When it comes to doing the laundry sometimes there is more to it than throwing the clothes in the washer and adding detergent. Clothing costs add up and if you want to get your money’s worth you will need to learn to care for them properly. Some things to keep in mind are using the right detergent, proper water temperature, and pre-treating all stains. This part can seem a little complex but this post will offer some great advice on how to pre-treat and make your clothes as clean as possible.
Pre-Treat Stains! | Coin Laundry Raleigh NC
We cannot stress how important it is to check your clothing for stains before you launder. The absolute best way to ensure you get a stain out is to pre-treat it immediately, or as soon as possible once the stain occurs.
If the stain is:
- Protein-based stains like blood, spit-up, or baby poop: rinse under cold running water as quickly as possible. Keep the garment in cold water until you can launder it. If you choose to use a spray stain remover, follow the directions later in this post.
- Ink (from an ink pen or marker) – go straight to the pre-treat steps listed below in this post.
- Grass/dirt – you’ll probably have to end up doing The Soak, but you can certainly try to pre-treat with a spray stain remover first and hope for impressive results! You can also try baking soda and vinegar. Dish wash will also help.
- Food grease such as bacon grease, French fries, or cooking oil – you’ll need to use the Blue Dawn method which involves wetting the stain, add baking soda, sprinkle with dish detergent and then scrub with an old toothbrush. Some like to add vinegar to the mix as well. Wash the garment as normal. Check to be certain the grease stain is gone before drying. If any stain remains, repeat this process. Skip the spray stain remover step below completely. Spray stain removers aren’t really formulated for this type of stain.
Spray Stain Remover | Coin Laundry Raleigh NC
Assuming you have completed these crucial steps in stain removal, you’re now ready to spray on your favorite product. Spray directly on the stain, saturating the entire area. Using your finger, rub the stain remover in well. Slightly lift the fabric with your finger, ensuring you surround the stain with your spray product. Next, you have the option of gently rubbing the stain remover in with a toothbrush. This may be needed for a tough stain that is tomato based, grease, or grass. Be sure to treat the stain on the reverse side of the fabric. Use your finger to rub the stain remover into the fabric to ensure its covered well on both the front side and the reverse side. Allow this to work for a while, then launder as usual.
What you should never do when Pre-treating a stain is to rub the fabric together. The problem is when you spray the stain with stain remover and then rub the fabric back on itself to saturate the stain with the product, you can spread the stain and even make it bigger. This will make your job even harder. Use something in between the front and back of your fabric.
Getting stains out of your clothes is simple if you take the time to treat stains properly and immediately. If you find yourself behind on a mountain of laundry, check out our Raleigh Laundromat. Laundry Express offers state of the art machines for washing and drying. We also offer laundry services that include dry cleaning, wash, dry, fold services, and stain removal. Don’t get behind when we can help! Visit our coin laundry in Raleigh NC, soon!
