5 Easy Ways to Remove Stubborn Stains from Clothing

We all love our families very much but one thing that we are sure you would like to do without is dealing with messy, unwanted stains. Whether it is grass stains on white rugby shorts or tomato sauce from last night’s dinner, stains happen in a heartbeat. The removal, however, not so much!

Save time this upcoming laundry day with these stain removal tips so that you can spend more time with your family or catch up on your favourite Netflix show – we won’t judge.

Here are five easy ways to remove stubborn stains from clothing.

1. How to Remove Grass Stains

Removing grass stains can be particularly difficult especially when present on white clothing ground in by your son who loves to tackle during his rugby matches. But, as a proud mom or dad, a stained pair of white rugby shorts won’t make the cut.

With these two grass stain removal options, those shorts will be white in no time!

Option 1: Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is similar to laundry bleach but milder which makes it perfect for trying to get rid of stubborn stains. For grass stains, mix two parts peroxide with one part dishwashing soap. Apply and rub on the stain areas, allow to sit for a few hours and then rinse with cool water. Repeat if needed.

Note: hydrogen peroxide can bleach your clothing so use only on whites.

Option 2: Vinegar and Bicarbonate of Soda

Vinegar and bicarb are particularly good for stains that are already well set in. Soak the grass-stained garment in undiluted vinegar for 30 minutes and then wash it in the machine. If the stains are still present, apply vinegar and bicarb paste to the area and wash again.

2. How to Remove Deodorant Stains

The dreaded hardened underarm area on shirts, t-shirts and long-sleeve tops. As much as we need deodorant, when faced with these tough stains it can lead you to question just how badly you need deodorant.

Do not fret – there are two easy methods you can use to rid your favourite shirts of these unpleasant stains.

Option 1: Asprin Mixture

As unexpected as this may seem, crushing two aspirin tablets into a cup of boiling water, mixing through and then applying to the deodorant-stained areas has proven to rid your shirts of these stubborn stains. Simply apply and allow to sit for a few hours before washing.

Option 2: Bicarbonate of Soda

Mix bicarb into a paste using a 3:1 ratio with water. Apply the paste to the deodorant-stained area with an old toothbrush. If you do not have bicarb on hand, plain soda water will work just as well.

3. How to Remove Ink Stains

There’s nothing worse than the kids getting home from school and noticing a giant blue or black ink stain on their shirt pocket or those sneaky ones hidden in the pocket of the school shorts or pants.

But there is an easy way to remove ink stains before having to think about replacing the school clothes.

Option 1: Warm Milk or Lemon Juice

Removing pen ink stains from your clothing can be easily done by soaking the garment in warm milk or lemon juice for up to an hour. After soaking rinse with cold water.

Option 2: Hairspray and Vinegar

Hairspray and vinegar as proven rather effective against stubborn ink stains on clothing. Blot the stain as much as you can with a clean white cloth paying careful attention not to rub the ink in then spray the stain thoroughly with hairspray. Blot the stain with a clean cloth dipped in vinegar until the ink is gone. Wash as usual.

5. How to Remove Coffee Stains

Accidentally spill a cup of coffee on your new shirt?

Removing coffee stains might seem like a difficult feat but it can be really simple if you have the correct items on hand and one of these might surprise you.

Option 1: Egg and Water

Dilute an egg yolk in water and rub it on the coffee-stained area. Allow to sit for a while then remove with only cold water.

Option 2: Vinegar and Water

Soak the stained fabric in 1/3 cup of vinegar and 2/3 cups of water then hang outside in the sun to dry and wash as usual.

5. How to Remove Tomato Sauce Stains

If you are having spaghetti for dinner then you can be sure to find a tomato sauce stain or two on the kid's clothing after dinner. Thankfully, even though it seems that tomato sauce stains are irremovable, they are actually quite easy to remove with the right tools at hand.

Option 1: Rinse and Wash

If the stain has recently occurred, you can get away with removing the excess tomato sauce from the garment without rubbing. Once the excess has been removed, rinse cold water over the back of the stain to bring the stain out. Now wash as per usual.

Option 2: Detergent Soak

For more persistent tomato sauce stains, soak the garment in a bucket of warm detergent water. After soaking attempt to wash again.

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What stains do you hate removing? Do you have any stain removal tips that you would like to share with us? Be sure to do so in the comments on our social media pages by following the links below: Facebook, Twitter or Instagram pages.