 If you've spilled something on your favourite top and think you've ruined it, don't despair! You might be able to save it yet. Here's our guide to stain removal.
Take a look at our guide to removing food stains.
What to use
These everyday household products can all be used to get rid of stains:
| Bleach |
White spirit |
Methylated spirit |
Flour |
Lemon juice |
| Natural soap |
Ammonia |
Carbonated water |
Talc |
Acetone |
| Oxygenated water |
Blotting paper |
Onion |
Ether |
Rubber |
| Washing powder/liquid with whitening agents |
White vinegar |
Sponge |
Salt |
Cornflour |
| Sunflower oil |
Mineral water |
Potato |
Milk |
Mustard |
| Bicarbonate of soda |
Soda powder |
Toothpaste |
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Tips
1. The older the stain, the tougher it is to remove. Act fast!
2. For those irritating stains you don't know where they've come from, start by blotting with cold water. If the stain doesn’t disappear, dry it and use a damp cloth soaked in turpentine or benzine. To be extra careful, place absorbant paper beneath the fabric.
3. To get rid of ring stains, place the fabric above steam.
4. For old stains on white fabric, use oxygenated water or bleach.
5. The toughest stains can be removed with a cup of water mixed with two spoons of bicarbonate of soda.
6. You can get a professional (try your dry cleaner) to try removing any stains you can't get rid of!
7. For white fabric, rub the stain with a toothbrush and white toothpaste. When handwashing, use hot water on sweet stains and cold water on blood, milk and savoury stains.
Take extra care when using bleach
If you somehow manage to get bleach on your clothes, act quickly! Soak with a few drops of oxygenated water or pure ammonia, wait a few minutes then rinse with clean water.
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How to remove stains
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