Know the Dos and Don’ts of Dealing With Stains | Starcrest Cleaners
January 30, 2020
Stains are always annoying to deal with, especially if you get them on your new garb. Getting rid of them is also a time-sensitive matter, if you want to remove as much of the stain as possible. The longer stains stay on your clothes, the harder it will be to clean them up. As such, you’ll need to think of a fast solution when your beloved button-up or pants get soiled or spattered. Some stains are easily with DIY methods, but some marks are just too stubborn to deal with yourself. Here are some dos and don’ts of cleaning them off your precious clothes, and of knowing when to take the apparel to the cleaners.
Do: Soak the Garment in Water ASAP
As soon as the wine or mud hits your shirt, you should take immediate action, the first step being to soak the piece of clothing in water. This is because, as you’ve learned in the classroom, water is a universal solvent that can dissolve the most substances out of any liquid. Doing so allows you to break down what caused your stain before it dries and sets, which will only make it harder to remove from the fabric.
Don’t: Add Bleach Immediately
While bleach is excellent at lightening stains, it unfortunately takes the color of your clothes along with it. Bleach can even end up damaging items made of delicate or thin fabric, like linen shirts and silk pajamas. Plus, bleach alone can’t remove certain stains, especially those caused by grease. Use this chemical only if your soiled clothes are white and are made of thick cotton. No more than half a cup is needed for a regular wash cycle.
Do: Use Cold Water for Protein Stains
Did a child throw up on your shirt while you were carrying them? Did you get cheese sauce all over your favorite pants after downing a handful of nachos? Don’t just soak the items of clothing in any water temperature. Hot temperatures may harden the proteins in them, making it harder for you to clean the stain off. Use room temperature or cold water and soak it for 30 minutes before giving the garments their usual wash.
Don’t: Attempt to Handwash Expensive Fabrics and Structured Clothes
Outerwear like fur coats and leather jackets are there to warm you and protect your inner clothing from the elements. However, you may find that these outer pieces start to develop more noticeable stains and smells over time. While they’re durable, these fabrics may get damaged if you soak them in water and regular detergent. It’s best to let a professional laundry service in Lincoln, NE take care of the problem. They’ll use specialized methods and chemicals to restore your expensive jacket to its former glory.
Do: Get Professional and Convenient Laundry Services
Whether you’re too busy to take care of your dirty clothes or there’s a particular item that needs extra care, head over to Starcrest Cleaners to get excellent laundry services. Apart from using the best cleaning techniques and high-quality detergents, we also offer excellent customer service experience. We have a valet drive-thru in all our locations. And we also provide same day service.
Stains can be daunting to deal with. With the right techniques, however, you can get them off safely. Remember to research about a cleaning agent’s effects on stains and clothes fully before applying them to your wash. And when in doubt, soak your items in water for a few minutes first before getting rid of the stains with soap. Keep these dos and don’ts in mind and you won’t have to deal with permanently-stained clothes again.
Contact us today to give your clothes the pampering they deserve.