Home remedies for stubborn stains
In the blog about stubborn stains (LINK) you will find tips on how to get your clothes clean again. They are a good guide that you can follow. Bile soap is a tried and tested household remedy in many cases, but depending on the type of stain and the fibers, certain natural remedies help better than others.
Basically, the most powerful household remedies are vinegar, citric acid and baking soda - used correctly, they make most stains disappear.
Grass stains
It's quick and the child's shirt is covered in grass stains. An unusual household remedy helps against fresh grass stains on white textiles. Leave the clothes to soak in milk overnight, then rinse them in the morning and wash them in the washing machine as normal.
Lemon juice is an excellent choice for robust fabrics such as jeans. To do this, simply squeeze a fresh lemon and leave the juice to work for about 30 minutes - do not moisten the stain with water beforehand. Immediately after soaking, you should wash the fabric in the washing machine at high temperatures. The care label tells you the maximum temperature the clothing can withstand.
No fresh lemon at home? Vinegar is also suitable for light-colored and non-sensitive fabrics. Put some vinegar on the stain and massage it in gently. 15 minutes later, put the garment in the washing machine.
If these home remedies are not enough to remove the stain completely, the sun can help. Thanks to the bleaching UV rays, the last shadow disappears when you hang your clothes outside damp. This tip also helps with pumpkin seed oil, the color of which otherwise remains in the fabric.
Red wine stains
The classic among the troublesome stains are those of red wine. You often don't have the opportunity to take the first measures at dinner in a restaurant. This ensures that the stain penetrates deep into the fibers. Lemon juice or vinegar will help you win the battle against dried-on stains. The reason for this is the acid, which dissolves paint particles: dab the home remedy onto the stain with a cloth and leave it to work for 15 minutes. Then dab again with a paper towel, spray with cold water and dab one last time.
For fresh red wine stains, carbonated mineral water is a tried and tested means of washing them out. Salt is suitable for soaking up more delicate items of clothing as it is less aggressive. This does not apply to fibers such as silk or wool.
Blood stains
Wash out blood stains immediately with cold water, they will disappear quickly. Dried blood, on the other hand, requires more effort: soak the fabric in cold water and sprinkle the stain with baking powder or baking soda. After a few hours, wash the fabric as normal.
This method is also suitable for blood stains on the mattress. After the baking soda and water mixture has worked, wipe it off with kitchen paper and simply remove the residue with cold water.
Stains from liquids containing protein
Egg white coagulates at temperatures above 40 °C, which is why stains containing egg white must never be washed out warm. These include stains from latte, ice cream, blood or whipped cream.
Fat stains
Fat is not soluble in water, which makes the use of emulsifiers necessary. These surfactants are contained, for example, in gall soap or vegan curd soap. For fresh grease stains, a little baking soda helps to soak up the liquid.
Yellow deodorant stains and sweat stains
Yellow deodorant stains are particularly stubborn. The magic remedy citric acid helps with white textiles: Dissolve ten grams of the powder in one liter of water and leave the affected item of clothing to soak for 24 hours. Then rinse and wash as warm as possible.
When handling citric acid, you should wear gloves to protect your skin. Due to the bleaching effect of citric acid, additional care is required with colored textiles. Therefore, first test on an inconspicuous area to ensure that the color does not fade.
A lye solution made from baking soda (two sachets) and water combats sweat stains and yellowing - simply soak in it and wash out.
Stains on delicate textiles
Not every fiber can withstand citric acid, vinegar and co. With delicate natural fibers such as silk or wool, you should proceed carefully so as not to destroy the fabric. Pure alcohol from the pharmacy is the right choice. Wet a cloth with it and dab the stain until it has disappeared.
A less well-known agent is meerschaum powder, which consists of magnesium silicate. You can find it in drugstores or pharmacies. Meerschaum powder also combats grease stains on silk or wool. Sprinkle a good amount on the stain, gently pat in and leave for five to ten minutes. Then dab and wash. Repeat this method until the stain is no longer visible.
For sensitive fibers, you should proceed with caution and always test on inconspicuous areas first. If in doubt, it is better to take particularly expensive pieces to a specialist.