Stains are a part of life; even the most careful people can’t predict when they might drop something on their favorite shirt or stand next to a mud puddle when a car drives through.
But don’t despair if your clothes have stains because, with the right strategy, almost any stain can be completely removed. Discover the art of emergency stain removal at your local laundromat.
Whether you’re a first-time young adult getting a handle on laundry care or an expert homemaker, let us guide you through effective pre-treatment techniques for pristine laundry results.
Here’s what you need to know.
Classifying Stains: Protein, Tannin, Oil, and Dye
While almost anything can stain your clothes, most of the issues people face come from four main stain types: proteins, tannins, oils, and dyes. Each requires a slightly different approach, but all can be removed quickly.
- Proteins – Anything from a living entity, such as a plant, animal, or human, likely falls into the protein category. Grass stains, blood, sweat, and more all respond to enzyme-based cleaners, which break down proteins into smaller amino acids and are easier to remove from fibers.
- Tannins – The natural colors that come from plant materials are called tannins. Stains from coffee, fruit, wine, and some types of washable ink are tannin-based and can be removed using oxalic acid-based solutions, such as detergents.
- Oils – Items such as butter and cooking oil are especially problematic in how they cling to clothes because oil molecules naturally repel water. By using soaps that break down oil, these molecules come apart and decrease in size, making them vulnerable to water pressure, which removes them from clothing fibers.
- Dyes – Dyes such as permanent ink and markers bond quickly to clothes and only respond to water before they dry. Because dyes bond directly into the fabric to become a part of the clothing itself, the only way to remove them is with a solvent that can dissolve their chemical makeup.
From Coffee to Red Wine: Handling Common Stains
If you’ve got a stain on your favorite clothes, taking quick action is the best thing you can do. Addressing the molecules before they set increases the chance of being able to remove them. For common stains, try:
- Coffee and red wine – These tannins respond best to cool (but not cold) water. Hydrogen peroxide and baking soda can lift the stain molecules, so make a paste of these materials and apply it to the stain for about half an hour. Then, rinse with water. You may use vinegar if the stain remains.
- Inks and dyes – Alcohol-based solvents can remove inks quickly. Try rubbing alcohol or even hand sanitizer with alcohol by applying it liberally and then rinsing it with cold water. You may need to repeat this process more than once.
- Grass stains and food oil – Both proteins and oils respond well to soapy concoctions, so dish detergent is a good option to break down these molecules. Add hydrogen peroxide to dislodge the particles from the cloth fibers for stubborn stains. Because these molecules are set at low temperatures, use warm or hot water when cleaning.
The Laundromat Advantage: Tools and Techniques for Immediate Action
Once you’ve done everything you can for your stain at home, the next best step is to wash your clothes using high-quality machines. A laundromat may be a better choice than your at-home washing machine.
A reputable laundromat can offer professional-grade products—including the machines and the detergents—to tackle even tough stains immediately and effectively. The best laundromats will also have staff on-site who can advise you on the best settings for your clothes.
Stains in durable clothing such as jeans benefit from a high spin cycle with aggressive agitation, while discoloration in softer fibers such as lycra is better treated with a less aggressive spin and cold water.
Most laundromat machines can do extra cycles or run at different strengths than your at-home washer and dryer.
Experience the Best in Laundry Care with Tiny Bubbles Laundromat
Effective stain removal involves treating the stain as soon as possible, using the right techniques, and using high-quality washing machines.
Tiny Bubbles Laundromat is home to American-made washers that do the job without wasting water for maximum environmental efficiency.
Our staff is always available to answer questions and provide guidance based on the types of stains you’re facing in your clothes.
Stop by Tiny Bubbles for all your laundry needs because our commitment to providing comprehensive laundry solutions extends to even the toughest stains.