Make Laundry Easier with These

Laundry Tips & Tricks

Mustering up the energy to do laundry can be tough. You shouldn’t have to face tough stains, too! Use these tips to breeze your way to clean clothes.

The Three P's of Stain Removal

Most stains can eventually be removed by following these procedures. However, some stains are stubborn and may only be lightened.

01

Promptness

Treat stains as quickly as possible before laundering. Age and washing prior to retreating can set some stains.

02

Patience

If the garment is worth saving, it's worth extra effort and time to follow stain removal procedures.

03

Persistence

Because some stains are difficult to remove, it may be necessary to repeat a procedure several times.

Safety First

Any material which has been used with cleaning solvents – or is saturated with flammable liquids, solids, vegetable oil or animal fats – should not be placed in the washer or dryer until all traces of the stain and fumes have been removed. These highly flammable stains can cause fires when the residue coexists with heat generated in the laundering process.


Do not mix or combine stain removal products, especially ammonia and chlorine bleach; noxious fumes may result.


Read instructions on all stain removal products and keep them out of children's reach.

Successful Stain Remover

The following procedures apply only to washable items - not items that are to be dry-cleaned.

Some stains are not easily seen when the fabric is wet. Air dry items to be sure that the stain has been removed. Machine drying might set the stain permanently. 

Work on stains from the reverse side to prevent them from spreading.

  • Soaking

    Soaking garments with either laundry detergent or a special presoak product (Biz, Clorox 2 or Snowy*) will aid stain removal. Soak protein stains (blood, grass or egg) in cold water. Soak oily stains in warm water. 30 minutes or less should be sufficient.


    *Product names are trademarks of the respective manufacturers.

  • Pretreating

    Use a liquid laundry detergent, a paste of granular detergent and water or a special pretreat product (Clorox Spray Out, Spray & Wash or Shout*). Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.


    *Product names are trademarks of the respective manufacturers.

  • Cleaning Fluid

    Brand names include Carbona, Energine, De-Solv-It and Whink Wash Away*. Use carefully and follow manufacturer’s instructions. After applying, rinse thoroughly before laundering.


    *Product names are trademarks of the respective manufacturers.

  • Bleach

    Chlorine – Identify by the word “hypochlorite.” This type of bleach may be used on all fabrics except silk, wool, spandex and non-colorfast fabrics. Follow manufacturer’s instructions.


    Non-chlorine – Identify by the words “all-fabric.” This type of bleach may be used on all fabrics and colors. Follow the instructions on the label. To achieve maximum effectiveness, use regularly in warm or hot water with an extended soak or wash time.


    *Product names are trademarks of the respective manufacturers.

  • Detergent

    Granular detergents work best on mud and clay types of soil and are more effective in hard water. Liquids are good for cold water washing, pretreating and removing greasy, oily stains. Some detergents contain enzymes or bleach to provide additional stain removal benefits (this will be indicated on the label).

  • Baby Formula

    Baby Formula Soak in warm water. Launder in hottest water safe for fabric. Use appropriate bleach. If a grease stain remains, soak in warm water with a pretreat product. Rinse thoroughly and relaunder.

    *Product names are trademarks of the respective manufacturers.

  • Blood

    Blood Soak in cold water. Pretreat remaining stain. Launder in hottest water safe for fabric. Use appropriate bleach. If stain persists, soak in warm water with presoak product.

  • Candle Wax

    Rub with ice and carefully scrape off excess wax with a dull knife. Place between several layers of paper towels and press with a warm iron. To remove remaining stain, use a pretreat product. Rinse. If colored stain remains, launder in hottest water safe for fabric. Use appropriate bleach.

  • Catsup / Tomato Products

    Scrape off excess with a dull knife. Soak in cold water. Pretreat remaining stain. Launder using hottest water safe for fabric. Use appropriate bleach.

  • Cosmetics

    Pretreat stain and launder in hottest water safe for fabric. Use chlorine bleach if safe for fabric. If a grease stain remains, soak in warm water with a pretreat product. Rinse thoroughly and relaunder.

  • Crayon

    Place stained surface down on a pad of paper towels. Spray with WD-40* (available at hardware stores) and let stand for a few minutes. Turn fabric and spray the other side, let stand. Apply liquid hand dishwashing detergent and work into stain until removed. Use a paper towel to absorb the stain. Hand wash the item in detergent thoroughly, making sure the WD-40 odor is removed. Launder as usual.

  • Deodorant

    Pretreat stain and launder in hottest water safe for fabric. Use appropriate bleach. If fabric is discolored, try to restore it by treating fresh stains with ammonia or old stains with vinegar. Rinse thoroughly and relaunder.

  • Dye Transfer

    Dye transfer may be impossible to remove. If clothes are still wet, immediately spray with Spray & Wash*. Relaunder in warm water. If items are dry, launder with chlorine bleach if safe for fabric. If not safe, use non-chlorine bleach or a commercial color remover according to package directions.

  • Egg

    Scrape off excess with a dull knife. Soak in cold water. Pretreat remaining stain. Launder using hottest water safe for fabric. Use appropriate bleach.

  • Fabric Softener

    Rub the dampened stain with bar soap (such as Ivory*) and relaunder.

  • Fruit / Fruit Juice

    Sponge promptly with cold water or soak in cold water. Pretreat remaining stain. Launder with appropriate bleach and hottest water safe for fabric.

  • Grass

    Pretreat stain and launder in hottest water safe for fabric. Use chlorine bleach if safe for fabric. If a grease stain remains, soak in warm water with a pretreat product. Rinse thoroughly and relaunder.

  • Grease

    Pretreat stain and launder in hottest water safe for fabric. Use chlorine bleach if safe for fabric. If a grease stain remains, soak in warm water with a pretreat product. Rinse thoroughly and relaunder.

  • Gum

    Rub stained area with ice. Remove excess gum carefully with a dull knife. Use a pretreat product. Rinse. Launder using hottest water safe for fabric.

  • Ice Cream

    Soak in warm water. Launder in hottest water safe for fabric. Use appropriate bleach. If a grease stain remains, soak in warm water with a pretreat product. Rinse thoroughly and relaunder.

  • Ink / Ballpoint

    Sponge stain with rubbing alcohol, or spray with pretreat product or hair spray until wet looking. Rinse thoroughly. Pretreat stain and launder in hottest water safe for fabric. Use appropriate bleach.

  • Ink / Felt Tip

    Rub household cleaner such as Fantastik or Mr. Clean* into stain. Rinse as many times as necessary to remove stain. Launder in hottest water safe for fabric. Use appropriate bleach. May be impossible to remove.

  • Mayonnaise

    Pretreat stain and launder in hottest water safe for fabric. Use chlorine bleach if safe for fabric. If a grease stain remains, soak in warm water with a pretreat product. Rinse thoroughly and relaunder.

  • Mustard

    Baby Formula Soak in warm water. Launder in hottest water safe for fabric. Use appropriate bleach. If a grease stain remains, soak in warm water with a pretreat product. Rinse thoroughly and relaunder.

  • Meat Juice / Gravy

    Scrape off excess with a dull knife. Soak in cold water. Pretreat remaining stain. Launder using hottest water safe for fabric. Use appropriate bleach.

  • Mildew

    Pretreat stain and launder in hottest water safe for fabric. Use appropriate bleach. If stain remains, sponge with hydrogen peroxide (available at drugstores). Rinse thoroughly and relaunder.

  • Milk / Cream

    Soak in warm water. Launder in hottest water safe for fabric. Use appropriate bleach. If a grease stain remains, soak in warm water with a pretreat product. Rinse thoroughly and relaunder.

  • Mud

    Scrape off excess with a dull knife. Soak in cold water. Pretreat remaining stain. Launder using hottest water safe for fabric. Use appropriate bleach.

  • Nail Polish

    Place stain face down on paper towels. Sponge with nail polish remover until stain disappears. Rinse thoroughly. Launder in hottest water safe for fabric. (Do not use nail polish remover on acetate or Arnel fabrics. Send them to a drycleaner.)

  • Pencil Lead

    Pretreat stain and launder in hottest water safe for fabric. Use chlorine bleach if safe for fabric. If a grease stain remains, soak in warm water with a pretreat product. Rinse thoroughly and relaunder.

  • Perfume

    Sponge promptly with cold water or soak in cold water. Pretreat remaining stain. Launder with appropriate bleach and hottest water safe for fabric.

  • Rust

    Launder with a rust remover. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use. Do not use chlorine bleach as this will intensify the stain.

  • Salad Dressing

    Pretreat stain and launder in hottest water safe for fabric. Use chlorine bleach if safe for fabric. If a grease stain remains, soak in warm water with a pretreat product. Rinse thoroughly and relaunder.

  • Shoe Polish (Wax)

    Scrape off excess with a dull knife. Pretreat stain and launder in hottest water safe for fabric. Use appropriate bleach. If stain persists, sponge with one part alcohol and two parts water. Rinse thoroughly and relaunder.

  • Smoke / Soot

    Shake to remove loose particles. Sort by amount of soil to avoid transfer onto lighter soiled items. Use 1 cup water conditioner (Calgon, Axion, etc*), 1/2 cup non–chlorine bleach and recommended amount of detergent as directed on the package. Wash in warm or hot water. Relaunder until removed. Cotton items may require 4–5 washes. (Do not dry in a dryer between washes.)

  • Stool

    Scrape to remove solids. Soak in warm water. Pretreat stain and launder in hottest water safe for fabric. Use appropriate bleach.

  • Tar

    Act quickly before stain is dry. Scrape excess from fabric with a dull knife. Place stain face down on paper towels. Sponge back of stain with a tar remover. Rinse thoroughly. Launder in hottest water safe for fabric.

  • Unknown Stain

    Avoid using hot water right away. Pretreat the stain and soak in cold water. Launder in cold water with detergent. If stain is not removed, relaunder in warm water. If stain is still not removed, then launder in hot water.

  • Urine

    Soak in warm water. Pretreat stain and launder in hottest water safe for fabric. Use appropriate bleach.

  • Vomit

    Scrape to remove solids. Soak in warm water. Pretreat stain and launder in hottest water safe for fabric. Use appropriate bleach.

  • Water-Based Paint

    Rinse fabric in cool water to flush out paint while stains are still wet. Launder in hottest water safe for fabric. Dried paint is very hard to remove. However, there are commercial products that may remove such stains. Follow package directions.