolleyes: :doh:
    Organised people are just too lazy to look for things

    F U Fund currently at £250
  • purplepatch
    purplepatch Posts: 2,534 Forumite
    moggins wrote:
    You didn't say it was a man's suit:rolleyes: :doh:

    I know - sorry, it just tickled me, the picture in my head of Mr Purplepatch sporting a brooch. He's a beefy 6 footer with a no 1 crop!
    :rotfl:
    I have been dabbing intermittently with handhot water. Whilst I can still just about make it out, I'll hazard a guess that hubby won't notice it. And what he doesn't know...
  • moggins
    moggins Posts: 5,190 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Whatever you can't get out, cover with a dab of dark blue felt tip pen :D
    Organised people are just too lazy to look for things

    F U Fund currently at £250
  • Austin_Allegro
    Austin_Allegro Posts: 1,462 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    I was going to suggest the felt tip trick as well, but you need to be careful. Ink has a funny habit of sticking fast to fabrics you dont' want it on, but shifting miraculously from fabrics you DO want it on. If you do use the ink method, do it VERY gently with a cotton wool bud and spot test first to make sure you get a good match.
    'Never keep up with Joneses. Drag them down to your level. It's cheaper.' Quentin Crisp
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