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Whether you spilled, the kids smeared, or your husband dribbled, stains are the worst. Before you throw out that cute top or your favorite pair of pants, check out these helpful stain removing tips. These pre-treatments have been tested and passed on through three generations of our family—proven to remove even the toughest stains! With a little patience and TLC, your clothes will be looking good as new.

 

Blood

  • Soak in cold water. If stain remains, pour hydrogen peroxide on it; let it bubble on the stain and continue soaking a little longer. Rinse and launder as usual.

 

Candle Wax

  • Scrape off excess wax. Press between paper towels a warm iron. Pour a little Ronsonol on towel and sponge the spot until it’s clean.

 

Ketchup

  • Rub with Fels-Natpha soap. Soak for 30 minutes. Launder as usual.

 

Chewing Gum

  • Place garment in a bag and put in the freezer. Scrape off hardened gum. Sponge with Ronsonol. Launder as usual.

 

Chocolate

  • Soak in cold water and wash in hot sudsy water. Bleach with hydrogen peroxide if necessary, or rub with Fels-Naptha soap. Launder as usual.

 

Fruit

  • Rinse in cold running water and wash in hot water.

 

Coffee/Tea

  • Pour boiling water through the stain and wash as usual. If stain remains, use hydrogen peroxide and launder again.

 

Old Tea Stains

  • I try this on the most stubborn of stains. Wear rubber gloves for this. Combine 3/4 gal. warm water, 1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide, 1/8 cup laundery soap, and 1/16 cup dishwasher detergent. Soak 6 hours or more. Rinse with cold water.

 

Egg or Meat Stains

  • Soak in cold water (do not use warm water). If stain remains, use hydrogen peroxide.

 

Grease

  • Dab with Ronsonol and rub briskly in circular motion until stain evaporates to avoid leaving a mark. If necessary, pour more Ronsonol on the spot and rub the fabric together. You can also rub with Fels-Naptha.

 

Milk/Cream/Ice Cream

  • Rinse under cold running water and wash in hot water.

 

Mustard

  • Rub glycerine into the spot and wash in hot water. Or rub with Fels-Naptha and soak in hot water. Launder as usual.

 

Soft Drinks

  • Sponge with equal parts of rubbing alcohol and glycerine (or lukewarm water). Launder as usual.

 

Crayon

  • Launder in very hot water (whites) or warm (colors).

 

Fingernail Polish

  • Sponge gently with nail polish remover and launder as usual.

 

Ink

  • Spray hairspray on the spot and rub briskly. Continue spraying until spot is gone. Launder as usual.

 

Mildew

  • Wash in hot water. If stain remains, moisten with lemon juice, sprinkle salt onto the spot and set it in the sun for 30 minutes or more. Launder as usual.

 

Lipstick

  • Rub with lard (Crisco shortening) and blot with a clean rag until color transfers onto the rag. Wash in hot water.

 

Paint

  • Scrape off fresh paint. Soften dry paint with oil and gently sponge with paint thinner. Wash in hot water.

 

Rust

  • Apply lemon juice and salt. Set in the sun for a few hours. Launder as usual.

 

Scorch Spot (from iron)

  • Apply hydrogen peroxide to the spot and wash in hot water.

 

 

SUPPLIES TO KEEP ON HAND:

 

Fels-Naptha Soap (Target, Walmart, Dollar Store, online)

  • Rub to remove greasy oily stains, perspiration, ring-around-color, chocolate, baby formula, and make-up.

 

Hydrogen Peroxide

  • Gentle bleaching agent.

 

Ronsonol ( find this at Walgreens, Ace Harware, online)

  • This removes grease spots. Pour it onto a towel and apply to the spot. Rub briskly in circular motion until it evaporates. Reapply if needed.

 

Out White Brite Fabric Bleach (Bed,Bath and Beyond, Lowe’s, Walmart)

  • I use this often for whites. Follow directions on bottle. Soak for 15 minutes or longer.

 

Mrs. Stewart’s Blueing (Ace Hardware, Walmart, online)

  • Bleaches white clothes safely. Follow directions on bottle.

 

Oxi-Clean Stain Remover

  • Works well on many stains. Use half a scoop per quart of water.

 

Clorox Oxi Magic AND Spray n Wash Stain Remover

  • Spray both together on stains like ring-around-color, or dirt.

 

Lemi Shine Dishwasher Detergent Booster (Walmart, Target, Ace Hardware)

  • Removes tough spots and film, even in hard water.