~Eco-Friendly Living~

~Stains~

   

   

  

The key is quick action and identification.

  • Ballpoint pen:  As soon as this happens, sponge with methylated spirits, then flush repeatedly in cold water.

  • Blood:  Soak in cold, salted water for 10 minutes and then wash with soap.  For really stubborn stains, apply a mixture of cornflour, talcum powder or cornmeal (polenta) mixed with water.  Allow to dry; brush off.

  • Cosmetics:  Rib with glycerine and wash with warm water and washing soda.

  • Coffee:  Wash out with cool water and then vinegar and rinse.  Or mix egg yolk with lukewarm water and rub on stain.

  • Chewing gum:  Put item in freezer until gum freezes and is easily loosened.

  • Crayon on wallpaper:  Press a piece of white bread into the stain to absorb the grease and colour.  White toothpaste will also remove crayon from washable wallpaper.

  • Fruit:  Cover stain immediately with salt and soak in milk before washing.

  • Glue:  Many glue stains can be removed by dabbing with eucalyptus oil (keep away from children *toxic if swallowed*)

  • Grass:  Soak with methylated spirits, allow to dry, then wash.

  • Grease spots:  If the spot is fresh, sprinkle with bicarbonate of soda, leave for a few minutes then brush off.  If grease spot has dried, wet the fabric and rub bicarbonate of soda into the spot.  If it is a stubborn stain, repeat and leave for a few hours, then wash.  Alternatively, if the fabric can take a hot iron, place brown paper over the stain and press for a few minutes with a hot iron.  The paper will absorb the grease.  Wash garment in warm soapy water.

  • Ink:  Soak in milk.

  • Linen spots:  Rub spots with bicarbonate of soda and lemon juice before washing.

  • Lipstick:  Rub with cold cream or shortening and wash with washing soda.  Or soak stain in milk for 30 minutes and then wash in warm, soapy water.

  • Mildew:  Pour strong soap and salt on the spots and place in sunlight.  Keep the spots moist and repeat as often as necessary.  Another method is to hang the article outside in direct sunlight - this will help kill the fungus.

  • Mustard:  Rub with glycerine, leave for 3-4 hours, and then wash with soap and cold water. 

  • Nappies:  After scraping off the excess, soak soiled nappies in a strong solution of bicarbonate of soda dissolved in warm water.  For stubborn stains, repeat several times.  Wash in warm, soapy water, rinse well and dry in the sun.

  • Perfume:  Rub with glycerine, leave for 3-4 hours, and then wash with soap and cold water.

  • Perspiration odours:  Dissolve 2 heaped tablespoons of bicarbonate of soda in 6 litres of lukewarm water.  Soak garment for an hour, then wash as usual.

  • Perspiration:  Soak in water with a good dollop of white wine vinegar or a handful of bicarbonate of soda.  Try both and see which one works for you (this depends on the body chemistry).

  • Raspberry (berry fruit):  Wash with soapy water and then rub lemon juice over the stain.  Leave for an hour before rinsing.

  • Rust:  Saturate with lemon juice or sour milk and cover with salt or bicarbonate of soda.  Allow to dry then wash in warm, soapy water.

  • Scorch:  Rub well with white wine vinegar and rinse with cold water.

  • Tea and coffee:  Rub with glycerine, leave for 3-4 hours and then wash with soap and cold water.

  • Wax:  To remove wax from fabric, place a block of ice onto wax, or place in freezer.  Scrape off after 2 hours.

  • Wine:  Soda water is excellent for removing white wine stains.  Pour the soda water through the stain, then wash.  For old stains, leave glycerine on for 20 minutes before washing.  For red wine, pour salt on immediately, let it stand for a while, then soak in cold water and rub out.