As the Holidays approach (Christmas, Halloween & Thanksgiving) many out there will have
to deal with stains. You know, be it wine, hot chocolate or lipstick, and if it happens to
you, look below for a solution to save your pants, blouse or carpet.


1) Grease-
This could be butter, oil (coconut or olive), mayonnaise
or gravy and the best way to remove it (the stain) is to start
with a combination solvent* Follow up with mineral spirits*
or oil solvent if necessary.
* What is a combination solvent?
A combination of glycerin, soap and water such as mineral spirits,
Magic, shout or Spray N’ Wash. Apply this combo to a clean cloth and
not to the garment. Gently rub and see if the stain is on the cloth.
More information on cleaning agents (* like mineral spirits) are listed below.

2) Protein-
(Blood, Eggs or Grass)
Soak bloodstains in cold saltwater first. Use a digestant,* if necessary,
flush with white vinegar or hydrogen peroxide, using an eyedropper
to remove the stain.
* Digestants- some other digestants beside hydrogen peroxide,
bile salt and hydrochloric acid.

3) Fruit and Vegetables-
(Grape juice stain, grape jam or from watermelon)
Start with denatured alcohol*. Using an eyedropper, flush with white
vinegar to remove remaining color, then dishwashing detergent to remove
the residue.
* Denatured Alcohol- Is alcohol that has bittering agents in it, to discourage
people from drinking it.

4) Red Wine-
Unfortunately, a lot of people spill wine on white pants or blouses and to
get rid of a wine stain use denatured alcohol. (see description above or below).
Then use an eyedropper, flush with white vinegar for remaining color. For
sturdy fabric, coat area with salt, hold over a bowl or the sink, and pour hot
water through the fabric from above.

5) Hot Drinks-
(Hot chocolate, tea or Brandy Alexander)
Using an eyedropper, flush with lemon juice (tea) or white vinegar (coffee)
to remove color, then use stronger bleach if necessary. For sugar, flush with
water. For milk, follow up with combination solvent.

6) Vinaigrette-
Use a combination solvent for grease, then, using an eyedropper, flush with
white vinegar for color.

7) Wax or Gum-
Candle wax and gum stuck to the carpet are two problems a lot of people
need help with during the holidays and get rid of either one use ice to freeze
wax or gum, or place the item in freezer; scrape or crack off as much as you
can, then use oil solvent or mineral spirits* to remove residue.
* Mineral Spirits, description listed below.

8) Chocolate-
Making a chocolate cake or brownies can sometimes end up on your
clothes, and to remove the stain-start with a combination solvent for
grease, then follow up with a digestant for protein, if necessary.

9) Sauces-
(Condiments- Ketchup or mustard or tomato or barbecue sauce).
Scrape off the excess. Use a combination solvent for grease. Then,
using an eyedropper, flush with white vinegar for color.

10) Felt-Tip Ink-
Flush with denatured alcohol using an eyedropper; wash with dishwashing
detergent.

11) Ballpoint Ink-
Rub glycerin into area; leave it alone for 15 to 20 mins. wash with dishwashing
detergent. Or spray with inexpensive hair spray and rinse with cool water.

12) Lipstick-
Use a combination solvent to remove grease. Using an eyedropper, flush with
white vinegar or a mild bleach to remove the remaining color.

Defining the products-
Here’s a list of some of the items you’ll need to remove stains.
* Combination Solvents-
Shout, Spray N Wash All-purpose stain removers, good on greasy stains.
* Mineral Spirits-
Mineral turpentine, look for it at Home Depot or Lowes.
Best on greasy stains and tar. Air out clothes after using.
* Digestants-
Biz, Era Plus, Wisk
Contains enzymes that “eat” protein stains, like grass and blood.
Do not use on silk or wool.
* Oil Solvents-
K2r, Afta
Dry-cleaning fluid, safe on non-washables. Good for greasy stains.
Use only on dry fabric in a well-ventilated area.
* Deteregent-
A mild clear liquid dishwashing detergent is an effective all-purpose
cleaner. Apply it straight, wait 5 mins. then flush or dab with water.
* Glycerin-
Particularly good for ballpoint ink.
* Absorbants-
Cornstarch and Talcum powder
Sprinkle on fresh grease stains, wait 15 mins. then scrape off and treat the
stains.
* Denatured Alcohol-
Effective at breaking down some stains and evaporates without leaving
a residue.
* Bleaches-
Chlorine bleach, diluted with water, is to be to used only as a last resort.
Instead, remove the color left behind by stains with mild bleaches, like
lemon juice, white vinegar (mixed with 1:1 with water); 2 or 3 percent hydrogen
peroxide; or ammonia (2 parts water to 1 part ammonia; do not use on wool
or silk). Use a cotton swab to dab the bleach or place paper towels under the
fabric, and use an eyedropper to flush the area with the proper bleach.

Some more tips to remove stains…
For washable fabrics only.
* It’s best to leave non-washable fabrics to the professionals.
* Always check the labels in garments before removing the stain.
* Test cleaning technique on a hidden part of the garment to make
sure the garment can take it.
* Work from the outside in to keep the spot from spreading.

Sources:
* Real Simple Magazine
* Oxiclean.com

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