Did you ever have to deal with a spill or a
stain on your clothes just as you were about to leave? That is a common
and very frustrating situation. Luckily, not every stain requires a
special product or a cycle in the washing machine. There may be a much
simpler way to resolve the issue. These household items can be found in
every home, and they are surprisingly effective at removing stains.
1. Bread
One of the most important steps of treating
a stain is stopping it from spreading. That’s where a slice of bread
could really come in handy. It could be white or whole wheat - any type
of bread will do. Simply grab a slice and use it to blot the stain. The
bread will act like a sponge - it will absorb the stain and prevent it
from spreading or moving deeper into the fibers of the fabric.
This method can even be effective at lifting old grease stains on suede
or leather. Place the slice of bread on the stain for an hour or so to
absorb the oil and proceed cleaning the item as usual.
2. Vodka
If you’re dealing with a particularly
stubborn ink stain, grab a bottle of vodka. Saturate a clean white cloth
or a cotton swab with vodka. Then, blot away the ink, working from the
outside edge of the stain towards the center. Only use a clean area of
the cloth, rotating it from time to time, or replace the cotton swab
with clean ones until all the ink is gone. Finally, blot the area with a
cloth dipped in plain water.
Another trick is to use vodka as a DIY fabric freshener. Many commercial
refreshers are high in alcohol. To make your own, simply mix half a cup
of vodka with 1 cup of cool water in a spray bottle and spritz any
stale-smelling clothes.
3. Shaving cream
Shaving cream is a great stain remover
because it's essentially whipped soap. For a spill on a clothing item,
dampen the stain with water and rub in just a dab of shaving cream with
your fingers. Then, wipe it with a white cloth or paper towel dipped in
cold water. This is important to prevent color transfer from one fabric
to another. Finish by blotting the area with a dry white cloth or paper
towel, or use a blow dryer on low heat.
The basic variety of shaving cream is the best one for stain removal.
Avoid gels or products with added moisturizers and colors.
4. Permanent markers
Yes, we know that sounds rather
counterproductive. After all, permanent markers are usually the cause of
a stain and not the solution. So you might be surprised to learn that
permanent markers can be used as stain removers. If you accidentally
splash bleach on your shirt, you will be able to save it by filling in
the bleached areas with a permanent marker.
Black markers work best with black fabric, blue ones with blue clothes,
and so on. Try to match the color of the permanent marker with the color
of your fabric as closely as possible. The idea is to get a match that
will not be noticeable unless you know exactly where to look
5. Cream of tartar
Cream of tartar is a mild acid that helps
baked goods maintain a fluffy texture and stability. It also works well
at removing berry or red wine stains from white fabrics.
Make a paste of hot water and cream of tartar, then apply the paste onto
the stain and let it sit for at least 15 minutes. Rinse and repeat, if
necessary. For rust stains, you can boost your solution by mixing the
cream of tartar with a bit of lemon juice. The added citric acid from
the lemon will help remove the stains. Note that this method should be
used carefully on colored fabrics. Test the mixture on the inside seam
of the garment first to make sure that the fabric is colorfast, and only
then proceed to remove the actual stain.