This stain classification system starts with stains that require similar treatment and are easiest to remove if treated promptly and correctly. Stains that require two-step or special treatment are listed last. ALWAYS take care when using strong detergents. Preferably wear protective gloves. Test detergent on an inconspicuous area of the garment before full treatment. If unsure please call A & D on 01295 272700.
Classification of Stains
Protein Stains
Soak in cold water. Launder.
Milk
Mucous
Blood
Mud
Cream
Egg
Urine
Faeces
Vomit
Fresh protein stains can be removed by soaking and agitating in cold water before washing. These stains contain other ingredients besides protein, but it needs cold water treatment first. If hot water is used first, it cooks the protein, causing coagulation between the fibres in the yarns of the fabric, making the stains more difficult to remove. If protein stains are dried or old, scrape or brush off crusted matter (if any), then soak in cold water using a detergent or an enzyme pre-soak product.
After treating the stain, launder in warm (not hot) water, rinse, and inspect. If stain remains, soak an additional half-hour, and then rewash.
Tannin Stains
Do not use soap (bar, flake). Use detergents.
Alcoholic beverages
Beer
Berries (cranberries, raspberries, strawberries)
Coffee
Cologne
Felt-tip water colour pen or washable ink
Fruit juice (apple, grape, orange)
Soft drinks
Tea
Tomato juice
Fresh tannin stains are usually removed by detergent (not soap) washing in hot water (as safe for fabric) during laundering without any treatment. Use of soap (bar soap, soap flakes, or detergents containing natural soap) will make a tannin stain permanent or at least more difficult to remove. Be sure to check the ingredients list of your detergent for soap. More brands now include it for economic reasons.
Oil-based Stains
Use heavy-duty detergent with hot water.
Automotive oil
Hair oil
Bacon fat
Hand lotion
Butter/margarine
Lard
Car door grease
Mayonnaise
Collar/cuff greasy rings
Salad dressing
Cooking fats and oils
Suntan oil or lotion
Face creams
The heavy-duty liquid detergents or aerosol sprays are more convenient and effective. Work the full-strength heavy-duty liquid detergent into the stain or spray with the pre -treatment product, then wash the garment using hot water (if safe for fabric), and the recommended amount of detergent for a regular laundry load, rinse, and inspect before drying. Repeat this treatment if removal is incomplete the first time.
Dye Stains
Need detergent wash and bleach as safe, for fabric.
Cherryade or similar colour carbonated beverages.
Felt-tip pen (permanent ink-may not come out)
Grass
Mustard
Some types of paint
Dye stains are very difficult to remove. First, pre treat the stain with a heavy-duty liquid detergent, then rinse thoroughly. Soak the stained garment in a dilute solution of all-fabric powdered bleach.
If the stain persists, and the garment is white or colour fast, soak in a dilute solution of liquid chlorine bleach and water. Bleaching damage to coloured garments is irreversible. To decide if a fabric can be bleached safely, use the test described previously. If the stain is not removed in 15 minutes, it cannot be removed by bleaching and further bleaching will only weaken the fabric.
Caution: Since bleaches can alter the colour of a fabric as well as the stain, bleach the whole garment and do not try to bleach just a spot.
Two step treatment: (1) Remove oily/waxy portion, (2) Remove dye portion using bleach as safe for fabric. Combination stains contain a variety of ingredients, but these stains usually have an oily/waxy component and a dye or pigment component. Use the procedures recommended for removing oil stains first.
Step 1 procedure depends on whether stain is in Group A or B as follows:
Group A. Spray or sponge with dry-cleaning solvent (perchloroethylene, trichloroethylene) then rub with heavy-duty liquid detergent before washing.
Ball-point ink
Candle wax
Carbon paper
Carbon typewriter ribbon
Crayon
Eye make-up (mascara, pencil, liner, shadow)
Floor wax
Furniture polish
Lipstick
Livestock paint
Pine resin
Shoe polish
Tar
Group B. Rub heavy-duty liquid detergent into stain before washing.
Barbecue sauce
Calamine lotion
Tomato sauce
Cocoa or chocolate
Face make-up (powder, rouge, foundation)
Gravy
Hair spray
After you've done the procedures above, do step 2-removing dye stains. Start with an all-fabric bleach because it is less damaging to colours and fabrics. Use liquid chlorine bleaches for tough dye stains, if fabrics are colourfast to bleach.
We hope this guide offers some help.