Tips for stain removal
STAIN REMOVAL - next level
Always try to remove the stain with one of our solutions. But sometimes you need to step it up a notch. If the stain is tough and doesn't give way - or if you suspect from the beginning that it's not organic and won't work - here are some tips from our textile experts and friends Ane and Karin at @textilklok:
Stains with protein substances, e.g., blood, meat, egg, and milk: Start with cold water.
Blood: Soak in cold water. Enzyme detergent should be used to dissolve the remaining stain, a regular laundry detergent. Remember not to wash entire silk or wool garments with just any enzyme detergent, as protease enzymes can damage wool and silk fibers.
Pollen: T-röd (product name).
Grease: Soap or dish detergent left to act for a while.
Fruit stains: Dip in boiling water. Dab with ½ tsp citric acid dissolved in 1 dl water.
Grass: T-röd (product name). Then dab with ammonia soap water.
Yellow stains and streaks on cotton and linen that develop over time: Remove with plenty of cold water in stages.
Coffee: Soap, ammonia, and hot water.
Coffee with milk: Start with cold water.
Ballpoint and ink pens: T-röd (product name) followed by ammonia soap water.
Lipstick: T-röd (product name).
Foundation and other makeup: Something grease-dissolving like gall soap or machine dish detergent.
Mold stains: Tough! Let it sit in slightly soured milk for a day, an old trick we haven't tested. Treat with ammonia solution. If stains persist, try an environmentally friendly bleach. NEVER chlorine bleach.
Oil: White spirit and then ammonia soap water.
Rust: Concentrated citric acid or tartaric acid.
Candle wax: Mechanical removal followed by ammonia soap water (for pure candle wax). Otherwise, iron and blotting paper.
Sweat stains: Moisten the stain and treat with ammonia. If the stain doesn't disappear, treat with vinegar. Sweat can be either acidic or alkaline.
Wine: For absorption, use potato starch (not salt). For stain removal, use hot water, warm milk, gall soap, or another stain soap.
Rinse in lukewarm water after each stain removal attempt with any of the substances on the list.