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Summertime Stains: A Tough Problem

Submitted by Lorene Bartos, UNL Extension Educator

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Along with summer activities come stains. The most common stains are food but there are also many garden and yard stains. Stain removal is possible, most of the time, but the sooner the stain is treated the better.

Follow these tips to remove stains from washable fabrics:

Grass: Pretreat or presoak stains using a liquid laundry detergent or a prewash stain remover. Follow the directions on the product's label. Launder, using the hottest water safe for the fabric. If the stain persists, launder again using chlorine bleach, if safe for the fabric, or oxygen bleach.

Mud and dirt: Let the mud dry thoroughly. Brush off as much dry mud/dirt as possible. Pretreat with a paste of powder detergent and water, liquid laundry detergent or a liquid detergent booster. Launder. For heavy stains, pretreat or presoak with a laundry detergent or a presoak product. Launder, using the hottest water safe for the fabric.

Pine Resin: Use a solvent to remove oily content, such as paint thinner, mineral spirits or a cleaning solvent (such as Goof Off or Goo Gone). Use laundry detergent and water on the remaining residue. Launder.

Pollen: Gently shake the stained item to remove as much pollen as you can. Use the sticky side of a piece of tape to lift off the remaining particles. Pretreat with a prewash stain remover. Launder using chlorine bleach, if safe for the fabric, or oxygen bleach.

Rust: Use a commercial rust remover, available in supermarkets and hardware stores. These products contain toxic acids, so be sure to read and follow the label directions carefully. Never use chlorine bleach or a product containing chorine bleach on a rust stain. It will permanently set the stain.

Paint, oil-based: Treat the stain while it is fresh. Use the same solvent the label on the paint can recommends as a thinner. If the label isn't available, use turpentine. Read the garment care instructions and test the solvent on an inconspicuous area of the garment before treating the stain. Rinse. Pretreat with prewash stain remover or laundry detergent. Rinse and launder.

Paint, water-based: Rinse the fabric in warm water while the stains are still wet. Then launder. Once the paint is dry, it can't be removed.

Tomato-based or catsup stains: Remove excess with a dull knife. Soak in cool water for 30 minutes. Work liquid dish detergent into the stains and launder in warm or hot water and chlorine bleach, if safe for fabric. If stain remains, soak 30 minutes in an enzyme presoak (such as BIZ). Rinse and launder.

Mustard: Scrape off excess with a dull knife. Treat with a prewash stain remover. Launder.

Carry a prewash stain stick or wipes with you on picnics or other outings and treat stains immediately. This will make removal easier at laundry time. Have a good summer.