Removing clothes stains recommendations

Giraffe76

Hi all,

I find it difficult to remove stains from clothes especially white clothes so wanted recommendations on how best to do this please

Kind regards mark

Woodstok2000

What kind of stains? Generic stain removers (i.e. Vanish) are generally ok, but for specific stains there are often specific approaches that work better….

elsien

Starting point is to use biological laundry products. They have a reputation for being less good for sensitive skin but for most people it doesn’t make any difference

As above, it depends on the type of stain. If Sweat stains then change more frequently or use a different deodorant; if it’s food stains then maybe put something else on when you eat. Prevention being better than cure, and all that. And speaking as a messy beggar who is always dropping everything everywhere.

caronc

I swear by Napisan. For very tough stains presoak the item in some overnight then add more to the wash.

Brookside88

Key is to lift the stain as much as possible before washing, once you've washed a stain in it's much harder to remove.

The best stain remover i've found is the pink stuff oxi spray, which I spray directly onto the stain and then work with a toothbrush until the stain is mostly lifted, might then soak in vanish to get the rest out but i would NEVER rely on a washing machine and in wash stain remover alone to get a stain out, I always aim to lift the stain manually before washing

Cold water for blood

white vinegar for oils

washing up liquid for berries

Hairspray for ink (but blot onto something else it'll transfer to the back of the item too)

Finally, one of the best stain removers is sunlight, tomato stains particularly will lift from white clothes if left in direct sunlight for a few hours

Good luck!

dollypeeps

as above it depends on the stain, lift the stain and/or soak before washing.

I use Ace Bleach (blue/green bottle). It removed a 2 day old coke stain from a heavy white cotton shirt. Removed tar from denim shorts and blackberry stains from white denim.

I also use a nail brush or toothbrush, blotting and working from the edges.

Fairy liquid I find is a good stain remover as well.

Glycerin will work on tomato based stains.

Agree with sunlight and white vinegar….also soda crystals and bicarb…. All good options to soak.

Is there a specific stain that you need to treat?

Cisco001

I currently use lidl bio laundry liquid.

If the stain is visible, I usually rub a bit of laundry detergent on it and wait 5 - 10mins before turn on the machine. (assume your clothes are not delicate fabric) Measure the overall dosage, do not overdose. Use 40 degree cotton programme.

gwynlas

If using spray on cleaners read instructions carefully.

i left pink stuff on longer than recomended and it made problem worse.

Soaking in vanish is good for food stains

Brie

white wine to take out red wine stains.

but as already said prevention is best. it's one of the reasons I took to wearing scarves as it meant that my lunch at work dripped on to the scarf rather than my shirt. easy to do a quick tidy on a scarf or retie it to hide the problem rather than deal with a mucky shirt. And when eating out I always go for extra napkins and tuck one in my collar to make a bib. OH is much the same but always has a large cleaned and pressed hankie for his bib.

rceebear

I work in a laundry and it really does depend on the stain. Ace for colours is good on whites and colours. Also second Napisan.

otb666

I find I can live with stain and eventually disappears after several wears and washes anyway. I dont sweat anymore anyway I am a bit like Prince Andrew in that respect only.