Laundry Stain Removal

Got a stain on your clothes or sheets? Our handy stain removal tips should help you out with the most common stains.

Before using our stain-specific advice, any stain should be blotted out using kitchen towel or an old flannel. Lift any excess solids (e.g. mud / food) using a blunt instrument, then work from the outside towards the centre of the stain to avoid making it worse.

When using our tips, please note that we cannot take responsibility for any damage caused to your garments when removing a stain. Please also refer to manufacturers’ temperature guidelines before using our tips.

Alcohol

Beer: Rinse or soak in lukewarm water, then wash in heavy-duty detergent.
Red Wine: Pour salt on the stain to stop it spreading. Leave for 5 minutes then rinse with warm water before washing.
White Wine: If stain has dried soften with glycerine (1 part to 2 parts water) before washing.

Blood

Soak in a solution of cold water and salt. When the stain has disappeared, soak in neat biological detergent before laundering as usual.

Chewing Gum

Place in a plastic bag then in a freezer to harden the gum. Chip as much frozen gum off as possible and use a stain remover on any residual marks. Launder as normal.

Chocolate

Dab with a solution of white wine vinegar and water. Wash in biological powder.

Coffee

Rinse in warm water then soak in a biological detergent for an hour. Launder as usual.

Curry

Soak in warm water, squeeze out as much water as possible and apply a solution of equal parts glycerine and warm water. Leave for an hour, then rinse. Wash on a normal cycle.

Deodorant

Make a paste of bicarbonate of soda and salt and apply to the stained area. Rinse after fifteen minutes and soak in biological detergent. Launder.

Glue

Non Acetate: Treat with amyl acetate. Dab on the underside of the stain over an absorbent pad.
Acetate: Treat with white spirit. Dab on the underside of the stain over an absorbent pad.

Grass

Grass is one of the most stubborn stains to remove. The best method is to sponge on methylated spirits which should be washed out with warm soapy water. Apply a glycerine solution (1 part to 2 parts water) and leave to soften. Wash as normal in a strong detergent (preferably one that claims to combat grass stains).

Gravy

Soak in cold water using a biological detergent and then wash in a strong biological detergent.

Ink

Dab lightly with either methylated spirits or grease solvent. Wash as usual.

Mayonnaise

Sponge with lukewarm water then soak in a biological detergent solution. Wash on a normal cycle.

Milk

Soak in cold water in a biological detergent solution before washing normally.

Mud

Simply wait for the mud to dry and wash on the normal cycle.

Oil / Grease

Pour neat liquid detergent directly onto the stain, before washing on the hottest wash suitable for the fabric.

Paint (emulsion)

Treat quickly while the paint is still wet. Sponge with cold water and wash immediately.

Perspiration

Sponge with a solution of 15ml white vinegar to 250ml warm water. Leave for 5 minutes then soak in a detergent before washing normally.

Tea

This can usually be removed by normal washing if done immediately. For more stubborn stains, apply a glycerine solution (1 part to 2 parts water), leave to soften for one hour, then wash normally.

Tomato Sauce

It can usually be removed by normal washing, as long as this is done immediately. Alternatively, apply a glycerine solution (diluted 1 part to 2 parts water), leave for about an hour and then wash in detergent.

Vomit

Remove any excess, then rinse under cold water. Soak in cold water and a biological detergent, before washing normally with a strong detergent.

Urine

Rinse in cold water with a biological detergent, then wash normally.

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