Stain Removal 101
A crash course to make removing stains simple
No matter how careful we try to be in our day-to-day schedule, sometimes the occasional stain is inevitable, be it a splash of soup, a spill of wine, or ink from your favourite pen. Stains happen; that’s a simple fact of wearing clothes and using textile products. We are all likely to experience a tough stain at some point. Stain removal does not have to be difficult, but it is essential to learn the fundamentals first. Let’s get right into it!
What exactly is a stain?
A stain is an unwelcome colouring or deposition on fabric that happens due to the physical interaction between a staining agent and the fabric’s fibres and typically shows some resistance to removal. The presence of stains reduces the material’s value and quality. The two primary groups of stains are organic stains and inorganic stains. Organic stains are those caused by living things, whereas inorganic stains are those caused by man-made objects. However, stains may be further subdivided into groups based on a variety of variables like origin, character, and stain removal technique.
Classification of stains
Every stain is different, and different stain types call for different treatments. However, certain general rules apply when it comes to stain removal.
- Determine where the stain originated - Identifying the source of stains is essential before attempting to remove them. The majority of stains in the same group behave consistently and respond to different circumstances similarly. For example, protein-based stains become permanently set when any kind of heat is applied. Knowing the source of the stain can help you choose the best cleaning method. This is why at Trenor, we like to ask a lot of questions when we receive stained clothes so that we can apply the best method.
- Act quickly - Since stain removal is easiest when stains are still new, the sooner you spot and treat a stain, the higher your chances of success. The advantage is yours if you treat stains as soon as it occurs. A stain is more likely to disappear if you treat it right away.
3. Do not rub; instead, blot it- Your initial inclination may be to rub the fibres vigorously to scrub out the spot but don’t do it! An important technique for removing stains is to blot them out with a clean white cloth so that the staining material does not get pushed further into the fibres. When you blot you transfer as much of the stain into the cloth you are blotting with. This also allows you time to plan your stain removal strategy, using the appropriate steps. Through our blog posts, Trenor is curating a step-by-step guide for removing a wide range of stains, so our site can be a great resource for you.
4. Follow the care instructions on the label-Clothes and some other textile products such as carpets have care label instructions for how they can be cleaned. It is important to check it out and follow these instructions when removing stains, so you don’t end up ruining your items with your stain-removal efforts.
5. Start with gentle, natural treatments and work your way up to more powerful ones if necessary- First thing is to simply rinse the stain with water. You wouldn’t believe that certain stains can be removed with just water however, common household items we have in the kitchen such as baking soda, vinegar, lemon juice, hydrogen peroxide, and dishwashing soap are amazing stain removers. Harsh treatments such as bleach, ammonia, and other chemicals are more likely to ruin your items in the process.
6. Do not combine and concoct solutions-The stain-removing process requires patience. You may have to try a couple of things before you find the one that works for your spot. Although you may need to try several different methods for removing stains, as stated above, you should not be combining different stain removers. This can cause adverse chemical reactions, such as toxic gas formation when you combine bleach and ammonia. To avoid this properly rinse and remove one product before trying another one.
7. Always test for colourfastness -The term “colourfastness” refers to how resistant the colour in the fabric is to leak out. When using more aggressive stain removal treatments, the products you employ may change the colour of the fabric you are trying to treat. There is nothing more annoying than a white spot on a coloured t-shirt where the stain remover removed the stain, but also removed the dye in the shirt.
Choose an inconspicuous site for your test; the underside of a seam or hem works well. Apply a very small amount of the solution to the hem or inside seam. Let the solution sit for a few minutes on the fabric and then blot the spot dry with a white paper towel. Check the paper towel to see if it’s clean, or if some colour has rubbed off onto it.
Also, look at the seam. Is it the same colour as the untouched fabric around it, or a lighter colour? If the seam colour looks the same and no colour came off onto the paper towel you can be confident that the stain remover is going to be safe, and you can go ahead and apply it on the stained area.
8. Before drying, make sure the stain is removed. The worst thing you can do to a stain is to allow it to dry out. Supposing your method for removing the stain does not completely get rid of it after it has gone through the wash, repeat it or try another method before drying. If that is not possible, for instance, you don’t have enough time to deal with it right away, soak the fabric with water and detergent overnight, and try again.
It is important to keep in mind that certain stains just won’t go away, despite your best efforts. This might happen when the stain is too old or sometimes for reasons beyond your control, they have become permanent. When attempting to remove stains, patience is key. However, you must also recognise that certain items are just a lost cause and cannot be saved after several attempts and you may need to find a solution to hide the stain or repurpose the item.
You don’t have to tackle stains in confusion. That is why we are here to help. For the next coming months, with every blog article, we want to become your go-to resource for stain removal, discussing particularly tough stains from all sources, from (A) avocado through to (Z) zomi palm oil and everything in between, one after the other, exploring how to get rid of them from clothes and carpets. Please let us know what kind of stain bothers you the most in the comments section, and we’ll provide you with some tips and techniques. You can also phone us on 0553655059 for prompt assistance once a stain has occurred, and we’ll walk you through the process.
At Trenor, we root for at-home stain removal, sometimes you wish you can tackle the stains, but you have no time to go through all these steps. Some stains also seem so complicated that they are simply better off left to the professionals. We advise that you drop off your stained clothes as soon as possible and take note of the source of the stain because we would ask a few questions in order to determine how we would go about the treatment.
Keep an eye out for our upcoming blog articles as we take on challenging stains one at a time.
Written by :
Loveryn Dodu
Research and Training Supervisor
Trenor Coats and Gowns Ltd
REFERENCES
Balakumar, R.S. (2021). Classification of stain and removal techniques from clothes. Retrieved from https://textilelearner.net/stain-removal-techniques-from-clothes/
Leverette et al (2022). Your Complete A-to-Z Stain Removal Guide for Clothes, Carpet, and More Retrievedfromhttps://www.thespruce.com/stain-removal-guide-3893802
Soukup, R. (2022). How to Remove Almost Any Stain (Yes, Really!) Retrieved from https://www.livingwellspendingless.com/remove-almost-stain/
