There are many reasons furniture makers apply the wood stain as the final step in furniture making. It adds color to the furniture, taking them from drab and plain to gorgeous and attractive.
Wood stains also have protective properties.
The ultraviolet rays of sunlight affect wood, causing it to lose color, and termites feast on wood shavings destroying furniture.
Wood stain prevents both occurrences from happening.
As astounding as the wood stain is to furniture, it is a headache to your clothing. People who handle wood stains daily wear protective clothing, and still, they can get wood stains on their clothes.
Steps to Get Wood Stain Out of Clothes
Don’t be demoralized if you get wood stain on your clothes, whether you’re a furniture maker or come into contact with wet furniture at the showroom.
There are some things you should consider before trying to remove the wood stains.
Check the Fabric
The first thing you should do when you want to remove wood stain from clothes is to check the care label of the stained clothes. Ignoring the clothes’ wash instructions can damage them while removing stains.
The clothes’ care instructions might coincide with the stain removal process.
Additionally, perform a patch test on an innocuous part of your clothes to ensure the stain remover doesn’t damage the clothes.
Some clothes might be dry clean only. If this is the case, don’t attempt to remove the stains on your own.
Type of Wood Stain
The type of wood stain is a crucial factor to consider when removing stains. They determine the degree of staining and how you remove the stains.
Wood stains are either water-based or oil-based.
Water-based wood stain is easier to remove, requiring minimal effort and causing small-scale damage to the clothes.
Oil-based wood stain is dogged and almost irreversible, but a powerful stain removal agent can successfully remove them.
Whether water-based or oil-based, the stains are easier to remove when still wet. Dry wood stain is irreparable to an extent. Many beloved clothes become rags as a result of dry wood stain.
Don’t Waste Time
As previously stated, dry wood stain are almost irreparable. When you get wood stain on your clothes or notice it, hurry and begin the stain removal process.
Wet stains take little effort to remove. If you delay before removing the wood stain, it will dry and set in the fabric, causing permanent discoloration.
5 Ways to Get Wood Stain Out of Clothes
There are several proven methods of removing wood stain from clothes. However, two techniques stand out from the rest: mineral spirits and acetone.
Mineral Spirits
Mineral spirit is a paint thinner that is amazing at removing an oil-based wood stain. This stain remover will get into the fabric and loosen the wood stain from the clothes, making the clothes stain-free after washing.
Mineral spirits are also suitable for dealing with dry stains.
Procedure:
- Put on protective gloves before you start the treatment.
- Arrange a stack of paper towels on a flat surface to create an absorbable surface.
- Place the stained clothes on the paper towels with the stain side directly on the paper towels.
- Pour a generous amount of mineral spirit on the back of the stain.
- Soak a clean white cotton towel with mineral spirit and gently massage the back of the stains to push the wood stain onto the paper towel
- Move the stained clothes to another clean part of the paper towel. Replace the paper towel if they become too wet.
- Continue this process until there are no more stains.
- When you see there are no stains, place the clothes in the washer and wash them with heavy-duty laundry detergent.
Acetone
Acetone is the primary ingredient in nail polish remover, so it makes sense that it can remove wood stain also. It is a great stain remover suitable for water-based wood stain. You can use pure acetone or nail polish remover for this method.
Perform a patch test before use to prevent damage to the clothes.
- Put on protective gloves and arrange a thick stack of paper towels on a flat surface to create an absorbable surface.
- Place the stained clothes on the paper towels with the stain side directly on the paper towels.
- Pour a cap full of acetone on the back of the stain.
- Dip a clean cloth into the acetone and start scrubbing at the stain. Start from the outer parts of the wood stain and work your way inside.
- Move the stained clothes to another clean part of the paper towel. Replace the paper towel if they become too wet.
- When you see there are no more stains, place the clothes in the washer and wash them with heavy-duty laundry detergent.
Stain Removal Pen
A stain removal pen is a compact solution for small-sized wood stain. You can try to use it on broad stains, but it will take a while and a lot of pens.
Perform a patch test on the stained clothes to see if the fabric agrees with the stain remover pen.
Procedure:
- Wear protective gloves as the wood stain can cause skin irritation and other damage.
- Lay the stained clothes on a flat surface to give the clothes good support.
- Blot the excess stain with a paper towel.
- Press the stain removal pen to the stain and press till the substance comes. Apply your preferred quantity and use the pen to spread the solvent back and forth for a minute.
- Gently scrub the stained area with a soft brush for three to five minutes until there are no visible stains.
- When there are no stains, place the clothes in the washer with a suitable laundry detergent.
OxiClean
OxiClean is a powerful stain removal agent capable of removing the toughest stains. It is a better alternative to bleach that doesn’t cause damage to the clothes.
Make sure you use the correct OxiClean to treat the stains based on the color of the stained clothes.
Procedure:
- Wear protective gloves before you start, to protect your hands from the wood stain.
- Blot out the extra stains on the clothes with a paper towel or a clean white cotton towel.
- Mix ¾ cup of OxiClean with one cup of water and form a paste.
- Apply the paste to the stains and work it in for two minutes.
- Leave the mixture to sit for 15 minutes and then gently scrub for a few minutes.
- When there are no more stains, place the clothes in the washer with a suitable laundry detergent.
Hydrogen Peroxide and Dishwashing Liquid
Hydrogen Peroxide is a powerful stain remover, but when paired with dishwashing liquid, it creates a mixture capable of effortlessly removing wood stains from clothes.
Procedure:
- Wear protective gloves before you start removing the wood stain.
- Prepare the stain removal mixture by combining 2-parts hydrogen peroxide with 1-part dishwashing liquid. Mix thoroughly to form a homogenous solution.
- Place the stained clothes on a flat surface to bring the stains to view.
- Pour the solution onto the stains and leave to soak for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Afterward, gently scrub the stained area with a soft brush or a clean white cotton towel.
- Rinse the stains with warm water.
- Repeat this process if there are still stains.
- After removing the stains, place the clothes in the washer with a suitable laundry detergent.