Preserving the Beauty of Your Clothes
When a stain shows up on your favorite outfit, it can quickly turn into a major wardrobe crisis. Luckily, most fabrics that are labeled dry clean only can be safely spot cleaned. Start with an absorbent white cloth or towel and carefully dab at the stain. Be sure to communicate the type of stain and any other pertinent information with your local dry cleaner.
Earth-Based Stains
There are a variety of earth-based stains that can be removed via dry cleaning services. These include tannin stains (from wine), color stains (like fruit and vegetable dyes), water stains and sweat stains, and grease and oil stains. Tannin stains are the most common of these and can usually be treated at home by soaking the stain in cool to hot water. After soaking, pretreating the stain with either liquid detergent, pre-wash stain remover, or a paste of powdered detergent and water is recommended. If the stain is not completely removed, launder it in a wash cycle with hot water and bleach safe for the fabric.
Protein-based stains are another type of stain that can be difficult to treat at home, but dry cleaners have special enzymes they use to break them down. These stains are often caused by food, body oils, milk, blood, urine, and sweat. They are generally brown or yellow in color and can occur on a wide range of fabrics. Sweat stains can be especially stubborn and may need to be treated several times before they are fully eliminated.
To tackle this category of stains, first, blot the stained area with an absorbent cloth to avoid spreading the stain. If the garment is silk, always blot it with a clean white towel to prevent any further damage to the fabric. Next, place a piece of white paper under the stain and pour a small amount of cold water over it. After a minute, dab the stain with a clean cloth saturated in lemon juice. Rinse and repeat as needed until the stain is completely removed.
Finally, for oily stains, use a commercially available solvent such as linseed or turpentine oil, rubbing alcohol, or mineral spirits to remove the stain. Follow the instructions on the label of the particular product to apply it to the stain.
Protein-Based Body Stains
The second type of stain dry cleaners can remove is a protein-based body stain. This includes the icky stuff like blood, sweat, milk, tears, poo, and urine. Protein stains also create an intense odor that can be hard to get rid of, even after cleaning.
Greasy, oily stains are also very difficult to remove at home. These include cooking or motor oil, butter, petroleum jelly, moisturizer, and some hair care products. They are often very difficult to spot and are sometimes not detectable until they have had time to set.
Tannin stains are a type of water-based stain that can be very difficult to eliminate once they have been set. These are a combination of proteins and sugars that are able to bond together once they have been embedded in the fabric. This makes them very stubborn to eliminate and is a good reason why it is important to act quickly when dealing with this type of stain.
If you are concerned about a liquid-based stain, start by placing the item on a white towel and pouring cold water over it. If possible, this should remove the stain before it has had a chance to set. If it does not, you can try a solution of equal parts white vinegar and dish soap. Dip a cotton swab into the mixture and dab the stain. This should penetrate the stain and soak into it for a few minutes before you rinse it with cold water. Then hang it up or lay it flat to dry.
Oil-Based Stains
There are all sorts of oil-based stains that dry cleaners can remove via their stain removal services. These include greasy food, ketchup, oil, butter, salad dressing, and other oils. These stains are often difficult to see, as they can simply blend into the fabric’s natural color or darken it slightly. Oil stains also have the annoying habit of reappearing, even when you think you’ve got them all.
The first step for removing oil stains is blotting the affected area of the clothing with an absorbent cloth. This prevents the spread of the stain and avoids further damage to the fabric. The cloth should be dampened with plain water or a cleaning solution. It’s important to note that you should never rub the stain. Rubbing pushes the stain deeper into the fabric, making it harder to remove and potentially destroying the fabric completely.
If the first blotting does not remove the stain, the dry cleaner should try to identify the type of stain. They will use a combination of methods to get the stain out, including decolorization (using chemicals that remove dyes), saponification (turning the stain into a soap), bleaching reaction, or breaking the molecule apart with specific enzymes.
Another option is to soak the affected garment in cold water. The stain will typically disappear once the water has cooled down, so this method can be effective in removing some oil stains.
It’s always a good idea to bring stained clothing to the dry cleaners as soon as possible. The longer a stain sits, the more difficult it becomes to remove, and it may cause irreparable damage or change how colorfast the fabric is. The best thing you can do for your clothes is, to be honest with the dry cleaners about what’s on them, so they can choose the right method to treat them effectively.
It’s important to remember that there are a variety of stains, and the same stain removal techniques can work on most of them. However, if you’re not sure what kind of stain it is, your dry cleaner will use their years of experience and training to choose the right products and methods.
Dye Stains
Stains caused by dyes, including vegetable or artificial inks, are difficult to remove via normal washing techniques. However, dry cleaners have access to special solvents and equipment that allow them to tackle even the most stubborn of dye stains. The key to removing these types of stains is treating them as soon as possible. It is also advisable to take nonwashable items to the dry cleaners for stain removal, as attempting to clean them yourself may actually push the stain deeper into the fabric or make it permanent.
If you find a dye stain on your clothes, it is important to act quickly. Begin by blotting the stain with an absorbent white cloth or towel. Try not to rub the stain, as this can cause abrasion and further set the dye or oil into the fibers of the fabric. A little bit of cold water can also help to loosen the stain, but be careful not to pour too much water on the garment, as this can further set the stain and weaken the fibers of the fabric.
Next, use a mild detergent or hand soap on the stain. If the stain persists, soak the item in cool water with a mild detergent or club soda. If the stain hasn’t completely disappeared after soaking, it is a good idea to contact your dry cleaner for advice and to discuss further options.
It is generally not recommended to attempt to remove a dye stain at home, as it may be impossible to fully remove the stain and you may end up damaging your clothing. Some inks on white fabric can be removed by using a dye stripper that can be purchased in areas where package dyes are sold. It is advisable to test this product on a hidden part of the garment for dye stability before using it on the stain.
Taking your clothing to a dry cleaner for stain removal is a great way to keep your wardrobe looking its best. By following a few simple stain removal tips, you can enjoy your favorite outfits for longer and avoid the stress of having to replace them due to wear and tear.