|
Issue Date: December 7, 2008
|
5 things
you need to
know about |
Stains
1. Treat stains immediately. If you wait, the stain might set in. Use cool water or a stain remover, and place the garment on a flat surface to prevent the stain from running down the fabric.
2. Blot, don't rub. If you rub, you may pull color out of the fabric. Use a clean cotton towel or T-shirt to gently blot the spot.
3. No stain remover? Spit will do. "If itŐs organic, like grass or blood or wine, spit on it," says Andrea Ridout, host of home improvement radio show Ask Andrea. "Your saliva has enzymes that will break down the stain. Plain toothpaste and liquid dishwashing soap are great for anything greasy, like olive oil or lipstick." Other options: a baking soda/water paste; rubbing alcohol; aerosol hair spray; lemon juice.
4. Skip the dryer. "The No. 1 mistake is putting it in the dryer after washing it," Ridout says. Wet heat (washing machine, steam cleaner) can pull a stain out; dry heat bakes it in. Exceptions: Crayons and lipstick react badly to wet heat, so wash in cold water.
5. Keep trying. After attempting one technique, run the garment through the wash cycle. Still stained? Don't dry it. Just try another method, and re-wash the item.
Caveat: Some fabrics, like good quality wool blends or silk, require extra care and should be taken directly to a dry cleaner.
-- Kelly DiNardo
|
