As of: February 16, 2024 5:46 p.m
Stains from pens, chewing gum, blood or red wine are annoying. But with the right home remedies, even stubborn dirt can be removed. Tips and tricks for clean clothes.
The most important basic rule: Whatever type of stain it is, the faster it is removed, the greater the chances of getting rid of it again. Since stains dry and really bond to the fabric, blotting them quickly helps. Do not rub or rub under any circumstances, otherwise the fibers will be roughened. This means that the stain penetrates even deeper into the tissue. Depending on the material, color can also be removed and pilling can occur.
Washable fabrics are best treated with lukewarm water straight away – except for dirt that contains protein such as blood. Be sure to use cold water for this, otherwise the protein will coagulate and bind even more strongly to the carrier material.
This is how special stains can be removed
Some stains are particularly stubborn. With a few tricks you can remove the dirt.
chewing gum: Once chewing gum ends up in the laundry, it becomes soft and penetrates deeper into the fabric. It is best to cool it in the freezer, with a cold pack or icing spray. Then carefully remove with a knife or spatula. If necessary, use nail polish remover to remove any residue. Be sure to try it out in an invisible place first.lipstick: Lipstick leaves unpleasant stains on fabric. First you should try gall soap. To do this, alternately apply solid and liquid bile soap with a toothbrush, leave it on for an hour and then wash. If that doesn’t help, there is a special stain remover available that is also suitable for grass, make-up and soil.red wine: First treat the stain with water, then sprinkle it with plenty of salt and leave it to act for several minutes. If you add lemon juice to it beforehand, the salt will bleach even more effectively. Then wash.printer ink: For printer ink: soak in warm water with a little detergent and vinegar. Or rub with a paste made from baking soda, lemon juice and water and leave to work. Then rinse.Ballpoint pen: Ballpoint pen marks can be easily removed with the help of rubbing alcohol and a cotton swab. Hairspray also removes the stains: simply spray it onto the fabric and wipe or brush vigorously. felt-tip pen: First try with spirit, then with gall soap. If stains are still visible after washing, you can use a light bleach. The last resort is sometimes a call to the manufacturer – they often have the best tips.
Remove stains from fruit and vegetables, coffee, tea or cosmetics
The following applies here: Soak laundry before washing, treat color-intensive fabrics with gall soap and leave to work for one to two hours. Wash white and light-colored laundry at at least 40 degrees with a universal detergent that contains bleach. If possible, pre-treat more sensitive pieces that can only withstand temperatures up to 30 degrees with a bleaching agent such as citric acid, vinegar, baking powder or baking soda. For delicates, washable silk and wool, use mild detergent and a liquid bleach suitable for wool and silk.
Treat deodorant stains with citric acid solution
Unfortunately, deodorant stains are very stubborn. Soak dirty areas in a three percent citric acid solution (dissolve about 30 grams of citric acid in one liter of distilled water) for up to twelve hours and rub repeatedly, making sure to wear gloves. The unsightly stains can also be treated with home remedies such as gall soap, washing soda, baking powder, baking soda, lemon juice and vinegar, and then washed.
Glue stains: Remove differently depending on the type
Dispersionskleber such as glue and paste can be easily dissolved with water when fresh. If they have already dried out, soak them with gall soap and rub them several times. All Purpose Adhesive Soften with benzine, spirit or nail polish remover and then remove with a cloth. hot glue Allow to harden on clothing in the freezer, then peel or rub off. Alternatively, place a freezer bag filled with ice on the spot.Superglue is the most difficult to remove. If the stain is still fresh, acetone will help. Attention: It is not suitable for all materials, so you should first make a sample in an inconspicuous area. If the stains have already dried, soak them in hot water (more than 70 degrees) and scrape them off with a knife.
Manufacturers often provide tips for removing stains on the packaging.
Treat blood stains with cold water
The easiest way to treat fresh blood is with cold water immediately. Once the areas have dried, a two percent saline solution (dissolve about 20 grams of salt in a liter of cold water) helps. The table salt dissolves the protein, making it easier to rinse. Textiles with larger blood stains should first be soaked in the washing machine for 30 minutes, then washed with a standard color or heavy-duty detergent (contains bleach and optical brighteners) and at a higher temperature.
Remove grease stains with color or heavy-duty detergent
If the textiles are washable, simply wash them at 40 degrees using a color or heavy-duty detergent. Pre-treat larger stains with dishwashing liquid and rub in. If the items cannot be washed, fine starch flour can help: sprinkle it directly onto the stain, rub it in carefully and let it take effect for a few minutes, then brush or vacuum. Repeat the process if necessary. If the stains are older, they can be treated carefully with benzine or spirit. Make a test first in an inconspicuous place. Silk is a case for cleaning.
Do not use water with pollen
If it is dirty due to pollen or pollen, under no circumstances should you use water or rub it. First, knock off or vacuum as much of the tiny particles as possible, possibly using an adhesive strip. If there are any residues left in the tissue, treat with a little spirit and rinse with plenty of warm water. Tip: For bouquets with lilies, cut off the stamens as a preventive measure or fix them with hairspray.
Spirit removes resin stains
Resin stains should definitely be pretreated. Spirit is a good option because resin is alcohol-soluble. Here too, it is best to do a test beforehand in an inconspicuous place. Solid residue can also be removed with adhesive tape, and smaller stains on hands and hair can be removed with cooking oil. Treat remaining stains with dishwashing liquid or gall soap before washing.
Remove candle wax by cold
The advice that you should iron out candle wax with blotting paper is persistent. But this only applies to cotton and white candles. Otherwise you should try cold. Place the affected item of laundry briefly in the freezer, cool it with a cold pack or freezer bag with ice, then rub off the hard wax residue. Then pour hot water over the dirty area in a container. After a short time the wax dissolves and floats to the top. Universal thinner can be an additional help – don’t forget to take a sample.
Quickly wash out sunscreen with liquid detergent
Sunscreen is all about speed: the more time passes, the harder it becomes to get rid of the unwanted stains. It is best to use a liquid detergent, as it contains more surfactants than powder detergent and removes dirt better. Choose a high dosage for heavily soiled laundry. For stubborn stains, take it to the cleaners.
Natural household remedies for stains
They are environmentally friendly and pose no health problems. They are also gentle on the fabric and are cheaper than special stain removers. Natural remedies have been tried and tested for a long time and are usually available in many households. They are available in the cleaning products department or on the baking shelf.
Gallseife consists of curd soap and beef bile and is particularly effective on protein, fruit and grease stains. They come in solid and liquid form. As a vegan alternative you can use pure Curd soap use.Vinegar essence is also considered a reliable means of removing stains. Drizzle the area with it, let it soak and then wash.Soda works particularly well on stubborn stains. The powder can be made into a lye with water. Because it has a bleaching effect, it is only suitable for white cotton textiles.citric acid, in liquid or powder form, is considered an all-purpose household cleaner. It is suitable as a descaler as well as a stain remover, but not for colored laundry and delicate fabrics. Backpulver not only loosens cakes, but also cleans floors and removes stains. To soak dirty textiles, make a solution of baking soda and warm water. If your laundry is yellow, add baking soda to the wash cycle. Suitable for light and colourfast textiles.Baking soda It is also used as a universal cleaner against stains. To do this, mix it with water in a ratio of 3:1 to form a paste, apply it, leave it to work and then wash it.
Further information
Environmentally friendly, inexpensive, versatile: soda removes stubborn dirt in the household and is also suitable for washing. more
Vinegar is valued as a household cleaner. But it attacks some materials. Tips for correct use. more
Problematic stain removers
In addition to natural home remedies, there are other tried and tested remedies for stains, which can, however, be harmful to health and the environment. They should only be used in moderation and in well-ventilated areas. In addition, they must not end up in the wastewater. Empty containers belong in the yellow bin or residual waste; if there are any leftovers, they must be disposed of for problematic waste.
Spirit is very suitable for cleaning windows and dissolves limescale and grease. Apply to the stain and blot with a cotton cloth.Mineral spirits is a strong solvent with high fat-dissolving power and good for ink, felt-tip pens, mold or wine. Dab or rub the stain with a rag.Universal thinner contains mineral spirits and is good for dissolving alkyd resin and nitro varnishes as well as for cleaning brushes.Acetone is a strong solvent, a component of many nail polish removers and dissolves varnish and grease particularly well. Only suitable for white textiles made of cotton and linen. Alternatively, use nail polish remover with alcohol.
Further information
Home remedies, special sprays or a steam cleaner can help with stains in the car seat. Which ones clean thoroughly and cheaply? more
How to clean carpets if they contain stubborn stains or bad smells? Care tips. more
Cheap home remedies often help against dirt better than expensive special cleaners. How do you clean tiles, ovens and windows? more
30, 60 or 90 degrees? Washing powder, liquid detergent or washing capsules? This means laundry is cleaned thoroughly and economically. more
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My afternoon | March 16, 2018 | 4:20 p.m