Seeing a large stain on your new (or newly washed) white cloth is frustrating. Unfortunately, stains are usually very obvious on white clothes. And, since it’s impossible to seal them up, you have to get rid of them. You can use different ways to get food stains or any stains out of your white clothes.
How to Get Stains Out of White Clothes
Even though there’s never a guarantee with stains, especially on white clothes, one of these ways should do the magic for you.
1. Apply Stain Remover Before Machine Washing
Below are the steps to follow:
- Identify the cause of the stain.
First, find out what caused the stain to appear on the cloth in the first place. That will be you tackling the root cause of the problem. Next, check if it is a non-oily or oily stain. It’s essential to figure this out because it influences what your first step will be.
However, most chemical stain removers are designed to work on all kinds of stains. But, determining whether it is a non-oily or oily stain is majorly to direct your immediate action. The third method highlights the tips for which homemade stain removers work best for specific stains.
- Do not use water if it’s an oily stain.
Avoid washing or rinsing it with cold water if it’s an oily stain caused by lipstick, grease, mascara, or food rich in butter and oil. The reason is that pul repels water, so any water that comes into contact with the stain could contribute to making it stronger. Instead, you should dab the area with a dry paper towel.
- Rinse with cold water if it is not an oily stain
Non-oily stains on white clothes could be from toothpaste, sweat, non-oily food, makeup, or blood. So, if it is from any of these sources, the initial thing to do will be to dab off any excess stain and then rinse it in cold water.
Holding the cloth under a running tap so that the water hits the back of the stain can help rinse it from behind. Note that holding the stained side of the cloth to face the running water directly could press the stain further into the fabric.
- Apply stain remover on the fabric
You can purchase stain remover liquids, powders, and sprays from your local store. There will most likely be quite a variety of products available, so it’ll be in your best interest to look for the one designed to remove stains on white clothes.
Then, go ahead with stain removal liquid or powder on the stain according to the instructions on the packaging. Some products will recommend you apply it to the edges of the stain, others at the heart of the stain. Generally, you won’t need to apply a large amount for a small stain.
- Put it in your washing machine.
After applying the stain remover, place the cloth in your washing machine and wash it as you would normally. Ensure you read the instructions carefully before washing to know whether the product recommends a certain temperature.
2. Apply a Hydrogen Peroxide Cleaning Solution
Applying hydrogen peroxide is another way to get stains out of white clothes. See the steps to follow:
- Get hydrogen peroxide and dishwashing liquid
Dishwashing liquid and hydrogen peroxide are among the most effective homemade stain removers. The procedure for preparing the solution is easy. First, pour ¾% of hydrogen peroxide and one part of the dishwashing liquid into a bucket.
The portions of the two ingredients will depend on how much you want the cleaning solution to be. You can use it for normal dirt and food stains, including greasy and oily stains. This cleaning solution can work on clothing fabrics, cotton, and canvas. Do not use it on wool or silk.
- Mix the liquid
Mix the solution in the bucket and pour it into a clean empty spray bottle. Pour the liquid into the bottle carefully. You could use a funnel, especially if you’re pouring it out of a large bucket.
- Do a spot test
Since this stain remover is made using chemicals, it’s best that you do a spot test before applying it to your fabric. A spot test means testing a very small amount of your solution on a discreet part of the fabric. This process confirms whether stain remover will discolor or damage the material. This solution should be safe for all colors, but do a spot test for a safe side.
- Spray the cleaning solution onto the stain
Tighten the lid of the spray bottle, and test it by spraying the solution into the sink. If it’s okay, spray the solution directly onto stains or stains. Apply it liberally to the stain and leave it to soak for a few minutes or longer, depending on your patient. Then, rinse it off with cold water. If the stains still appear, repeat the process.
- Soak it with larger or stubborn stains
If you have larger stains that wouldn’t be tackled best with a spray bottle, you can maximize this method to suit your needs. First, dilute the cleaning solution and use it to soak a larger garment. Do this by adding a small amount of the dishwashing liquid and hydrogen peroxide to a bucket of hot water.
Put your clothes in the liquid and allow them to soak. Then, rinse it off, and repeat if necessary. You could gently rub the affected area while still soaking to loosen the stain.
3. Apply Natural Ingredients
You can tackle stains on white clothes using natural ingredients by following the steps below:
- Use baking soda
The chemicals in stain removal products bought from the store are very effective but can irritate the skin, and some people might prefer a more natural alternative. Baking soda is one of the most reliable stain removers.
It is well-known as a product that can be grabbed if it spills. To use, make a paste of it with some water and gently apply it to the stained area. Allow sinking in. Also, you can combine it with distilled white wine vinegar for faster results.
- Use lemon juice
Lemon juice is an effective way to tackle unpleasant sweat stains on your white shirts and t-shirts, especially under the armpits. To Use, mix a solution in equal parts water and lemon juice. Then, rub it on the affected area of your cloth.
Lemon juice and salt work best in removing rust stains and mildew on white clothes. More so, adding some lemon juice to a whitewash will refresh the clothes.
- Use white wine
One of the worst stains on your white clothes is red wine. But, on the brighter side, you can spill more wine (white wine) on it to get rid of the stain. Pour a little portion of white wine on the stain, and it will cause the red wine stain to disappear.
Gently dab the edges of the stain using a kitchen towel to prevent it from spreading. Note that the white wine won’t make the stain disappear totally, but it’ll help it come out during a normal wash.
- Use white chalk (for oily stain)
Oil stains are difficult to remove since water can worsen the problem. One of the natural methods to get oily stains out of clothes is to use white chalk. Rub some white chalk onto the fabric without being too rough.
By doing this, the chalk will absorb the clothes. Then, dust off the excess chalk before washing the cloth. Ensure you wash with cold water, and don’t put it in the dryer, as it’ll likely cause the oil to set.