Tips & Tools

TREATMENT FOR AXLE GREASE, OIL, AND TAR STAINS

1. Scrape off as much of the substance as possible.
2. If washable, rub detergent into stain.
3. Rinse with hot water.
4. Launder as usual.

If non-washable, or if washables still have stains after washing:
sponge with dry cleaning fluid

Treat with chlorine bleach if yellow stain remains.

Cleaning Method = Wet Clean

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TREATMENT FOR BLOOD STAINS

Washables:

1. Soak in cold water until stain fades.
2. Wash with warm water and detergent.
3. Use bleach if necessary

Note: For older stubborn blood stains, apply a few drops of ammonia and rewash.

Non-Washable:

1. Sponge with cool water.
2. Sponge with hydrogen peroxide to remove final traces.

Note: If blood stains have been set by heat, try warm solution of trisodium phosphate and water.

Cleaning Method = Wet Clean

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TREATMENT FOR CANDLE WAX AND PARRAFIN STAINS

1. Scrape off as much wax as possible with a dull knife.
2. Sandwich stained section between two dry paper towels.
3. Press with warm iron.
4. Replace paper towels as needed to absorb wax.
5. Remove final traces of wax with dry cleaning fluid.

Note: If wax is colored and leaves dye spot:

1. Sponge with solution of 1 part alcohol and 1 part water
2. Rinse with plain water.

Cleaning Method = Dry Clean

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TREATMENT FOR CARBON STAINS

Paper:

1. Sponge with grease solvent.
2. Sponge with a solution of liquid detergent, a few drops of ammonia and water.
3. Rinse and repeat if necessary.

Duplicating:

1. Sponge stain with alcohol.
2. If stain remains, work in a little detergent.
3. Rinse.
4. Use bleach on any remaining traces.

Cleaning Method = Dry Clean

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TREATMENT FOR CHEWING GUM STAINS

1. Rub over area on which gum is adhered with ice cube if fabric does not water spot.
2. Scrape gum off with a dull knife.
3. Sponge with dry cleaning fluid.
4. If sugar stain remains, sponge with warm water.

Note: If gum gets on fabric which water spots, follow steps 3 and 4 ONLY.

Cleaning Method = Dry Clean

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TREATMENT FOR COFFEE AND TEA STAINS

Treat stains made by tea or coffee promptly.

For black coffee and black tea stains:

• Follow directions for Non-Greasy Stains.

For stains made with coffee to which milk or cream has been added:

• Follow directions for Combination Greasy and Non-Greasy Stains.
  
  OR
  
• If safe for fabric:
  1. Stretch stain over a bowl
  2. Secure with elastic band.
  3. Pour boiling water on stain from height of 2 to 3 feet.

Cleaning Method = Wet Clean

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TREATMENT FOR COMBINATION GREASY AND NON-GREASY STAINS

Washables:

1. Try working detergent into stain.
2. Rinse with hot water.
3. If stain persists, apply dry cleaning fluid.
4. Rinse and let dry.
5. Sponge remaining greasy stain with cleaning fluid.
6. Let dry.
7. Repeat if necessary.

Non-Washables:

1. Sponge stain with cool water, or drop water onto stain with eye dropper.
2. If greasy stain remains sponge with dry cleaning fluid.
3. Repeat if necessary.
4. For final traces treat with bleach.

Cleaning Method = Wet or Dry Clean

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TREATMENT FOR COSMETIC AND CRAYON STAINS

Washables:

1. Apply liquid detergent to stain.
2. Work in until outline of stain is gone.
3. Rinse thoroughly.
4. Repeat as necessary.
5. For last traces of stain, use a mixture of soap and ammonia.

Non-washables:

1. Sponge repeatedly with cleaning fluid until no more color of stain can be removed.
2. Remove traces with detergent.

Rinse. Cleaning Method = Dry Clean

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TREATMENT FOR DEODORANT AND ANTI-PERSPIRANT STAINS

1. Sponge stains with warm water and liquid detergent.
2. Rinse.
3. If stain is not removed use bleach.

Note: It may be possible to restore lost color caused by aluminum salts in some antiperspirants by sponging with ammonia and rinsing well.

Cleaning Method = Wet Clean

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TREATMENT FOR EGG STAINS

Washables:

1. Scrape off as much egg as possible with a dull knife.
2. Sponge stain with cold water.
3. Launder as usual.

Non-washables:

1. Scrape off as much egg as possible with a dull knife.
2. Sponge stain with cold water.
3. Sponge area with cleaning fluid.

Cleaning Method = Wet Clean

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TREATMENT FOR FRUIT, JUICES, AND VEGETABLES STAINS

Washables:

1. Sponge promptly with cool water.
2. Soak in cool water.
3. Work liquid detergent into stain.
4. Rinse.
5. If any of the stain remains, try a few drops of white vinegar, then detergent, then water.
6. Rinse.

Non-Washables:

1. Sponge promptly with cool water.
2. Work liquid detergent into stain.
3. Rinse.
4. If any of the stain remains, try a few drops of white vinegar, then detergent, then water.
5. Rinse.
6. Sponge with alcohol.

Cleaning Method = Wet Clean

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TREATMENT FOR GLUES AND MUCILAGE ADHESIVES

Model Glue and Household Cement: Use acetone, except on Acetate, Verel, Dynel.

Casein Glue: See directions for Non-Greasy Stains.

Rubber Cement:

1. Scrape away as much cement as possible, using a dull knife.
2. Sponge with cleaning fluid.

Other Glues: See directions for Greasy Stains, BUT use HOT, NOT cold water.

Cleaning Method = Dry Clean or Wet Clean

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TREATMENT FOR GRASS, FLOWERS, & FOLIAGE STAINS

Washables:

1. Sponge stain with alcohol.
2. Work liquid detergent solution into stain.
3. Rinse alcohol and detergent out with cold water. If necessary, apply a few drops of ammonia to area and work in more detergent solution.
4. Flush out with cold water.
5. Launder as usual.
6. If stain persists, use bleach.

Non-Washables:

1. Sponge stain with alcohol.
2. Work liquid detergent solution into stain.
3. Rinse alcohol and detergent out with cold water. If necessary, apply a few drops of ammonia to area and work in more detergent solution.
4. Flush out with cold water.
5. Wipe with dry cloth, let dry.

Cleaning Method = Wet Clean

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TREATMENT FOR GRAVY STAINS

Washables:

1. Soak stain in cool water to dissolve the starch in the gravy.
2. Wash with detergent and water.
3. If grease stain remains, sponge with cleaning fluid.

Non-Washable:

1. Sponge stain with cool water.
2. Sponge with cleaning fluid.

Cleaning Method = Dry Clean or Wet Clean

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TREATMENT FOR GREASY STAINS

Washables:

1. Try working detergent into stain.
2. Rinse with hot water.
3. If stain persists, apply dry cleaning fluid.
4. Launder as usual.

Non-Washables:

1. Place a few paper towels under stain.
2. Apply dry cleaning fluid to stain .
3. If yellow stain remains, treat with bleach.

Cleaning Method = Wet or Dry Clean

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TREATMENT FOR INK STAINS

Ballpoint:

1. Apply lukewarm glycerin to stain.
2. Blot with paper towel.
3. Repeat till stain is gone.
4. If stain is stubborn, use Wetspotter.
5. Rinse well.
6. Use chlorine bleach on remaining stains.

Mimeograph Printing: see Greasy Stains or sponge with turpentine.

Cleaning Method = Dry Clean

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TREATMENT FOR MILDEW STAINS

Fabrics and wallpaper:

1. Remove spores by brushing outdoors, if possible.
2. Wash with soap and water and dry in the sun.
   (If this can't be done, dry indoors with electric fan.)

Mildewed rugs:

1. Sponge with thick soap suds or rug shampoo.
2. Remove suds with clean sponge.
3. Dry in sun if possible.
4. Use spray of 3/4 cup of household bleach mixed with 1 gallon water to retard mIldew.

Cleaning Method = Wet Clean

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TREATMENT FOR MUSTARD STAINS

1. Brush or scrape off any dried mustard.
2. Flush with dry cleaning solvent.
3. Repeat.
4. Allow to dry.
5. If stain persists, use Wetspotter.
6. Flush with water.
7. Repeat till stain is gone.

If steps 1 through 5 fail, take garment to dry cleaner.

Note: Mustard contains a chemical which sometimes causes a yellow stain which is almost impossible to eradicate.

Cleaning Method = Wet Clean

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TREATMENT FOR NON-GREASY STAINS

Washables:

1. Sponge promptly with cool water.
2. If necessary, soak cool water for 30 minutes or longer.
3. Work liquid detergent into stain.
4. Rinse.
5. Use bleach on any remaining stain.

Non-Washables:

1. Sponge promptly with cool water, or drip cool water on stain with eye dropper.
2. If stain persists, work in liquid detergent, and rinse.
3. Sponge with alcohol.
4. If this fails, try bleach.

Cleaning Method = Wet Clean

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TREATMENT FOR PAINT AND VARNISH STAINS

Washables:

1. Sponge with soap and water.
2. Rinse.
3. If stain persists, sponge with turpentine.
4. Immediately work in liquid detergent and soak overnight in hot water.
5. Repeat if necessary.

Non-washables: Sponge with turpentine.

Cleaning Method = Wet Clean

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TREATMENT FOR PERSPIRATION STAINS

Washables:

1. Sponge promptly with ammonia, for old stains, sponge with white vinegar.
2. If oily residue persists, use cleaning fluid.
3. Launder.
4. If odor persists soak in warm water and salt for at least 1 hour.
5. If stain persists, use bleach.

Non-washables: (Steps 1 and 2 only)

1. Sponge promptly with ammonia, for old stains, sponge with white vinegar.
2. If oily residue persists, use cleaning fluid.

Cleaning Method = Wet Clean

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TREATMENT FOR IRON RUST STAINS

Washables:

1. Moisten stain with water.
2. Sprinkle with salt.
3. Drip on lemon juice.
4. Dry in sun, if possible.
5. Repeat steps 1 through 4 if necessary.

If these steps don't seem to work, put oxalic-acid crystals in cheesecloth, moisten, apply to stain, and rinse completely.

Non-washables: Iron rust stains are almost impossible to remove from articles which must be dry cleaned.

Cleaning Method = Wet Clean

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TREATMENT FOR SCORCH STAINS

Washables:

Follow steps for Non-Greasy Stains.

Non-washables:

1. Sponge fabric with hydrogen peroxide.
2. Rinse with clear water.
3. Repeat if necessary.
4. Dry in sun if possible.
5. Use bleach on remains of stain.

Cleaning Method = Wet Clean

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TREATMENT FOR SHOE POLISH STAINS

Shoe polishes vary in their ingredients. Therefore, it may be necessary to try more than one stain removal method.

1. Try the method recommended for COSMETICS.
2. If that fails, try sponging with alcohol.
3. If both of these methods fail, sponge with any cleaning fluid or turpentine. If you use turpentine, sponge with detergent and warm water and alcohol.
4. Treat traces with bleach

Cleaning Method = Dry Clean

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TREATMENT FOR STOVE POLISH STAINS

Stove polish is the polish used to "reblack" wood burning stoves, iron planters, wrought iron furniture, etc.

Washables:

1. Rub in liquid detergent.
2. Rinse with warm water.
3. Repeat if necessary.

Non-Washables:

1. Sprinkle corn starch on stain to absorb polish.
2. Work into fabric.
3. Brush off when dirty.
4. Repeat until stain is almost gone.
5. Sponge with cleaning fluid.

Cleaning Method = Dry Clean

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TREATMENT FOR URINE STAINS

Treat Promptly!

For urine stains on clothes:

1. See Non-Greasy Stains.
2. If color changes, sponge with acetic acid or white vinegar.

For urine stains on rugs:

1. Blot with clean towel until moisture is removed.
2. Sponge with cool water.
3. Sponge with liquid detergent and water.
4. Rinse out detergent completely.
5. If stain persists or colors change, try steps 2 and 3.
6. Blot with clean towels.
7. Let dry.

Cleaning Method = Wet Clean

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TREATMENT FOR WINE STAINS

Treat Promptly!

1. Apply concentrated solution of detergent and glycerin to stain.
2. Work into stain. Leave for a few minutes.
3. Sponge with cool water.
4. If stain persists, apply ammonia and water to stain.
5. If stain turns from blue to pink, use white vinegar to turn stain blue again.
6. Use bleach on blue stain.

For wine on rugs: Follow directions of Urine.

Cleaning Method = Wet Clean

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