Summer activities are happening and that means the family laundry basket is most likely overflowing. This week we had the opportunity to catch our youngest grandsons’ first baseball games of the season. Bo’s slide into home base on Tuesday evening resulted in a ground in dirt stain that looked like it would be difficult to remove. Add that to the grass stain on one knee from diving for a ball and you have a challenge on your hands.
There are many great products on the market to help remove stains of all kinds. Without endorsing any brands, I will share some great tips for tackling a few of these summer stains.
• Grass stains – You will want to treat the stain as quickly as possible for best results. Pre-soak the stained garment in warm water with an enzyme-based stain remover or a few drops of dishwashing soap. Work in the stain remover with your fingers or a soft bristle brush and give it time to work – at least 15 minutes. Launder as usual following the care instructions on the garment tag. Hang to dry in case the stain isn’t completely removed as heat from the dryer will set the stain.
• Dirt and mud stains – Mud is just wet dirt, but it is so much harder to remove. Because soil is made up of organic matter, mud must be treated as a protein stain. If the stain is dried or old, scrape or brush off any crusted matter, then soak in cold water using a high-quality liquid detergent and a color-safe bleach. After pre-soaking for 30 minutes, wash in warm (not hot) water and detergent. If the stain remains, skip the high heat of the dryer and soak for an additional hour or overnight in a fresh solution of oxygen bleach, then rewash.
• Suncreen stains - We all realize the importance of wearing sunscreen when we spend any amount of time outdoors, but many of the ingredients in sunscreens can be difficult to remove from clothing. Either pre-treat the stain with a heavy-duty liquid detergent of with a paste made with powdered detergent and water. Let this set on the fabric for at least 30 minutes before laundering as usual.
• Ketchup or BBQ sauce – Tomato-based stains are notoriously stubborn, so removing them may take a while. Remove as much of the excess ketchup from the fabric as possible, using a spoon or the back of a knife, which won’t damage the fabric. Run cold water through the back of the stain as soon as you are able. This will force the stain back out through the fabric. Avoid any use of hot water as this will set a tomato-based stain. Rub a liquid laundry detergent into the stain in a circular motion. This should remove the color as well as the oily component of the stain. If the stain remains use a gel or spray stain remover and wash the garment as usual.
General stain removal tips include tackling the stain as soon as possible. If you are using a strong stain remover product test your garment for colorfastness in an inconspicuous place. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.
Donna Krug is the Family & Consumer Science Agent with K-State Research and Extension – Cottonwood District. Contact her at 620-793-1910 or dkrug@ksu.edu.
