The Scoop on Stubborn Stains

Combat stubborn stains and keep your clothes looking good as new with the following stain removal tips from the Coin Laundry Association (CLA).

The “Three P’s” of stain removal will help you save your clothes from stains:

Promptness – treat stains as quickly as possible before laundering. Age and laundering before pre-treating can set some stains.
Persistence – if the garment is worth saving, it is worth a little extra time and effort to follow stain removal procedures.
Patience – It may be necessary to repeat a procedure several times on tough stains. Remember to always check the care label on the stained clothing or fabric before using any stain removing technique.

Rinse in cold water to dilute the stain.
Pre-treat remaining stain and wash in the hottest water safe for the fabric using appropriate bleach.
If the stain remains, soak in warm water with pre-soak product.

Pre-treat stain and launder in the hottest water safe for the fabric, using chlorine bleach if safe for the fabric.
If stain remains, soak in warm water with a pre-treat product. Rinse thoroughly and relaunder.
Use nail polish remover for stubborn makeup stains, such as lipstick.

Dab the stain with rubbing alcohol and/or spray with pre-treat product or hairspray until wet-looking. Rinse thoroughly. (For felt-tip pen ink, rub household cleaner such as Fantastik or Mr. Clean into the stain and rinse as many times as necessary.)
Pre-treat stain and launder in the hottest water safe for the fabric and use appropriate bleach. (Felt-tip pen ink stains may be impossible to remove)

Remove as much dried stain as possible from the fabric.
Soak in a bucket of water before washing.
Pre-treat and launder using the hottest water safe for the fabric and use appropriate bleach.