Removing chocolate stains from fabric

Removing blood stains from fabric

1. Dab the blood stain with a cloth dipped in cold water (not warm or hot)
2. If the step above doesn’t work, then soak the mark in cold water with a squirt of washing-up liquid for 10 minutes, then dab dry
3. If the item is white or colourfast (test on an inconspicuous area if you’re not sure), pour hydrogen peroxide through the fabric, scrub and rinse in cold water.

Removing chewing gum from fabric

To remove chewing gum from clothes, place the item of clothing in the freezer. Once the chewing gum is frozen, you can just pick it straight off.

On items that can’t be placed in the freezer, you can remove the chewing gum by hardening it with ice and then use a blunt knife to pick it off.

Removing nail polish from fabric

1. Spray the area with bug spray
2. Rub the clothing/fabric together, blotting frequently with paper towel
3. Repeat as necessary

Removing pollen stains from fabric and carpet

Do not:

1. Rub or brush the pollen stain off the fabric/carpet, as this will push the pollen further into the fibres.
2. Use your fingers to brush the pollen stains off the fabric/carpet. The oils from your fingers will set the stain.
3. Rub the stain with a wet cloth. This will spread and set the stain.

Fabric

Option 1 – Water and stain remover

1. Shake out the fabric or use sticky tape to remove as much pollen as possible
2. Soak the garment in cold water for half an hour and then rinse it thoroughly, repeating these steps until most of the stain has been removed
3. Now apply a spot stain remover to the area and wash the garment in the hottest temperature possible (if it’s a washable fabric). Otherwise, rinse as before.
4. Before the garment is dry, check the area. You may find, in many cases, you will have to repeat steps 2 and 3 again before the stain completely disappears.

Option 2 - Enzymatic detergent

If your garment is washable, then an enzymatic detergent may work well on pollen stains.

Option 3 – Dry Cleaning Fluid

Using dry-cleaning fluid, try to blot from the outside of the stain, inwards.

Option 4 – Sunlight

Once you have gently shaken off or lifted the excess pollen with stick tape, lay the garment out in direct sunlight for a few hours. In a lot of cases, the pollen stain will disappear.

Carpet

1. Reddish pollen stains can often be moved by pouring some 99% Isopropanol (Isoproply Alcohol).
2. Pour the Isopropanol over the area and blot the resulting yellow liquid with paper towels.

Regular rubbing alcohol (70% Isopropyl alcohol) will probably not work because of its high water content.

Removing water stains from fabric

1. Dampen the entire stained area with water and allow it to air dry
2. Hold the stained area of fabric over steam from a boiling kettle or pot, or
3. Hold the stained area of fabric over steam from a boiling kettle or pot, or
4. Dampen the stained area with water and iron the stain away (if the fabric allows ironing). Read the manufacturer’s label before proceeding, or
5. Apply Borax to the stain and rub gently with a cloth. This works on seats in vehicles, or
6. Rub the stain gently with a cloth dipped in vinegar. Rinse the stained area in cool water and allow it to dry.

Removing Blood Stains from Washable Fabric

Washing-up Liquid or Hydrogen Peroxide

1.  Dab the blood stain with a cloth dipped in cold water (not warm or hot)

2.  If the step above doesn’t work, then soak the mark in cold water with a squirt of washing-up liquid for 10 minutes, then dab dry

3.  If the item is white or colourfast (test on an inconspicuous area if you’re not sure), pour hydrogen peroxide through the fabric, scrub and rinse in cold water.

Salt Water

1. First rinse the garment completely in cold running water.

2. Then soak the garment in a solution of 1 cup of salt to 8 cups of COLD water.

3. Soak for 60 minutes.

4. Rinse the garment through in cold water.

5. Then wash as directed.

Removing Paint from Fabrics

1. To remove paint from water-based latex, acrylic, emulsion and school paints, rinse wet stains under running water then wash according to the fabric care label.

2. For dried paints, those that are oil or varnished based, sponge carefully with white spirit or a proprietary paintbrush cleaner (apply in small amounts, and test on a small area before proceeding) before washing.

Remove Water-Based Ink Stains from Fabric

1. Place the stained clothing on top of a clean dry towel or cloth.

2.  Apply water to the ink stain and blot with another clean cloth.

3.  While you blot, the ink stain it will begin to transfer onto the cleaning cloth.

4.  Apply a small amount of liquid washing detergent to the ink stain and allow the fabric to sit for between 3-5 minutes.

5.  Using the hottest water recommend for your clothing wash normally.

6.  Before drying, check to make sure the entire stain was removed.

7.  If any trace of the stained area remains, repeat the steps above.

Please note that drying the stained area before all the stain is removed will make it harder to remove the stain later.

Removing Chocolate Stains from Fabric

• Allow any clumps of chocolate to harden, then scrape away as much as possible using a spoon or dull knife.
• Apply either Laundry detergent, stain remover or soap to the stained area..
• Allow the product to soak for several minutes.
• If the stain is large or ground into the fabric, allow the stained area to soak in a bowl filled with cold water with one of the detergents/soaps.
• Launder as usual with cold water -  warm or hot water as this can set the stain.
• Hang the clothing to dry completely and ensure the stain is removed before placing it in the dryer for future cleanings.