How to Remove Tough Stains
Your guide to treating each one, from chocolate to nail polish
Stains are unavoidable with an active family. But don’t let those stains stick around forever. Remove them for good and extend the life of your family’s clothes. (Note: Before treating any stain, check a hidden seam for colorfastness. And read the garment’s care label.)
Chocolate
Soak in Wisk® Laundry Detergent and water for 30 minutes. If stain remains, soak overnight. Then wash the in hottest water safe for the fabric. If stain persists, rewash, using color-safe bleach.
Coffee, Tea, Wine and Soft Drinks
Promptly sponge or soak stain in cool water. While wet, pretreat with a prewash stain remover. Wash with Wisk® Laundry Detergent in the hottest water safe for the fabric. For older stains, presoak in Wisk® Laundry Detergent.
Ketchup
Soak in Wisk® Laundry Detergent and water for 30 minutes. If stain remains, soak overnight. Then wash in the hottest water safe for the fabric. If stain persists, rewash using color-safe bleach.
Spaghetti Sauce
Dampen stain with warm water and rub Wisk® Laundry Detergent directly into the stain. Wash in the hottest water safe for the fabric. If stain persists, rewash using color-safe bleach.
Dairy, Egg and Baby Formula
Soak in Wisk® Laundry Detergent and water for 30 minutes. If stain remains soak overnight. Then wash in the hottest water safe for the fabric. If stain persists, rewash using color-safe bleach.
Chewing Gum
Chill fabric with ice to harden gum. Peel or scrape off excess gum with edge of teaspoon. Rub with Wisk® Laundry Detergent. Rinse with hot water. Repeat if necessary. Wash in the hottest water safe for the fabric.
Food Coloring
Soak promptly in cold water. While wet, pretreat with a prewash stain remover. Launder according to package directions, using color-safe bleach. Air dry. If stain is not removed, presoak in Wisk® Laundry Detergent or enzyme presoak product. Launder according to package directions.
Mustard
Check care label for special instructions. While wet, pretreat with a prewash stain remover. Launder according to package directions, using color-safe bleach.
Fruits and Vegetables
Soak promptly in cold water. While wet, pretreat with a prewash stain remover. Launder according to package directions, using color-safe bleach. Air dry. If the stain is not removed, soak in Wisk® Laundry Detergent or enzyme presoak product. Launder according to package directions.
Dressings, Oil and Butter
Dampen stain. Rub with Wisk® Laundry Detergent and wash in the hottest water safe for the fabric. Make sure stain is completely removed before drying in dryer or ironing.
Grass
Soak in Wisk® Laundry Detergent and water for 30 minutes. Then wash in the hottest water safe for the fabric. If stain persists, rewash using color-safe bleach.
Mud
Let dry, then brush off as much as possible. Pretreat with a prewash stain remover or Wisk® Laundry Detergents. If stain persists, rewash using color-safe bleach.
Crayon and Candle Wax
Scrape off wax with dull knife. Place stain between white unprinted paper towels and press with warm iron. Repeat process to remove as much wax as possible. Place stain facedown on clean paper towel. Sponge with prewash stain remover. Blot with paper towels; air dry. Launder with Wisk® Laundry Detergent according to package directions.
Washable Marker Ink
Let dry, then brush off as much as possible. To determine what dissolves the stain, place a drop of water on the stain and then a drop of rubbing alcohol. Use whichever procedure makes more of the stain flow out of the fabric. Rinse stain under running cold water to remove as much ink as possible. Rub with Wisk® Laundry Detergent and rinse thoroughly. Wash with Wisk® Laundry Detergent in the hottest water safe for the fabric.
Ballpoint Pen Ink and Marker Ink
To keep ink from spreading, sponge area around stain with rubbing alcohol or cleaning fluid before applying the alcohol directly on stain. Place stained fabric facedown on clean paper towels and apply more alcohol to the back of stain. Replace paper towels frequently. Rub stain using Wisk® Laundry Detergent and rinse thoroughly. Wash with Wisk® Laundry Detergent in the hottest water safe for the fabric.
Eye Shadow, Lipstick, Mascara
Dampen stain with warm water and rub Wisk® Laundry Detergent directly into stain until its outline is gone. Wash in the hottest water safe for the fabric. If stain persists, rewash, using color-safe bleach.
Blood
If stain is fresh, soak in cold water. Then wash in the hottest water safe for the fabric. If stain is dry, soak in warm water with Wisk® Laundry Detergent for at least 30 minutes (or overnight for best results) and then wash. If stain persists, rewash, using color-safe bleach.
Water-Based Paint
If paint has dried, it cannot be removed. If paint is still wet, rinse in warm water. Launder with Wisk® Laundry Detergent, according to package directions.
Oil-Based Paint or Varnish
Dab stain with either the thinner recommended on the paint-can label or turpentine. (Be aware of caution statement on turpentine.) Rinse thoroughly. Pretreat with a prewash stain remover or bar soap. Rinse and launder according to package directions.
Grease
Dampen stain. Rub with Wisk® Laundry Detergent and wash in the hottest water safe for the fabric. Make sure stain is completely removed before putting in dryer or ironing.
Motor Oils and Car Grease
For extremely heavy stains, place stained area facedown on clean paper towels. Apply dry-cleaning solvent to back of stain. Replace paper towels frequently and let solvent dry. Pretreat stain by rubbing with Wisk® Laundry Detergent. Rinse thoroughly with warm water. If necessary, pretreat again. Then wash in the hottest water safe for the fabric.
Perspiration, Deodorants and Anti-Perspirants
If stain is light and/or fresh, apply ammonia. Wait a couple of minutes and rinse. If stain is heavy or old, place face down on clean paper towels and sponge back of stain with dry-cleaning solvent. Rinse thoroughly. After rinsing, rub with Wisk® Laundry Detergent and water while fabric is still damp. Then wash in the hottest water safe for the fabric.
Nail Polish
Place stained area facedown on clean paper towels. Apply nail polish remover to the back of stain. Replace paper towels frequently. Rinse and wash with Wisk® Laundry Detergent in hottest water safe for fabric. Note: Never use nail-polish remover on acetate, triacetate or modacrylic, as it will damage the garment.
Rust
Treat stain with repeated applications of lemon juice and salt. Do not let dry between applications. Rinse thoroughly. Wash with Wisk® Laundry Detergent and nonchlorine bleach in the hottest water safe for the sfabric. If a stain residue remains, treat it with a rust remover, available at your grocery store or drugstore.