Fabrics Manufacturers

If you have an outfit made from delicate fabric such as Georgette, Crepe, Brocade, Tissue or Satin, you have probably already noticed that it is difficult to clean. Here are some care tips that will help you protect your investment for years to come.

General Care Instructions

General Instructions

1. Treat stains promptly. Fresh stains are easier to remove than old ones. If the stain is on a no washable fabric, take it to the dry cleaner as soon as possible, and describe the nature of the stain and the fiber content of the garment.
2. Read and carefully follow package directions when using any stain removal product.
3. Always test stain removers on an inside seam or other hidden part of garment for color fastness. To test, apply product and let stand 2-5 minutes, then rinse. If color changes, do not use product on garment.
4. When using bleach, do not try to bleach just one area of garment; bleach the entire garment to prevent uneven color removal.
5. When treating, place stained area face down on a clean paper towel or white cloth. Apply stain remover to the underside of the stain, forcing stain off the fabric surface instead of through it.
6. Never put chemical dry-cleaning solvents directly into washer.
7. Thoroughly rinse and air dry areas treated with dry-cleaning solvents before placing in washer, to avoid a fire.
8. Do not mix stain removal products together. Some mixtures, such as ammonia and chlorine bleach, can produce noxious fumes.
9. Always launder washable items after treating to remove residues of the stain and the stain remover.
10. Have patience; it takes a little extra time and effort to remove some stains.
    • Remember, some stains cannot be removed.

Definitions

1. Detergent -- all-purpose synthetic detergent (liquid or powder). Use liquid detergent full strength; mix powder with water to form a paste when working into stain.
2. Dry-Cleaning Solvent -- stain and spot removers available at grocery and hardware stores. A nonflammable type is safest to use.
3. Stain Stick -- an enzyme-based cleaner available at grocery and discount stores. Most effective on food, grease, oil, protein, and dirt-based stains and can be used on any fabric and color. It can remain on fabric for up to one week.

Tips for Specific Types of Stain

Alcoholic Drink Stains

1. Always read and follow the care instructions and any warnings on the garment label. And, follow these General Rules for stain removal.
2. Launder with detergent in hottest water safe for the fabric. Do not use soap (bar, flake, or detergents containing natural soap), since soap could make stain permanent or at least more difficult to remove.
3. Soak tough stains for 30 minutes in 1 quart of warm water and 1 teaspoon of enzyme presoak product. To remove old or set stains may require washing with bleach that is safe for the fabric. always check for colorfastness first.
4. If all the sugars are not removed a brown stain will appear when the fabric is heated in the dryer or is ironed, as the sugar is caramelized.

Baby Stains (Food, Formula, Poop)

1. Always read and follow the care instructions and any warnings on the garment label. And, follow these General Rules for stain removal.
2. Scrape off whatever you can.
3. Fresh protein stains can often be removed by just soaking and agitating in cold water before washing. If hot water is used first, it can cook the protein, causing coagulation between the fibers in the yarns of the fabric, making the stain more difficult to remove.
4. Soak in cold water using a detergent or enzyme presoak product for about 30 minutes. Soak old stains for at least several hours.
5. Launder in warm (not hot) water, rinse, and inspect. If stain remains, soak an additional 30 minutes, then rewash. (Never put a stained fabric in a dryer. The heat from the dryer can set the stain.)
   • If color stain remains, launder using chlorine bleach if safe for the fabric, or with all fabric bleach. However, if bleach is used, rewash to be sure all bleach has been removed because baby's skin is sensitive.
6. According to the Old Farmer's Almanac, adding one cup of white vinegar to each laundry load during the rinse cycle breaks down uric acid and soapy residue, leaving baby clothes and diapers soft and fresh. But, be sure you use WHITE vinegar.

Chocolate Stains

1. Always read and follow the care instructions and any warnings on the garment label. And, follow these General Rules for stain removal.
2. Treat the stain with a prewash spray or pretreat with a product containing enzymes. Rub with heavy-duty liquid detergent. Launder.
   • If stain remains, re launder with bleach that is safe for the fabric. If stain still remains, treat as a "Dye Stain."

Coffee, Tea stains

1. Always read and follows the care instructions and any warnings on the garment label. And, follow these General Rules for stain removal.
2. Saturate the stain with a pretreatment stain remover.
3. Rub the stain with a heavy-duty liquid detergent and launder in hottest water safe for the fabric.
4. Do not use soap (bar, flake, or detergents containing natural soap), since soap could make stain permanent or at least more difficult to remove.
   • If stain remains launder with bleach safe for the fabric.

Blood Stains

1. Always read and follow the care instructions and any warnings on the garment label. And, follow these General Rules for stain removal. Treat blood stains immediately.
2. Flush cold water through the stain and scrape off crusted material.
3. Soak for 15 minutes in a mixture of 1 quart of lukewarm water, 1/2 teaspoon liquid hand dish washing detergent, and 1 tablespoon ammonia. Use cool/lukewarm water. Heat can permanently set protein stains. Rub gently from the back to loosen stain.
4. Soak another 15 minutes in above mixture. Rinse. Soak in enzyme product for at least 30 minutes. Soaked aged stains for several hours. Launder.
5. If the blood stain is not completely removed by this process, wet the stain with hydrogen peroxide and a few drops of ammonia. Caution: Do not leave this mixture longer than 15 minutes. Rinse with cool water.
   • If blood stain has dried, pretreat with prewash stain remover, liquid laundry detergent, or a paste of granular laundry product and water. Launder using bleach safe for fabric.

Cream/Cheese Sauce stains

1. Always read and follow the care instructions and any warnings on the garment's label. And, follow these General Rules for stain removal.
2. Fresh stains should be soaked and agitated in cold water before washing.
   • If stain is dried, scrape or bush off any crusted matter and soak for up to several hours in cold water with a detergent or an enzyme presoak. Launder in warm (not hot) water.
   • If stain remains soak an additional 30 minutes and rewash.
   • If color stain remains launder with bleach safe for the fabric. Always test for colorfastness first.

Lipstick Stains

1. Always read and follows the care instructions and any warnings on the garment label. And, follow these General Rules for stain removal.
2. Place the stain face down on folded paper towels. Sponge area with dry-cleaning solvent. Replace towels frequently; let dry; rinse.
3. Rub with a heavy-duty liquid detergent and launder.
4. Repeat treatment if needed using all-fabric bleach, because it is less damaging to colors and fabric.
   • If stain remains, treat as a "Dye Stain."
5. Fruits and Fruit Juices ( For Cherry & Blueberry see "Dye Stains")
6. Always read and follow the care instructions and any warnings on the garment label. And, follow these General Rules for stain removal.
   • Launder with detergent in hottest water safe for the fabric. Do not use soap (bar, flake, or detergents containing natural soap), since soap could make stain permanent or at least more difficult to remove.
   • Soak tough stains for 30 minutes in 1 quart of warm water and 1 teaspoon of enzyme presoak product.
   • To remove old or set stains may require washing with bleach that is safe for the fabric.
   • If all the sugars are not removed a brown stain will appear when the fabric is heated in the dryer or is ironed, as the sugar is caramelized.

Ink (permanent) stains

1. Permanent inks are almost impossible to remove. Always read and follow the care instructions and any warnings on the garment label. And, follow these General Rules for stain removal. To have any chance you need to treat immediately.
2. Force water through the stain before it dries to remove excess ink. Allow to dry.
3. Sponge the stain with dry cleaning solvent (read and follow the directions carefully, it is toxic). Allow the fabric to dry. Rub a liquid detergent into the stain. Rinse.
4. Soak the stain in warm water to which 1 to 4 tablespoons of household ammonia have been added.
5. Rinse and repeat if stain is lessening. Launder.
6. Some inks on white fabric may be removed with a dye stripper. Follow package instructions. For stains on colored fabrics, checks for dye fastness in a hidden are before using. Also, be aware that these products will affect all colors on the fabric.

Related wikiHows

• How to Clean Fabric
• How to Baste Fabric
• How to Dye Fabric Using a Front Loading Washing Machine
• How to Remove Sticky Substances from Fabric

Sources and Citations

• www.anshusdesigns.com

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