In this chapter, we discuss eight physical stain-removal techniques: brushing, flushing, freezing, presoaking, pretreating, scraping, sponging, and tamping. Which technique to use in treating a particular spot or stain depends upon both the nature of the stain and the type of surface stained.
Some of the most common active ingredients in stain removers include ammonia, bleach, enzymes and d-limonene.
Water - Hot, cold, free, fresh and plentiful. Water will be your first line of defense. Rinse, blot, dab and repeat; water by itself can't do much damage. Vinegar - Vinegar is a natural and effective stain remover.
Lipase is used on the surface of materials to make sure easy removal of oil. It works by forming a fabric-lipase complex on the surface of the clothing that makes a barrier.
Ink stains can be removed using Oxalic acid C 2 H 2 O 4 .
Baking soda has many uses but works superbly at cutting through and removing tough stains, Baking Soda is a mild alkaline so it is able to cut through strong stains like grease, oil, gravy and even stains such as vomit and faeces.
A popular homemade stain remover recipe is to mix equal parts hydrogen peroxide with Dawn dish soap in a spray bottle to tackle hard to remove pet stains.
Greasy / Oil Stains – such as hand lotion, hair mousse, lard and butter. Oxidisable Stains – key ingredient in alcoholic drinks, coffee and tea (without milk) and soft drinks. Particulate Stains – such as mud and ground in dirt. Combination Stains – these stains can be a mix of two or more of the above stain types.
Mix 1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide with two cups cool water. “It will solve almost all tough stains,” says Leverette, who advises against using acidic cleaners like vinegar or lemon juice, which can etch the stone.
A: Acetone is a very effective chemical for the removal of most plastic-type stains that cannot be dissolved by other dryside agents. Acetone may effectively reduce or even remove many difficult stains such as paints, adhesives, glues, nail coatings, and some melted plastics.
After more than thirty hours of research and in-house testing, our pick for the best laundry stain remover currently on the market is OxiClean – Versatile Stain Remover. OxiClean Versatile was effective enough to combat a variety of stains, from ink, to chocolate, to coffee.
First neutralize with a vinegar solution (1 part white vinegar to 1 part water). Blot with a towel from the edge of the stain inward. Follow this with a solution of warm water and dish soap, then remove with a damp towel.
Acetic Acid.
A 10% solution of acetic acid can be purchased generically at pharmacies. (White vinegar is 5% acetic acid and can be used as a substitute for the stronger solution.) It is a clear fluid that can be used to remove stains on silk and wool.
It's because alcohol is a degreasing agent. The toughest stains, the ones that your laundry detergent and other soaps can't eliminate, are greasy and oily in their makeup. As a result, alcohol can break down the components of the stain better.
Vinegar has been used in inks for quite a while. It's what's called a “mordant” or “fixative”. It helps the dye “bind”, “set”, or attach onto paper of fabric. The salt will help preserve the ink so that it lasts longer.
Ammonia solution is used to remove oil and grease stains from clothes.
To remove dried-in or old grease and oil stains from your garments, apply a small amount of liquid laundry detergent onto the stained area, gently rub the fabric against itself, let the clothing sit for a couple of hours, then wash as usual as per the fabric care label's recommendation.
Degreasers
Degreasers are sometimes known as solvent cleaners and are used to remove grease from surfaces such as oven tops, counters and grill backsplashes.
Mix 1 tablespoon of liquid laundry detergent with enzymes with 1 cup of water. Add 1/4 teaspoon of white vinegar and stir. Use a Dobie All Purpose Cleaning Pad to apply the detergent-vinegar mixture to your unidentified stain. Blot with the pad until the stain is gone.