Eco-Friendly

Once my kids were grown I thought my days of removing stains from clothing would be limited to just the Hubster and myself. How mistaken I am.

Not only do I find myself laundering the grand-kids clothes when they make a mess of themselves over here, but my oldest daughter drops off charming-son-in-law’s soiled duds if she’s unsuccessful at getting any stains out.

Some people are just domestically challenged. I still think that schools ought to go back to having Home-Economics classes like they did when I was in middle school (and had to walk 6-miles in snow up to my waist to get there …)

Stains might be successfully removed if treated immediately. What happens if you can’t get to the stain right away? Are there natural ways to remove stains once they’ve begun to set in?

My house used to be fur-free for awhile, but now I have The Cat who’s going on 12. And of course, there’s the Black Lab Granddog who visits on occasion. Will the same tricks work to remove the stain from the carpet, as well?

Patience is key in giving the product you use a chance to work. You can’t expect a product, any product, to work immediately. Once you put a product on the stain you should give it at least 15 to 30 minutes to work into the stain before trying to remove it.

The first step in removing stains begins with quickly addressing the problem. Start by blotting the fabric with a damp cloth to remove as much of the spill as possible. Blotting the fabric, rather than rubbing is important in order to prevent the substance from going deep into the fabric.

Secondly, don’t use heat on a stain until you’ve removed as much as you possibly can of the stain from the fabric. Some people use a hairdryer but heat will actually set the stain, rendering it impossible to remove.

When I’m at the office and drop coffee or food down the front of what always turns out to be my latest new outfit, the best thing to do is hurry to the closest bathroom. Remember not to rub, but clean the majority of the food or beverage off, then gently dab a little bit of soap onto the spot. You might be tempted, but Don’t Rub! Let the soap settle and then wash as usual when you get home.

Here’s some cleaning tips:

For Red wine, Cherry Popsicle or other red food stains on clothing:

Immediately remove the majority of it. Don’t rub the spot. Using a clean cloth, blot cold water onto the spot as a temporary fix. Once home, use a solution of 1/2 hydrogen peroxide and 1/2 cool water. Soak it for 30 minutes. It may be necessary to repeat the treatment.

To brighten whites without using bleach:

Add 1/2 to one cup of hydrogen peroxide to your regular washer detergent prior to adding your clothes. Let washer fill and then turn it off to allow clothing to soak for 30 minutes. After clothing has soaked for 30 minutes, run your normal cycle. For extra freshness add 1/4 cup of baking soda to final rinse.

Stains happen to the best of us but try not to let it ruin your day. Remove the source of the stain as quickly as you can – blot using cool water and soap, forget about it and have a good time. You can always deal with it once you get home. And as all moms and Grandmoms know, always carry a spare change of clothing in a diaper bag or keep an extra set of clothing for the grand-kids at home!

Related Posts:

Double Double Toil and Trouble: DIY Eco-Friendly Household Cleaners

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