Let’s face it – no matter how hard we try, our clothing gets stained from time to time – especially if we’re prone to wearing lighter colors, or if we have children or pets. Now, some stains are easier to remove than others, and some are more common than others. So, we'll go over the most common stubborn stains, along with the best way to remove them. Keep in mind that this is general information, as it can also depend on the fabric of the clothing, which may come with special cleaning instructions.
#5: Grass Stains
Grass stains are more common among kids who spend more time outside, playing in the grass. But, that doesn’t mean that we’re immune to them. A quick slip outside, or a day spent doing lots of yardwork, can leave our clothes smeared with green. The same goes for anyone who is athletic and plays sports outdoors.
Luckily, grass stains aren’t the end of the world, in most cases. Just apply a stain remover directly to the grass stain, let it sit for about 20 minutes and handwash the clothing in cold water. You can also apply a 1:1 white vinegar to water solution to the stain and follow the same steps as above afterward.
#4: Blood Stains
Blood stains are a tough one, since the proteins in blood are uniquely good at bonding with the fibers in your materials. And, you may instinctively run over and run the stain under hot water with soap, not realizing that the hot water is effectively setting the stain to make it permanent, by baking the protein into the fiber so it can never be removed.
First, run the stain under cold water with no other cleaning products. This should dull the color by quite a bit, which is a very effective first step. Now, use an enzyme-based stain remover, or baking soda, as either will break down the blood proteins so that they dissolve away. Only place the garment in the dryer after you’re positive the blood stain is fully gone, as otherwise, you’re going to make the remnants of the stain permanent.
#3: Red Wine Stains
No matter how careful we try to be, red wine stains are not completely unavoidable. And, we all know that feeling of panic when red wine lands on a light-colored fabric. But, the good news is that there’s a process to removing the stain that’s practically foolproof.
First, throw a handful of salt onto the garment. The salt will soak up most of the pigment in the wine, leaving behind a pink stain once the salt is rinsed away. Now, you can soak the garment in cold water with an enzyme-based stain remover or baking soda, which will break down what remains of the stain.
#2: Mustard Stains
There’s nothing like eating a hotdog or sandwich with mustard, until that mustard spills out and onto our clothes. Mustard stains are extremely stubborn, but only if they’re not dealt with in the right way. A mustard stain doesn’t need to be permanent.
First, use a dull knife to scrape away the excess mustard. Then, rinse the material under cold water, and dab laundry detergent directly onto the stain. Let it sit for 10 minutes, and then rinse it in cold water. Repeat if necessary until the stain is gone.
#1: Permanent Marker
The good news about a permanent marker stain is that it’s not actually permanent. To remove this type of stain from clothing, you’ll need an eco-friendly ink solvent made for permanent marker, which can be found online. This type of solution breaks up the compounds in the ink. Apply it as directed, and then use a bristled brush like a toothbrush to remove what’s left of the stain, followed by a soak in cold water.
These Stains are Tough, But Not Impossible to Remove!
Thankfully, even the most stubborn stains can be completely dealt with so that you don’t have to give up your favorite clothing items. Try these methods above the next time you run into a stain disaster, and you’ll be surprised by how your clothes look like new.
Also, don’t forget to pick up Grab Green 3 in 1 Laundry Detergent Pods, Grab Green 3 in 1 Laundry Detergent Powder, Grab Green Bleach Alternative Pods, and/or Stoneworks Laundry Detergent Pods, in order to really get those common stains off your clothing.