| Battle Back-to-School Stains With Ease |
| Written by Dr. Laundry | |||
|
Though kids seem to be stain magnets year round, school can bring about a bunch - ink, crayon, marker and glue - that you haven’t seen in a while. Though stain removal techniques vary depending on the garment and stain at hand, there are a few basic tips that parents can follow when battling back-to-school spills. To keep your kids looking sharp, consider the following tips: 1. Blot liquids such as juice with a white cloth. Remember to blot from the outside in so you don't spread the stain. 2. If the stain is greasy or oily, don't run water over it. Rub liquid dishwashing detergent into the stain from behind, wait one to three minutes and rinse with warm water. 3. Scoop up solids with a dull-edged knife before blotting. 4. Dab stains (don't rub!) with cool water, which will lighten stains or solve them altogether. 5. Wash in the warmest water recommended on the care labels.
1. Pre-soak the garment for 30 to 60 minutes in warm water with an enzyme-heavy powder detergent. 2. After soaking, pre-treat with a liquid laundry detergent then launder immediately using the warmest water recommended for the garment. Add liquid bleach in with the detergent. For items that cannot be washed using regular bleach, oxygen bleach such as Javex2 Stain Fighter & Color Booster, can help remove stains and brighten colors. Harold Baker, aka Dr. Laundry, is an Associate Research Fellow at The Clorox Company. He has spent 30 years remedying tough stains and solving laundry needs across North America. For more information, visit clorox.ca.
|
