Everybody Stains
One way to get involved in the slow fashion movement is by keeping the clothes that you already own for longer. Removing stains effectively will allow you to keep your clothes longer. Understanding basic science, you can problem-solve stains. In a past post, I discussed stains from common summer foods. This time, let’s talk about the unmentionable stains made by our bodies. Remember, everybody poops.
All About Human Stains
To avoid staining, you have to catch it when it happens. Dab lightly, but don’t rub it. Rubbing forces the stain deeper into the fiber. Use cool or cold water because heat tends to set stains. Apply the appropriate treatment by working the treatment into the stain with your hands. Rinse and repeat until the stain disappears.
Blood
Those of us womxn who bleed, know this stain well. Always use cold water because hot water will set the stain. Bloodstains contain proteins and enzymes love eating proteins. Apply 1 tsp of enzyme detergent or presoak onto the area. Wash with cool water because enzyme detergents are ineffective in higher temperature water. You can also use hydrogen peroxide instead of the enzyme detergent. This works great for period panties or reusable pads. Or just get a cup; I highly recommend it.
Poop
Feces. Doodoo. Shit. Whatever you call it; it stinks. And we all do it. If you are considering going with cloth diapers, get to know this stain solution well. Pick up the shit, and throw down some baking soda on the area. Baking soda is an alkaline salt that will absorb some of the mess. Let it dry and brush it off. Combine 1 tsp of liquid dish detergent with 1 cup of ammonia to create a slightly alkaline mixture. Apply the mixture to the spot and then rinse with cool water. Put a small amount of enzyme detergent on the area before washing. Wash the item in low-temperature water and if the item is white, add chlorine bleach to disinfect.
Mucus
Mucus always reminds me of Garbage Pail Kids. Remember those cards? To clean snot stains, apply an enzyme detergent presoak and wash in cool water. You can use bleach (on a bleach-safe garment) to disinfect the item.
Sweat and Oil Stains
That ring around the collar of your work shirts might be holding you back at your office. Or maybe it’s your daily 11 am Candy Crush break. Either way, oily secretions from hair and skin create some pretty stubborn stains. Apply liquid dish soap onto the stain to lift the oil. Dab the area with rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab or a cloth. This solvent dissolves the oil. Wash your clothing item as you normally would. If you don’t have rubbing alcohol, then you can substitute nail polish remover.
Pee
The content of urine depends on the things you eat and drink. This can mean that your urine can be either acidic or alkaline. So wash clean the spot with both an alkaline solution and an acidic solution. Combine 1 tsp of liquid dish detergent with 1 cup of ammonia for an alkaline solution. Apply the mixture, and rinse with cool water. Combine 1 tsp of liquid dish detergent with 1 cup of vinegar for an acidic solution. Apply the solution and rinse with cool water. Presoak with enzyme detergent and wash in cool water.
Urine Smell
Potty training going awry? Use this solution to neutralize odors in your mattress. Mix 2 cups of vinegar with 1 cup of water. Apply the mixture to the spot with a sponge or cloth. Cover the spot with baking soda to absorb the moisture and the funk. Vacuum up the baking soda after it dries.
Barf
Throw some baking soda on the area to absorb the mess. Combine 1 tsp of liquid dish detergent with 1 cup of ammonia for an alkaline solution. Apply the mixture, and rinse with cool water. Apply a small amount of enzyme detergent to the area and wash it in low-temperature water. Add a bit of bleach to the washer for disinfecting.
Happy stain troubleshooting!
