A-Z of stain removal: L-M
Good Housekeeping's online guide to getting rid of stains is invaluable. Check out stains beginning with 'L-M' here and scroll down for our A-Z stain removal landing page - save it to favourites and you need never be defeated by a stain again!
LIPSTICK
On carpets: scrape away any deposit, treat with a proprietary grease and oil stain remover or White Wizard, then shampoo.
On fabrics: soak in a detergent solution, then dab with all-purpose stain remover eg Stain Devils No 5. Wash off with a detergent solution, then launder. Difficult to remove from natural fabrics.
On upholstery: have professionally treated.
MANGO
On carpets: scrape off any deposit, then treat with Bissell OxyKIC.
On fabrics: treat silk with Glo Bright or White Wizard and wash as normal. Treat woollens with Stain Devils No 5, then wash using the woollens cycle.
MARMITE
On carpets: scrape off any deposit. Treat with Bissell OxyKIC.
On fabrics: wash cottons using a 40°C wash and biological powder. Pre-treat silk fabrics with Astonish or Wash-It and woollens with Dylon Stain Solve or Wash-It. Wash as normal.
MAYONNAISE
On carpets: blot up excess, then treat with White Wizard.
On fabrics: sponge with warm water - not hot water, which will set the stain. Soak and wash in a biological detergent.
On upholstery: remove excess, taking care not to spread the stain. Treat with proprietary grease and oil stain remover. Rinse and blot dry.
MILDEW
On fabrics: Normal washing should remove fresh mildew marking. Treat old stains on white fabric (except nylon) with a bleach solution - either 20-vol hydrogen peroxide (available from chemists) or household bleach (20ml/3⁄4fl oz bleach for every 5 litres/9 pints water). Treat white and colourfast fabrics, except acetates, with a stain remover such as Stain Devils No 7. Wash regularly to reduce marks.
On plastic shower curtains: sponge marks with a bleach solution, diluted as above. Rinse thoroughly, then treat the curtains with a fungicide.
On bath sealant: to remove mould, use a fungicidal spray, such as Dettox Mould and Mildew Bathroom Cleaner or HG Mould Spray, and spray regularly to prevent regrowth. Once sealant has gone black, mould is impossible to remove.
On upholstery Brush away spores and spray with a proprietary fungicide such as Mystox to kill bacteria. Dab marks with a mild disinfectant until removed, then sponge with cold water to rinse. Mattresses can also be treated with mild disinfectant - start with a dilute solution, then get more concentrated until mildew is cleared. Consult the Victoria & Albert Museum for advice on treating items of value.
On walls Strip off wallpaper (if necessary), wash down with a mild detergent solution, then wipe over with a mould killer or inhibitor such as Cuprinol.
MILK
On carpets: treat quickly. Flush area with warm water and blot to dry, then use a carpet stain remover. Neutralise lingering smells with a proprietary deodoriser such as Neutradol.
On fabrics: rinse in lukewarm water, then wash as normal. Soak dried stains first in a biological detergent solution.
On upholstery: sponge with lukewarm water and blot dry, then use a suitable stain remover.
MOULD
See Mildew; for iron mould, see Rust
MUD
On carpets: leave to dry, then brush and vacuum. Use a carpet spot cleaner or shampoo or White Wizard to remove marks.
On fabrics: soak in cold water, then machine-wash with a biological detergent. Treat silk with Dylon No 2 and wool with Fairy washing-up liquid.
On upholstery: lightly brush when mud is completely dry. Sponge remaining marks with a warm, mild detergent solution. Sponge with clear water to rinse, and blot dry.
MUSTARD
On carpets: scrape off any deposit, then treat with Bissell OxyKIC or White Wizard.
On fabrics: treat cottons with Astonish, Dylon Stain Solve , Vanish Oxiaction or Wash-It. Wash using a 40°C wash and biological detergent. Try De.Solv.It on woollens followed by washing using a wool cycle.
MYSTERY STAINS
On fabrics: Wash as normal, adding an in-wash stain remover for an extra boost. For delicates, use a little detergent dissolved in cool water and gently rub the stained section, fabric to fabric, then wash as normal. For stains on white washable fabric (except nylon), try soaking in a solution of household bleach (20ml/3⁄4fl oz bleach to 5 litres/9 pints water).
If dry-cleaning has ‘set' the stain, as a last resort, try treating stain with an in-wash stain remover, followed by machine-washing on a 40˚C wash cycle with biological detergent. Bear in mind, though, that the garment may fade and shrink if you do this.
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