This page is always in progress!
Got a satin you need help getting out? I’m going to try to list as many stain removing ideas and websites as I can find so that those little accidents don’t leave too many marks. Hopefully this will help everyone have a less stressful art and craft experience.
I recently found three great items for getting rid of stains! I’ve included links that gave pictures, product info, and had reasonable prices, just in case, but I have never purchased the items online. I just found them in the laundry detergent isle (although the Fels Naptha is a little hard to find and you might have to check a few stores to see who has it in stock).
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The first is a bar of laundry soap called Fels Naptha that seems to remove just about anything my kids can get on their clothes. It’s great for small spots.
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The second is Arm and Hammer’s All Natural Super Washing Soda. This stuff is great for larger marks and whole loads of laundry. My daughter got sweet and sour sauce on her clothes (under the bib, no less!) and the A&H took it right out! I couldn’t believe it!
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Lastly, my husband introduced me to 20 Mule Team Borax, which is like a powdered laundry booster. It seems to work pretty well, too!
All in all, these three items are now considered must haves at our home. They have made life so much easier!
For crayon marks and other tough to remove markings, try a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser.
I really love the way the Crayola website addresses stains! Try them first:
http://www.crayola.com/canwehelp/staintips/index.cfm?n_id=32
If that doesn’t work, try these:
http://www.chemistry.co.nz/stain_frame.htm
http://www.rerunsgrownup.com/cleaning.aspx
If you have any good ideas on where to find credible info or things that work for you, please comment!
My favorite item to use for stains is club soda. It works like a charm! I had some tough-to-get-out grass stains on my favorite pair of jeans, after letting my jeans soak in the club soda for 20-30 minutes and then rubbing the stain in circular motions with a small brush the stains were gone.
The carbonation works as a stain lifter and helps to clean the area without much manual effort.
I have two! They don’t work with all fabrics but I find they usually work very well with cottons.
Ink (especially marker/pen): Either nail polish remover or hairspray. Hairspray works especially well to “spray on now, remove stain later” like for when you’re out and about. Nail polish remover I would recommend only using on heavy fabrics like jeans, but it works like magic.
Oil: This was the hardest. The key is to get to the stain FAST – and then use very hot water and any soap you have designed to break up oil – dish detergent is OK, but I find that face soap designed to clean oil off skin is slightly better. If neither works, try spray brake cleaner (any Walmart automotive section). Use a little, let sit 3 minutes, rinse with HOT water. Don’t let it sit a long time, otherwise it will leave a stain of its own and that’s no fun.
I use powder Cascade. I soak whatever, even old stains and almost everything has come out. I put clothing in a large bowl or in the washer in hot water and soad overnight and wash it the next day. It seems to brighten my clothes too! I pour some in my laundry once in a while.