The Battle of Stain Removal

Discovering a stain on your favorite piece of clothing or furniture is never good news. There are many stain removal options, some green and some not, but with all stains it is important to tackle the problem as soon as possible. Stains that have time to set in the fabric are much harder to remove, and often require harsh chemicals. 

Most stains are removed by dissolving them with a solvent. The solvent to use depends from two factors: the agent that is causing the stain, and the material that has been stained. Different solvents will dissolve different stains, and the application of some solvents is limited by the fact that they not only dissolve the stain, but also dissolve the material that is stained and could then damage the material.

Another concern for removing stains from fabric is color. Some stain removal agents will not only dissolve the stain but will dissolve the dye that is used to color the material. Because of this, it is important to know what sort of material you’re dealing with and the best safe stain removal you need to apply.

Synthetic fibers such as acrylic, nylon, olefin, polyester, and blends of these fibers or cottons are tough and durable, but have a special attraction for oil stains. Oil stains should be removed promptly because allowing a stain to dry or go through a drying cycle will make removal extremely difficult or impossible. These fabrics also shrink and melt in high temperatures, so avoid using heat to remove stains. Also, fabrics such as silk, wool, or other hair fibers like cashmere dissolve in fresh bleach, so never turn to bleach for stain removal of these fabric types. Even dissolved bleach used on these fabrics will cause permanent yellowing and stiffening of wool fibers and usually cause weakening and color loss in silk. Cellulose fibers like cotton, linen, and rayon can also become damaged after repeated exposure to diluted bleach solutions. For removing stains from fabric with bleach, make sure the fabric can withstand a diluted bleach solution before use. 

Also, if the fabric has a care label like most clothing does, check if the fabric is machine washable. Clothing manufacturers are required to tell you the recommended care procedure on a “permanent care label.” These labels often appear at the neckline of garments or on the side. These labels tell if the manufacturer recommends home laundering or dry cleaning. Never attempt to remove a stain yourself from garments requiring professional dry cleaning, as you are pretty much guaranteed that the fabric will be ruined with home cleaning techniques. If the label has warning such as “do not use chlorine bleach,” then you cannot safely remove the stain with the use of bleach or cleaning products containing bleach. You should also avoid using “bleach alternatives” because they often contain chlorine which will cause fading and make fabrics weak. 

The fabric tag or other labels on clothing also tell you the fiber content. This is useful information for choosing the appropriate stain removal process. If you understand fiber characteristics, this information can help you decide on the best stain removal procedure. For example, wool or silk will always be severely damaged by bleach, so bleach should be avoided. Clothing labeled “dry-clean” should be taken to the cleaners, but sometimes even professional cleaners cannot remove all stains, and the cleaner should let you know if they think the stain will be permanent. Items like suede, leather, or fur should never be treated at home for stain removal.

Here are some simple steps to follow in order to remove or prevent stains:

1. Blot up any excess liquid with a clean cloth, paper, or other towel. Never rub stains, as this will push them further into the fabric. You can remove excess solids by gently scraping the stain with an appropriate item like a butter knife. 
2. Check the fabric type to see if it washable. If it is dry clean only, take the item to the cleaners as soon as possible so the stain does not have time to set in permanently. 
3. Avoid using hot water on stains because hot water will set protein stains such as milk, egg, or blood.
4. Avoid excessive rubbing unless fabric is tough and durable. Rubbing can spread the stain and damage the fiber, finish, or color. 
5. Do not iron or press stained fabrics because the heat will set most stains.
6. Check your laundry for stains before washing; many stains require pre-treatment.
7. Wash heavily soiled items separately because during laundering the stain can be redeposited on cleaner clothing if you are not using appropriate detergent. 

The supplies needed for stain removal can usually be found in grocery, drug, general merchandise, or paint stores. 

We highly recommend the Miele Care Collection detergents for regular laundering to protect clothing and maintain its appearance. Specialty detergents in the Miele Care Collection will aid in maintaining special fabrics at home. 

Below is a chart of common stain removal tips from the American Cleaning Institute, see the full list on their site:

Stain	Treatment
Adhesive tape, chewing gum, rubber cement	1. Apply ice or cold water to harden surface; scrape with a dull knife.  2. Saturate with prewash stain remover or cleaning fluid.  3. Rinse, then launder.
Beverages (coffee, tea, soft drinks,  wine, alcoholic beverages)	1. Sponge or soak stain in cool water. 2. Pretreat with prewash stain remover, liquid laundry detergent, liquid detergent booster or paste of powder laundry product and water. 3. Launder using sodium hypochlorite bleach, if safe for fabric, or oxygen bleach.  NOTE: Older stains may respond to pretreating or soaking in a product containing enzymes, then laundering.
Blood	Fresh Stains Soak in cold water (do not use hot water as it will set blood stains). Launder.  Dried Stains Pretreat or soak in warm water with a product containing enzymes. Launder.  NOTE: If stain remains, rewash using a bleach safe for fabric.
Candle wax	1. Scrape off surface wax with a dull knife. 2. Place stain between clean paper towels and press with a warm iron. Replace paper towels frequently to absorb more wax and to avoid transferring stains. 3. Place stain facedown on clean paper towels. Sponge remaining stain with prewash stain remover or cleaning fluid; blot with paper towels. Let dry. 4. Launder. NOTE: If any color remains, rewash using sodium hypochlorite bleach, if safe for fabric, or oxygen bleach.
Chocolate	1. Pretreat or prewash in warm water with a product containing enzymes. Or, treat with a prewash stain remover. 2. Launder. NOTE: If stain remains, rewash using a bleach safe for fabric.
Cosmetics	1. Pretreat with prewash stain remover, liquid laundry detergent, paste of powder detergent or laundry additive and water. Or, rub with bar soap. 2. Launder.
Crayon	For a Few Spots: 1. Treat the same as candle wax or dampen the stain and rub with bar soap, 2. Launder using hottest water safe for fabric. For a Whole Load of Clothes: 1. Wash with hot water using a laundry soap and 1 cup (212 g) baking soda. NOTE: If color remains, launder using sodium hypochlorite bleach, if safe for fabric. Otherwise, pretreat or soak in a product containing enzymes or an oxygen bleach using hottest water safe for fabric, then launder.
Dairy products	1. Pretreat or soak stains using a product containing enzymes. 2. Soak for at least 30 minutes or several hours for aged stains. 3. Launder.
Egg	1. Pretreat or soak stains using a product containing enzymes. 2. Soak for at least 30 minutes or several hours for aged stains. 3. Launder.
Fruit, juices	1. Wash with bleach safe for fabric.
Grass	1. Pretreat or soak in a product containing enzymes. NOTE: If stain persists, launder using sodium hypochlorite bleach, if safe for fabric, or oxygen bleach.
Grease, oil	Light Stains: 1. Pretreat with prewash stain remover, liquid laundry detergent or liquid detergent booster. 2. Launder using hottest water safe for fabric. Heavy Stains: 1. Place stain facedown on clean paper towels. Apply cleaning fluid to back of stain. 2. Replace paper towels under stain frequently. 3. Let dry, rinse. Launder using hottest water safe for fabric.
Ink	NOTE: Some inks in each of the following categories _ ballpoint, felt tip, liquid- may be impossible to remove, Laundering may set some types of ink. Try pretreating using one of the following methods: Prewash Stain Remover:  1. Pretreat using a prewash stain remover. Launder. Denatured Alcohol or Cleaning Fluid: 1. Sponge the area around the stain with the alcohol or cleaning fluid before applying it directly on the stain. 2. Place stain facedown on clean paper towels. Apply alcohol or cleaning fluid to back of stain. Replace paper towels frequently. 3. Rinse thoroughly. Launder. Alternate Method for Denatured Alcohol or Cleaning Fluid: 1. Place stain over mouth of a jar or glass; hold fabric taut. 2. Drip the alcohol or cleaning fluid through the stain so ink will drop into the container as it is being removed. 3. Rinse thoroughly. Launder.
Paint	Water-based Paint: 1. Rinse fabric in warm water while stains are still wet. 2. Launder. NOTE: Once paint is dry, it cannot be removed. Oil-based Paint and Varnish: 1. Use the same solvent the label on the can advises for a thinner. 2. If not available, use turpentine. 3. Rinse. 4. Pretreat with prewash stain remover, bar soap or laundry detergent. 5. Rinse and launder.