Oil-based stains
Stains caused by automotive oil, hair oil, bacon fat, hand lotion, butter, margarine, lard, car door grease, mayonnaise, skin oil (like on shirt collars and cuffs), salad dressing, cooking fats, suntan oil or lotion, creams, etc.
Pre-treat the stain by applying the undiluted heavy-duty detergent directly to the stain before washing. Other pre-treatment options include using a petroleum-based aerosol solvent or making a paste of powdered soap and water. Wash as usual in hot water using heavy-duty detergents (Fab, Tide, Wisk are good options).
Dye stains
Stains caused by cherries, blueberries, color bleeding from wax (so called “dye transfer process”, including wax stains from candles), felt-tip pen, grass, mustard, tempera paint, etc.
First check the washing instructions of the fabric to ensure that the item can be bleached. Pre- treat the stain with heavy-duty liquid detergent and then soak the item in a chlorine and water solution. If the stain does not disappear within the first 15 minutes, it cannot be removed by bleaching.
Important:
Test the chlorine water solution on an inconspicuous area to see how the fabric reacts before applying it to the stained area. Once you have determined that the fabric reacts fine to bleach, apply bleach to the entire fabric (not only the stain) because the bleach may cause colors to change slightly.
Combination stains
Combination stains are defined as the ones created by a variety of the above-mentioned staining elements. Usually this type of stain has both an oil-based component and a dye-based component, so you have to use two separate stain removal methods.
First remove the oily/waxy component and then remove the dye portion of the stain with bleach if the fabric allows (try a bleach for colors first. Use a chlorine bleach only if required).
To remove the oily component of the stain, first apply dry cleaning solvent (available at most drug stores and supermarkets). Before washing, rub the stain with heavy-duty liquid detergent for the following stains: ball-point ink, candle wax, carbon paper, crayon, make-up, floor wax, furniture polish, lipstick, pine resin, shoe polish, tar, barbecue sauce, tomato sauce, cocoa, chocolate, gravy, hair spray. Wash as usual with warm water.
