Can
you imagine how it feels to go out for a lunch from your work place only to get
your cloth stained with soup or the pocket of your cloth being seriously messed
up with your pen’s ink? OK What about coming out from your mechanic’s workshop
with grease and oil stains all over your cloth.
There are other stains like armpit stains, collar, wrist, charcoal, mud,
coffee etc. that can really embarrass you.
Do not worry about them any more because I am going to show you some
cleaning fluids that can get these stains off your cloth without damaging or
discoloring the fabric.
Water: The first thing to do immediately a stain
occurs is to damp or wash the affected part with water. Although water cannot remove the stain and
may make the stain more noticeable, it will however not allow the stain to bond
with your cloth. If stains are allowed
to bond, it will be difficult to remove and in some cases may stay permanently. So, if you still have more time to stay away
from home, continue to damp with water, do not allow the stain to dry on your
cloth.
Lemon Juice or Vinegar: These two are very effective against grass
stains, coffee, tea and sticky substances like gum and glue. Apply it directly on the stain, leave for
some time and then wash with soap and rinse properly in water.
Salt Water: It works well on blood stains, wine and
armpit stains. Soak the cloth in salt
water before washing.
Glycerin: This is used for general washing of fabrics
because it draws stains out of the cloth.
Detergent:
For general laundry. It is effective against minor stains like
juice stain, chocolate smears and oil.
Bleaches: There are two major types– chlorine and
oxidize bleaches. I suggest they are used as last resort. They are majorly used on white cloths and
particularly cotton materials. They are effective and kills germs but harsh and
can remove the original color of your cloth. It is advised to test run it on an inner side
of the cloth before using it.
Enzymatic Cleaners: These are non-toxic cleaning agents that are
used not only on cloths but other items like rugs, foam etc. It is the natural way of removing stains.
It
is worthy of note that there are different types of materials, each material
should be treated differently:
Wool
materials are sensitive in nature and should be treated with care. Bleaches and acidic solvents will only damage
them. It requires only wool-safe detergent in lukewarm water and not hot water. Other non-white fabrics like silk, cotton and synthetic can be
scrubbed but bleaching them will get them destroyed. It is better to use enzymatic stain removal
for natural cleaning.
Try them and you will not need to throw that expensive cloth away.