Nothing dampens ones mood like a stain on a prized item of clothing.
As much as we try to avoid them, inevitably, we always spill something at some point.
With the busy festive season upon us, stains are undoubtedly a big part of that hustle and bustle from night outs, picnics to preparing a feast. These are all prime opportunities for stains to happen.
From sauce, ink, beverage, makeup and shoe stains, Better Homes and Gardens advises that before you begin treating a stain, check the fabric's care label for helpful information on fiber content and recommended care, including the suggested water temperature.
Although some stains are easily removable, according to Vogue India, the rule of thumb is to treat the stain right away before the pigments have the chance to dry and really settle into the fabric.
Though stains mark familiar accidents that are part of our daily lives, there are more creative techniques that have surfaced over the years to reduce stain as far as possible. One is using some products in our cabinets, such as hairspray. According to Good Housekeeping hairspray comes in handy when it comes to pen leaks because a mist on the stain can make it fizz and dissolve the ink, which can then be blotted up with a towel.
Meanwhile, similar to a stain eraser, GoodBasics have introduced a stain remover pen to help with a stain-free festive. The eco-friendly stain remover pen is marked as suitable for a wide range of surfaces such as clothing, furniture, shoes, handbags and even bibs.
READ MORE | 8 tips to spring clean your wardrobe, plus where to donate unused clothes in SA
Here are easy tips and tricks to prevent and remove stains on clothing:
1. Don't scrub
According to Business Insider, rubbing at a stain just works it deeper into the fabric, making its removal more difficult and potentially impossible. It is advisable to moisten and dab on the stain.
2. Be quick on your feet
Don’t let the stain sit for long hours as the longer a stain sits, the more it sets. Business Insider says old stains can be removed but it sure makes the process harder.
3. Beverage stains
December is thee season of ‘sipping’ so mishaps can occur and there’s one daunting stain you definitely don’t want on your clothing or any kind of fabric - a red wine stain.
With treating machine-washables, Better Homes & Gardens suggests you cover the stain with salt and stretch the fabric over a bowl then our boiling water onto the stain. While with non-washables you need to apply diluted white vinegar to the stain with an eyedropper then flush the spot with cool water.
4. Oil-based stains
The likes of lipsticks, foundation, liners - which some may be oil-based - are a hassle to remove.
Since many lipsticks have an oil-based formula, it stands to reason that a suitable makeup remover can get the job done. Vogue India recommends, without applying too much force, gently apply on the stained area and rub in forward and backward motions for a few seconds at a time.
5. Avoid light-coloured clothing
The lighter the colour clothing the more visible the stain. However, with the ample events set this festive with various themes, it might be hard to avoid certain colours but being cautious could prevent less stains.
