Top 10 rules for successful stain removal
good housekeeping,stain removal,rules,removing stains,household stains,stains
GHI logo
Every month the Good Housekeeping Institute helps with everyday household problems, everything from choosing appliances to finding that elusive service. Click through this gallery to find out the secrets for successful stain removal.
Act quickly
stain removal,rules,removing stains,household stains,stains
red wine spill
The faster you get to grips with an offending spill, the greater your chance of removing it. If a stain is allowed to dry you run a greater risk of it becoming permanent, and in a few cases, you may even have to accept that the item cannot be saved.
Water temperature is key
stain removal,rules,removing stains,household stains,stains
iced water
Flushing a fresh stain with hot water may seem like the obvious thing to do, but it can be disastrous. Hot water can permanently set some stains, particularly those with a protein base, such as blood. Always flush with cool water.
Don\'t use salt or soap
stain removal,rules,removing stains,household stains,stains,salt
scrubbing brush and soap
Bar soap, soapflakes and detergents containing soap can set stains, particularly those with tannin based pigments such as coffee, red wine and tea. Never put salt on a red wine stain as it will set it permanently.
Blot thoroughly
stain removal,rules,removing stains,household stains,stains
blotting stain
With a water based stain, remove as much as possible by blotting with white paper towels or a clean, white, cotton cloth. For very small stains, use cotton buds. Change the blotting material as soon as it becomes soiled. For a greasy stain, sprinkle with cornflour or talcum powder. Leave it to absorb the grease for a few minutes, then remove with a soft brush. Solid stains can be scraped off with a blunt knife before treating and powdery stains lifted using sticky tape wrapped around your fingers.
Never mix products
stain removal,rules,removing stains,household stains,stains,stain removal products
cleaning products in bucket
Unless you are a chemistry boffin, it\'s a bad idea to mix different stain removal products. Chemicals can react together with very unpleasant consequences; particularly chlorine bleach with ammonia, which when combined produces lethal chlorine gas. Light, repeated applications with stain remover work much better than flooding a stain. This is particularly important on carpets and upholstery which are awkward to get dry. Don\'t be surprised by the number of times you will need to repeat the process. Perseverance is the key.
Take care with woollies
stain removal,rules,removing stains,household stains,stains,wool
balls of wool in a basket
Don\'t use enzyme based products on silk or wool. Both are protein fibres and an enzyme based product will have the same ‘digesting\' effect on your delicate clothes as it would on a protein based stain - while this is desirable on blood or eggs, it is less welcome on your favourite cashmere sweater.
Work from the outside in
stain removal,rules,removing stains,household stains,stains
rinsing cloth under a tap
Always start at the edge of the stain and work towards the centre. That way, you will avoid spreading it and causing further damage. Treat stains from the underside where possible, pushing the stain out of the fabric. When flushing with water, run the water through from the wrong side of the stain.
Read the label
stain removal,rules,removing stains,household stains,stains
care label
When using any stain removal product, always follow the manufacturer\'s instructions. Don\'t ruin a favourite item by panicking and throwing it straight in the washing machine, only to realise later that it was dry clean only and it is the size of a postage stamp! Read the care label. Always test stain remover on an inconspicuous area first to check for colour fastness or other potential damage.
Rinse before washing
stain removal,rules,removing stains,household stains,stains
washing machine
If you have used any product to spot treat a stain, be sure to rinse it out with plenty of cold water before machine or hand washing the item. This will prevent any chemical reactions occurring between the product and the detergent.
Dry naturally
stain removal,rules,removing stains,household stains,stains
washing line with clothes hanging from it
After treating a stain, always allow the garment or fabric to dry naturally. Heat from a tumble dryer or iron can fix any remaining traces of the stain. If the stain remains after drying naturally, you may still have a second chance of removing it.
Think your way to a better life
Shopping at made.com
