How To Remove Stubborn Stains After Washing

How do I remove a stubborn encrusted stain that hasn't been washed away? It is well known that it is better to clean a stain before putting a piece of clothing or laundry in the machine. But sometimes we forget or we lack time. And when the stain seems ingrained after the machine wash we do not know what is the right technique to make it go away. Moreover, if you use the wrong product, you risk to encrust it more and worse to discolour the fabric. Discover all our tips to clean these stains without any problem.

Removing ink, grease or blood stains on a fabric that has already been washed

The first thing to do is to soak the garment or linen entirely or partially in warm or hot water, without any product.
Then when the stain is well soaked, whether it is a stain of ink, blood, grass or grease, which are the most stubborn, here are several solutions to remove it:

Ink stain on a white cloth or large stain pour on the stain

1 - Hydrogen peroxide

2 - Hexomedine

Scrub, wash, rinse.

3 - White vinegar

then rub.
If this is not enough, rinse again and then pour in the water.

Ink stain on a fragile or printed fabric

-Vinegar water

Soak the stain thoroughly with vinegar water (half warm water, half white vinegar).
Blot it with a sheet of paper towel.
Repeat until the ink is diluted even slightly.

-Alcohol or lemon

Then treat it as a recent ink stain, i.e. by dabbing it with a cloth soaked in either lemon juice or 70 % alcohol.
Repeat until the stain disappears completely.

Blood stain on a white or dark-colored fabric

-Soda crystals

Remove the cloth or garment from the water, then sprinkle the stained and wetted area with a small amount of soda crystals.
Scrub.
Let it work for a few minutes.
Scrub again.
Rinse.
Repeat if the laundry is still stained.

Blood stain on fragile or printed fabric

Clean the stain by dabbing with a cloth impregnated with one of these products :

- Essence of turpentine

Don't forget to test the stain remover on a hem or the inside of a pocket)
Wash or rinse.

- Ammonia

Hands protected by household gloves, remove stains by dabbing with a cloth soaked in ammonia.
Ammonia, which is effective in removing the most stubborn stains, gives off harmful fumes.
When using it, put on household gloves, operate in a well-ventilated room, do not smoke, and do not hesitate to wear a small cloth or paper mask.

Wine stain on a cloth

Take out the cloth or garment with water and soak the area still wet with :

- Pure vinegar

If this is not enough to remove the stain, pour on the stain:

- Household alcohol

Scrub. Rinse.

And if the stain does not disappear, use :

- Ammonia

Ammonia, which is very effective in removing the most resistant wine or blood stains, gives off harmful vapours.
Use it only with household gloves, operating in a very ventilated room, without breathing it, without smoking.
Do not hesitate to wear a small cloth or paper mask.

Fat stain (oil or sauce) on all kinds of fabrics

Take the laundry out of the water and rub the stained area vigorously with water:

- Savon de Marseille soap

So as to form a kind of crust. Leave the soap to work for at least ¼ an hour, then emulsify and rinse.
If this is not enough, rinse again and then, directly on the wet stain, pour the soap into a bowl.

Fat stain on a white cloth

- Soda crystals.

Dilute a tablespoon of crystals in a teacup of hot water.
Soak the stain with this solution.
Scrub.
Let it work for a few minutes.
Scrub again.
Rinse.
Repeat if stain is still present. Soda crystals, not to be confused with soda, is an excellent stain remover.

Grass stain on all kinds of fabrics

Take the garment out, wring it out, then pour over the stained area of

- Alcohol at 70°.

Rinse.
Repeat until the stain disappears.