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Stain removal guide for students |
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Monday, 10 September 2007 |
For some reason ‘college student’ is synonymous with ‘complete slob.’
We’re dirty, we spill things, we stain our carpet and we have no idea how to clean up after ourselves.
Stains should be treated as soon as possible before they set. When removing a deep-set stain from a natural fabric like cotton or wool, rub the stain from the back to push the stain out.
Rubbing forward on the surface will force the stain further into the fibers.
Test any cleaning mixtures on a small, hidden part of the garment before treating visible stains.
With every garment, whether stained or not, read the washing
instructions on the tag. Certain fabrics need to be cared for in
certain ways to ensure they hold their shape and color.
Alcohol
You’re at a bar
when during a spontaneous and rousing karaoke rendition of “Bohemian
Rhapsody,” you fall off the stage, spilling your beer all over
yourself.
Sponge
off stain several times with warm water, then pour glycerin on damp
stain rub together and leave for half an hour. Rinse in warm water.
Wine
You’re at a
party, looking fabulous of course, when some drunk guy runs into you,
spilling your wine all over your gorgeous clothes.
Treat a red wine stain by pouring white wine on the area. Wash in cold water and ammonia.
Treat a white wine stain with cold water and ammonia.
Vomit
Too much cafeteria food? Vomit is an easy clean- up.
Clean up with warm water mixed with a little bit of ammonia. Sprinkle with pepsin powder, leave for 30 minutes and sponge off.
Coffee
You are on your
fifth cup of coffee during your third all-nighter this week when all
the caffeine causes you to knock the mug over and onto your lap.
For cotton and linen, rinse in warm water and then pour boiling water
from 2-3 feet above the garment. Later wash in soapy water.
For other fabrics, rub glycerin onto stain, let it sit for half an hour and then rinse in warm water.
Dye
You decide to get the blue hair mom and dad would never let you have.
It went horribly wrong and now your clothes are vaguely reminiscent of Joseph’s Technicolor Dreamcoat.
Wash immediately in tepid water, allowing the water to push out the
stain. Try washing the garment repeatedly and leaving it out in the
sun. If this does not work, wash with equal parts wood alcohol and
ammonia.
Cosmetics
Somehow, for some unidentifiable reason, make -up always ends up on clothes.
Pre-treat stains with store bought laundry soak and wash as normal.
If the stains are particularly stubborn, sponge with equal parts wood alcohol and ammonia and then rinse in warm water.
Mud
On a rainy day, you decide to have an all out mud fight on Sanford Mall.
It’s great fun for all, but now your clothes are stained.
After the mud dries, scrape as much as you can off of the garment. Pre-treat with laundry soak and wash as usual.
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