Laundromat Stain Removal Tips
Here are some common stains and methods we find effective in treating them. While they work well for us, we can’t promise they will work for you, so please use them at your own rise. Click the problem below to reveal the recommended treatment.
Beverage Stains
Sponge with cold water or soak. Then pre-treat what’s left of the stain and launder with appropriate bleach and hottest water safe for fabric.
Blood Stains
Soak in cold water, then pre-treat the remainder of the stain. Launder with appropriate bleach and hottest water safe for the fabric. If stain persists, soak it in warm water with pre-soak product and re-wash.
Candle Wax
Rub the spot with ice and scrape off any excess wax with a dull knife. Then, place the stained area between paper towels and press with a warm iron. Replace paper towels frequently to absorb the wax. Next, launder with appropriate bleach and hottest water that’s safe for the fabric.
Chocolate
Soak the garment in cold water and pre-treat the remaining stain. Launder with appropriate bleach and use the hottest water that’s safe for the fabric.
Crayon
Place the stained surface onto layers of paper towels and spray with WD-40. Let it stand for a few minutes, then turn the fabric and spray the other side; let it stand as well. Apply liquid hand dishwashing detergent and work it into the stain until it’s removed.
Cosmetics
Pre-treat the stain and launder with the appropriate bleach and the hottest water that’s safe for the fabric. If stain persists, soak it in warm water with the pre-treat product. Rinse and re-wash the item.
Deodorant, Antiperspirant, Perspiration
Pre-treat the stain and launder it with appropriate bleach in the hottest water safe for the fabric. Treat freshly discolored stains with ammonia, and old stains with vinegar. Rinse thoroughly and re-wash the item.
Dye Transfer
If it’s wet, spray with Spray ‘n’ Wash product. Then, re-launder it in warm water. Check its progress before placing it in the dryer. If the stain persists, you may have to repeat the first step. If the stain is dry, launder with chlorine bleach if it’s safe for the fabric; otherwise use non-chlorine bleach. Sometimes commercial colour removers work to remove stains, but other times it may be altogether impossible to get rid of it.
Egg, Meat, Juice, Gravy
Remove excess with a dull knife and soak it in cold water. Pre-treat the remaining stain and launder it with the appropriate bleach in the hottest water safe for the fabric.
Fabric Softener
Rub the dampened stain with hand soap such as Irish Spring or Ivory, and re-wash in the usual manner.
Formula
Soak the item in warm water and re-wash with the appropriate bleach in the hottest water safe for the fabric.
Fruit / Fruit Juices
Soak the item in cold water; re-launder it with the appropriate bleach in the hottest water safe for fabric.
Grass Stains
Pre-treat stain and launder it with the appropriate bleach in the hottest water safe for the fabric. If stain persists, sponge it with alcohol, rinse thoroughly and re-wash.
Grease / Oil
Pre-treat stain with liquid detergent and rub it into the stain. Launder it with appropriate bleach in the hottest water safe for fabric. If stain persists, sponge the stain with alcohol and re-wash.
Gum
Rub with ice and carefully remove excess gum with a dull knife. Pre-treat the stain and launder it in the hottest water safe for fabric.
Ink / Felt Tip Markers
Rub a household cleaner such as Mr. Clean onto the stain. Rinse and repeat as many times as necessary to remove. Launder it with the appropriate bleach and hottest water safe for fabric.
Ketchup / Tomato Products
Remove excess product with a dull knife and soak the garment in cold water. Pre-treat remaining stain and launder it with appropriate bleach and hottest water safe for fabric.
Mayonnaise, Salad Dressing
Pre-treat stain. Launder with appropriate bleach and hottest water safe for fabric, but do not dryer dry. If stain remains, sponge safe cleaning fluid and re-wash.
Mildew
Pre-treat stain and launder clothing with chlorine bleach and hottest water safe for fabric. Do not dryer dry. If stain remains, sponge with peroxide, rinse and re-wash.
Milk, Cream, Ice Cream
Soak in warm water. Launder it with appropriate bleach and hottest water safe for fabric.
Mud Stains
When dry, brush off as much as possible. Then, rinse it in cold water. Pre-treat the stain, and launder with appropriate bleach and hottest water safe for fabric.
Mustard Stains
Pre-treat the stain; launder it with appropriate bleach and hottest water safe for fabric.
Nail Polish
Place stain face down onto paper towels and sponge it with nail polish remover, until stain disappears. Do not use on acetate and amel fabrics! Rinse thoroughly and launder with appropriate bleach and hottest water safe for fabric.
Paint (Water Based)
Dried paint is almost impossible to remove while the paint is still wet. So rinse it in cool water well. Launder in the hottest water that’s safest for the fabric.
Perfume
Sponge with cold water or soak, then pre-treat the remaining stain and launder it with appropriate bleach and hottest water safe for fabric.
Shoe Polish (Wax)
Launder with appropriate bleach and hottest water safe for fabric. Do not dryer dry. If stain persists, sponge with 1 pt alcohol and 2 pts water. Rinse and re-wash.
Smoke / Soot
Shake to remove loose particles and sort laundry to avoid soil transfer. Use 1 cup conditioner (Calgon, etc.) ½ cup of non-chlorine bleach and detergent as directed, launder in either hot or warm water, and re-wash until removed. Cotton garments may require four to five cycles. Do not dryer dry until finished.)
Tar Stains
Act very quickly before stain is dry! Scrape excess from fabric with a dull knife. Place the stain face down onto paper towel. Sponge the back of the stain with tar remover. Rinse thoroughly and launder in hottest water safe for fabric.
Unknown Stains
Avoid using hot water right away. Pre-treat stain and soak in cold water with detergent. Launder in cold water with detergent. Do not dryer dry it. Check again. If stain still persists, then launder in hot water until removed with appropriate bleach and detergent.
Urine, Vomit, Stool
Scrape off excess and soak in warm water. Pre-treat stain and launder with appropriate bleach and hottest water safe for fabric.
Vegetable Oil, Bacon Grease
Treat with Goo-Gone or liquid detergent. Rub into stained area and rinse out. Launder with hottest water safe for the fabric.