Summer stains are a total bummer. Can anyone eat a popsicle without a few drops landing on your shirt, shoes, somewhere? Fortunately, the tireless folks at the Branch Basics Headquarters have created this no-fail guide for tough stains. Follow this Stainmaster guide for the best ways to get and keep your clothes clean.
These are our guidelines that apply to most stain treatment jobs. Always first check garment tags for any special instructions.
1. ACT QUICKLY
For fresh stains, blot up any excess stain liquid with a clean white cloth or paper towel. Remove excess solids by gently scraping with a dull knife. With some solids, such as mud, removal may be easier after the stain has dried. Brush off the excess before the garment is washed. Fresh stains are much easier to remove than those over 24 hours old.
2. PRETREAT
For some stains, a quick spray with the All-Purpose stain remover and right into the washer may not be enough. Time – “Dwell Time” is the word used to describe the amount of time needed to penetrate a stain and release dirt, grease, fat, and oil. Fresh dirt and grime are easy to remove, while older dried, hardened grease and grime need more dwell time. For some tough stains, an overnight soak is needed.
3. TRY COLD WATER FIRST
Branch Basics soap provides a wonderful exception to the temperature rule of stain removal. Always start with cold water because it’s least likely to set a stain. you can always increase the temperature later. Also, check garment tag for temperature guidelines. Using cold water can help save material and garment life as well as electricity. In fact, it’s best to avoid using hot water on stains of unknown origin. Hot water can set protein stains like milk, egg, or blood. Generally washing machine temperature is set at 130°F or above for hot water and warm water is between 90°F and 110°F. Note: temperature of the water can vary according to weather outside.
4. AGITATE
Agitation is the process of rubbing the stained fiber to loosen the soil, grime or dirt from the material, and bring into more direct contact with the cleaning solution so that the stain is lifted and removed. To agitate, gently rub fabric together or brush lightly with your fingernail or a brush to aid in loosening the soil, grime or dirt from the material if necessary. You can also keep a clean cloth behind the spot as you work to lift stain from the front. Avoid excessive rubbing unless the fabric is tough and durable, as rubbing can spread the stain and damage the fabric. However, gentle to vigorous rubbing under running water helps remove dried food, blood or oil stains from shirts or jean-weight fabrics made of cotton or cotton blends.
5. WASH VERY DIRTY CLOTHES SEPARATELY
Soil and stains can be redeposited on cleaner clothing during washing if water temperature is too low, washing time is too long, or the wash is overloaded. Wash heavily stained items separately to avoid this problem. Note: Never wash mold contaminated, petroleum or pesticide-soiled clothes in your washer. These clothes should be sunned first (if weather permits) then soaked in a bucket outside in a solution of Branch Basics soap – ¼ cup of the Concentrate in 2 gallons of water. They should be line dried – if odor persists repeat.
6. DOUBLE CHECK BEFORE DRYING
If you can still see the stain, do not place the garment in the dryer. The heat of the dryer can make the stain more permanent. Before you dry it, treat it again and rewash. The same is true of ironing or steaming – no heat should be applied to stained areas. Retreat stains that persist – perhaps with more agitation, more soaking time, different temperatures, or a different concentration of soap.
PRELIMINARY RULES
Always Pretest!
If you have not used detergent before on a particular garment, and especially on favorite garments or upholstery fabric, test it on a seam or hidden area to be sure it doesn’t affect the color or finish of the fabric. Ideally, let it dry before making your determination. Once you know your fabric is colorfast, this is not necessary.
Mix soap with pure water
We highly recommend that you prepare your bottles by mixing your soap with distilled or reverse osmosis water, particularly for stain treatment on the go. This prevents water marks (residual minerals in your tap water) from appearing on stains you remove when you aren’t able to soak your clothes. If you have hard water, you also may need to use more detergent (up to 1 tsp. more per load) to get your laundry clean.
Read the Tags
Always check the manufacturer’s tags for full washing instructions.
COMMON STAINS
These instructions will remove the stain. After the stain is gone, wash as normal, according to care instructions. Remember, always test in inconspicuous spot for colorfastness if this is the first time you are washing this item.
BLOOD
Fresh blood stains are fairly easy to remove. Spray with stain remover and let sit a few minutes, then rinse with cold water. If possible, put the stain under the tap and let the cold water run through it. If on carpet or furniture, use a clean white cloth to blot the stain, spray with the soap and lightly agitate. Blot with cold water only, as hot water will cause it to set. Keep working until stain is gone. For dried blood, spray with stain remover and let sit for 5 – 10 minutes. Soak in cold water, agitate, and repeat if necessary.
INK & MARKERS
Spray stain remover on stain as soon as possible and rub vigorously if fabric permits. Repeat and soak if necessary for 5-10 minutes or longer. Note: some “set-in” stains, if previously laundered, are very hard to remove and may not come all the way out. It’s best to address a marker or ink stain as soon as you can.
LIPSTICK
Spray the stain with stain remover, let it sit for 3-5 minutes, then wipe with a damp towel.
MYSTERY STAINS
When you don’t know what the stain is, just spray stain remover, let sit 5 – 10 minutes and then perhaps soak in cold water. Gently agitate fabric and rinse. Repeat if necessary or move to a more complicated approach. Older stains typically benefit from soaking. Spot treat the stain, then submerge entire garment in water to cover. Soak from 15 minutes to overnight – the tougher the stain, the longer the soak. After soaking, wash in washer.
FOOD STAINS
GENERAL FOOD STAINS
Blot excess with clean cloth or paper towel. Wet stain slightly with water first, then spray microfiber, towel or rag with Branch Basics All-Purpose. Rub stain gently with the towel and agitate with fingers or brush if needed. Rinse and blot to lift stain. Keep a clean cloth behind the spot as you work to lift stain from the front.
AVOCADO
Remove as much of the excess avocado as possible using a dull knife or spoon before you work on the stain. Since avocado is an oil stain, treat stain with the Concentrate. If desired, you can also try the Bathroom spray first to see if it will take the stain out. Rub the soap gently into the stain. Soak the stain in cold water for 10-15 minutes or until the stain becomes more loosened. Every five minutes, agitate the stained area gently. Rinse the fabric thoroughly running water directly through the back of the stained area. If needed, repeat process until all stain is removed. Drying the stain will make it difficult to ever fully remove.
CHOCOLATE
Spray All-Purpose on stain, then agitate slightly with cloth until chocolate disappears. Keep a clean cloth behind the spot as you work to lift stain from the front. The more fat the chocolate contains, the more Concentrate you may need.
HONEY
Treat stain as soon as possible, preferably while still sticky. Remove excess with dull knife or spoon carefully so material is not damaged. Rinse with cold water to soften the honey – do not use warm or hot water at this point. Spray All-Purpose on the stain and saturate area thoroughly. Let sit for 5-10 minutes. Rinse with warm to hot water through the back of the stain to force the honey stain out of the material. If needed, repeat and add Branch Basics Oxygen Boost for extra stain-removing power.
KETCHUP
Remove excess ketchup from the fabric with a spoon or dull knife. Run cold water through the back of the stain as soon as possible to force the stain back out through the fabric. Don’t run it through the front of the garment, this will only force it more into the material. Spray the stain with All-Purpose and, if possible, consider adding Branch Basics Oxygen Boost. Work it into the fabric, then soak the stain in cold water for 10-15 minutes or until the stain becomes more loosened. Every five minutes, agitate the stained area gently. Rinse the stained area thoroughly running water directly through the back of the stained area. If needed, repeat process until all stain is removed. Drying the stain will make it difficult to ever fully remove.
OIL STAINS
Remove excess oil and spray or saturate stain with Concentrate. Allow to sit for at least 5 minutes or more, gently agitate with brush, then wipe or press in and blot with a microfiber, damp cloth or rag. Repeat if necessary. The Branch Basics Bathroom spray may be concentrated enough, but with oil stains many times you have to use the Concentrate. Agitate and then soak overnight in warm to hot water with 1 scoop Oxygen Boost. Use the warmest water possible to wash. Stains that require warm to hot water and agitation include olive oil, butter, ghee, coconut oil, and other oils.
SALAD DRESSING
Remove excess dressing with spoon or dull knife. Apply the Concentrate to the stain and work through the material. Let sit for 5 – 10 minutes. Soak in cold water – if the stain is not removed, then soak in warmest water possible – add 1 t. Concentrate to soaking water if stain seems to be stubborn. Soak 10 minutes to overnight. Preferably, wash in hot water. Do not put into the dryer until the stain is removed.
WINE
Spray stain with All-Purpose. Some wine stains will disappear before your eyes. Other stains will require soaking.
FABRIC STAINS
LEATHER
Spray All-Purpose on a damp cloth and wipe the leather furniture or clothing. For stubborn stains, brushing with a small soft brush may be necessary.
SILKS
Always pretest silks, which can be washed on the gentle cycle (if washable). For stains, spots and sweaty areas, wet then spray with All-Purpose. Let it dwell, then gently agitate until the spot or stain is gone. Soak if necessary, then wash according to the instructions on the label.
This is such a helpful post. You churn out such great content all the time. Keep it up!
two of my secret removers are hydrogen peroxide for blood and toothpaste for stains on whites.