Laundry Stains - New Port Richey, FL

Updated on July 10, 2008
A.H. asks from New Port Richey, FL
27 answers

I know this is silly but I really dislike stain on me and my familys clothing. So when I can't get a stain out I throw the item away. Really tired of that. There are a few things I have been able to get out. If any one has any secrects to share please let me know. Chocolate brand new shirt I wore it once,apple I didn't even know that stained,ink my husband lovessss to leave his pen in his shirt pockets. If there are any other hard to remove stain that you have a trick on removeing please let me know. Most of the time these are set in stains not fresh ones.

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So What Happened?

Thankyou so much for all the ideas. Some I have tried some I hadn't. I am still working on the chocalate stain but it is getting there. I have some old shirts with ink stain I am going to run some test on it. I'll let you know my results. Thankyou again

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P.L.

answers from Tampa on

Ink - milk, hairspray or rubbing alcohol..then wash.
Food stains - clean spot with dish detergent (I use Dawn) - rub well; don't rinse; wash. If done properly, this gets out every type of food stain. Must do it before item is washed.
Oxyclean does work for soaking stains out but what I've found works better & doesn't fade clothes is Arm n Hammer Super Washing Suds (in a yellow box).
For poop stains, drying the item in direct sunlight will make the stain disappear.
Good Luck.

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T.M.

answers from Panama City on

try La totally awesome you can get it at the dollar store it's non toxic and has no oder it works great it took blood out of a pair of pajama pants i wore in the hospital after having my son the stain had set for almost a week and a half before i had a chance to get to i hope this helps

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D.B.

answers from Fort Walton Beach on

Just a couple of ideas... I use the bleah pens on whites (they are better on clothes than regular bleach and they are for spots not all over) and also depending on the stain and the fabric you can try rubbing alcohol. Its a long story but I have a ton of evening gowns and needless to say they don't always look as great at the end of the night as they do at the beginning. I have only had one dress that rubbing alcohol didn't work on... its some weird black scuff.... other than that it's gotten everything out! (even cherry jello! welcome to the world of motherhood lol) just a couple ideas. I do the same thing as you, either throw them away or they become play clothes for the back yard (but no where in public lol) Good Luck!

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B.C.

answers from Tampa on

Hello A.

On my baby's clothes I use Dreft Stain Remover right away. You have to react fast. You will be take any stain out while the stain is still wet. Here are some additional great tips;

Combination Solvents
(Shout, Spray 'n Wash)
All-purpose stain removers, particularly good on greasy stains.

Oil Solvents
(K2r, Afta)
Also called dry-cleaning fluid, these remove oily, greasy stains. Safe on nonwashables. Use only on dry fabric, in a well-ventilated area. Air clothes after using.

Digestants
(Biz, Era Plus, Wisk)
Also called enzyme cleaners, these detergents contain enzymes that "eat" protein stains, like grass, blood, and egg yolk. Apply directly to damp fabric, or dilute in water, and then soak clothes. Use cold water when treating blood stains. Wool and silk are proteins, so digestants should never be used on these fibers.

Absorbants
(cornstarch, talcum powder)
Sprinkle on fresh grease stains, wait about ten to fifteen minutes, then scrape off. Then you can treat the stain.

Detergents
A mild, clear liquid dishwashing detergent is an effective all-purpose cleaner. Apply it straight, wait five minutes, then flush or dab with water.

Bleaches
Remove the color left behind by stains with mild bleaches, like lemon juice; white vinegar (mixed 1:1 with water); 2 or 3 percent hydrogen peroxide; or ammonia (2 parts water to 1 part ammonia; do not use on wool or silk). Use a cotton swab to dab the bleach, or place paper towels under the fabric, and use an eyedropper to flush the area with the proper bleach. Chlorine bleach, diluted with water, is a last resort.

Denatured Alcohol
Effective at breaking down some stains and evaporates without leaving a residue.

Mineral Spirits
For greasy stains, like tar. Air clothes after using.

Glycerin
Available at drugstores, it is particularly good for ballpoint ink.

3 moms found this helpful
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K.S.

answers from Tallahassee on

I used to swear by Greased Lightning! It even got out breast milk AND formula stains and every stain I ever tried...some even set in by heat! Now I'm using "prespot". It got CHOCOLATE out of my daughter's white and orange striped shirt! You can purchase this through Freedom United, which is a non-profit organization partnered up with a wellness company that has been around for 23 years and in the Inc. 500 magazine 5 times!! Request more info. at www.freedomunitedteam.com/KS2090. Thanks! And, good luck!

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E.R.

answers from Tampa on

Spray-N-Wash Dual Action works really good. I got 2 year old fish blood stains out of my husbands favorite fishing shirt! Don't just put it on and wash it though, sometimes you have to let it sit overnight and then apply it again in the morning. I had to put it on 3 times over the course of three days too get the fish blood out (do not wash it in between) but it worked! Good luck!

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R.S.

answers from Sarasota on

Hi A.,
I will agree with the other mom who said shout works awesome. I really really love it and it works pretty much on everything I have had. I usually buy a huge thing of it at sams club and then just refill my spray bottle. I usually go through about a bottle a week. I used it like crazy. And I only use it on the clothes right before I wash them. So I don't spray it on right away. Hope this helps!

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S.B.

answers from Jacksonville on

I have a small bucket I keep by my washing machine filled with soapy water and when I have clothing that have stains I spray Spray & Wash take a soft bristle toothbrush and scrub it out then soak for a day (sometimes longer). I usually check the clothing and reapply the stain remover on an as needed basis.

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K.

answers from Tampa on

I love the success of getting a stain out too. I've expereinced ink pens and for that you soak them with haripray as soon as possible and dab with a wet rag to try to pull the stain out.

For the food stains I usually spray it with shout and let it sit.

K.

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N.T.

answers from Tampa on

i am, hoding a crying baby so i will make this very quick. stains: i them too. the only thing that works for me is "AWESOME" I GET IT AT DOLLAR TREE OR FAMILY DOLLAR. THE STUFF IS AMAZING. I GET EVERY STAIN, OR SO FAR I HAVE!!!!!!!!!! PRE TREAT WITH THAT STUFF AND YOU SHOULD ME GOOD TO GO. GOOD LUCK

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M.S.

answers from Sarasota on

I haven't found one stain I can't remove with OxyClean in an over night soak. I start the washer filling with hot water, put in the soap and a big scoop (sometimes a scoop and a half) of OxyClean (if using the smaller blue scoops, I think I used three or four), then add the clothes. Let the washer agitate for 5 minutes or so, until the OxyClean and soap are dissolved, then shut the machine off overnight. I've gotten every stain out this way, except for some brown paint once, whiich isn't a stain, really.

I had a onesy that a friend gave me before my first child. It had a yellowish poopie stain on the back, even though it had been washed numerous times. I used it as something to throw on the baby around the house, then put it away until I had my second child. Between kids I discovered OxyClean. When I got this onesy out and saw that stain that had been there for years, washed and washed and baked in the dryer, I HAD to try the OxyClean soak on it... one overnight soak and the stain was GONE! I was really in shock.

Now, the only problem with a lot of soaking is that it seems to fade the colours a bit quicker, but I would rather have my kids (and me) wearing very clean-looking-a-little-faded clothes than brightly coloured stained clothes.

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T.G.

answers from Jacksonville on

I use a product called prespot. Its the best it got chocolate out of my daughters clothes. (it was in her pocket of her pants)
Not only is it a great product its ecosafe too. Contact me if you want more info.
____@____.com

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L.H.

answers from Sarasota on

Oxy Clean is my miracle stain remover. It might work for the chocolate and apple. probably not for the ink. It's good on foods, dirt, blood - anything organic. I really did get a wine stain to dissapear from a beige carpet... just like the infomercial!

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M.C.

answers from Tampa on

My husband recently left a pen in his shorts pockets. Almost the entire load of laundry had some sort of ink spots on them. I used Grease Lightening and it worked wonders. I only had to throw out the shorts the pen was in and one other shirt. I am not sure how it works on other stains, but I will be sure to test it out next time. Good Luck!

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C.

answers from Sarasota on

ooohhhh! Don't you just hate that when you open the washer and see that? Well there are some wonderfull ways in the ecosafe world. I use a non-toxic product called prespot. The company that manufactures it has over 300 non-toxic products that is safer for you and your family! It will also save you time and money. Contact me for more info...you will love the catalog that I just got in!
Cyndi

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D.

answers from Tampa on

Hello,

Here is an old fashioned tip that works. Soap and water, scrub stain and place item, while wet in the sun. The sun has a bleaching action. Repeat several times. A mother of five kids told me this and it does work. The other item I use is quick -n- bright (can be found on the net). Works on everything, carpets, walls, clothing, etc.

D.

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J.W.

answers from Tallahassee on

Spray and wash on the stain, then add color safe bleach to the load. Tide Laundry detergent works the best for us.

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C.Z.

answers from Tampa on

Hi A.

I love the Tide to Go sticks. They are very handy, you can keep them in your purse, diaperbag or backpack. They have gotten out many stains that would have set had I not had the Tide stick on me. You can get them in the Laundry isle at Publix. My MIL got me one and I have been hooked ever since...I dont leave the house without one if the kids are with me!

C.

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C.K.

answers from Tampa on

Clorox 2 for colors. I swear by it. And, you don't have to get to the stain quickly. Even if the stain's dried in, just pour some on the spot & let it sit for a while, then launder when you're ready. I've had it take out stains that I didn't notice and had been through the wash without it. It's awesome for my little super poo! LOL.

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S.G.

answers from Jacksonville on

Hi A.,

I have not thrown away clothes in so long I couldn't tell you. I'm older and my children are older but that doesn't mean that they're less messy. I was somewhat shocked that no one mentioned "green" or "eco-friendly" products. But ... again I'm older and have the time to watch the news and special events.

Go to www.checnet.org or www.saferforyourhome.com to check out eco-friendly products that are GREAT for removing stains. They are less expensive that some of the ones mentioned. I live OUT and so with the high cost of gas these days, I love that I shop online.

I just couldn't let this go without commenting. LOL

S.
____@____.com

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G.C.

answers from Tampa on

Hi A.
I have found that shout works really good on anything..it has even gotten permanent marker out of my daughters shirt. However, just remember once you dry it...its done. The heat sets the stain and there is noo getting it out (unless it is something white) in that case I will soak in a sink of blech water for about 15 minutes than wash and the stain will usually come out. I have tried a few things for stains and as I said found that shout works best (for me and my family anyhow) it works on things that have been sitting to because as sometimes I forget to get it right away. Hope this helps/

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L.S.

answers from Tampa on

Shout is my main stain remover here. I've also used OxyClean and had pretty good results with it.

With ink, there's a way that works as long as the clothes haven't been washed and dried. My daughter got some ink on her skirt at church one time. I sprayed hair spray on it, let it set and then blotted it. The hair spray seemed to lift the ink up. I did this several times until it was extremely light. This was a white skirt. I then sprayed stain remover on it and washed it. It worked. I've heard some people say that hairspray brings it all up for them. I only tried it once.

I also wanted to add that I have found that certain brands are harder to remove stains from. A friend of mine and I constantly argue over this so not all may agree. I cannot get stains out of a Walmart brand (White Stag) clothing. I bought 3 or 4 of their White Stag women's tshirts to wear around the house. They were $5 a piece. With two kids, they're always getting something on me. I could not get the stains out of these shirts. Within no time I threw them out. I have found that Target/Circo brand is really good as far as getting stains out. Anyway, just another thought.

Good luck!

L.

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M.O.

answers from Tampa on

Hi A..

I was desperate to get a stain out of my son's clothing one time...my favorite outfit of his. I use Woolite carpet cleaner on my carpets and it is great to get tough stains out. I thought, what the heck. I tried it and there was no more stain. I have used it numerous times on stains I was never able to get out...even old ones. I just spray the spot and either let it sit or throw it in the washer right away with regular detergent. It is the Woolite Oxy Deep carpet cleaner. Sounds crazy but it works for me :)

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J.F.

answers from Tallahassee on

My laundry stain remover of choice is Zout. I've been using it for a couple of years now, and it works better than anything else I've tried. I also love those little Tide pens and always have one handy in my purse. I know when I was younger and I used to get ink stains on my clothes all the time, I used hairspray on the stain (before it was washed or dried). When I have a really dirty load of clothes, I put a little amonia in the wash and I do a double rinse. I've heard that Fels Naptha, a laundry bar soap, is good to use on stains. You just wet it and rub the bar right on the stain. It's pretty inexpensive too - I think it's only about $1 per bar. I've also heard of people using Dawn dish detergent to get stains out of clothes.

Hope some of these tips help you out and save a few of your clothes.

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L.J.

answers from Tampa on

Hairspray will take off paint and ink on clothes!
L. Jacobs

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A.B.

answers from Tampa on

Do you how many clothes I'VE throw out too!!!! The I figured, its already missed up, so why not try to get it out. If it doesn't work, what have I lost and if it does.....I don't have to throw out my brand new whatever.

First if it just happens the Tide To Go stick really works!!!

I found that soaking the area (or item) in OxyClean can work for some stains. Grease- just stray the item with your grease cleaner (yes, the cleaner around the house) then throw it in the wash. If the item is white, then I'll soak it in a mixure of bleach- water. And blood comes out with peroxide.

The last thing- if the stain will not come out- restain the item. For me I always have a bottle of brown stain, it just seems to work out when I have on brown to spill.....you guest it......bleach!!! Even when I am so very careful.

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A.A.

answers from Punta Gorda on

Hi A.,

One tip not mentioned yet - make sure you do not heat-set the stain, or it will likely be permanent. That means do not put it in the dryer or iron it until the stain is removed.

There's no single product that works for all stain removal. Each stain should be treated according to its chemical make-up. For the apple & chocolate, you can try shout as a quick possible solution. For the ink, rubbing alcohol is very effective (except on permanent markers). Some people use hairspray but it's only effective because it contains rubbing alcohol.

I hope this helps!

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