Common Stains and How to Remove Them – Part 1

By L. Paul Cline       

 

Stains, they get the best of us. From sliding into first base to finding a leaky pen in your pocket, we all stain our clothing from time to time.  Stains aren’t just common annoyances; if you can’t get them out, they can cut short the life of otherwise perfectly nice (and sometimes expensive) clothes.

The key to preventing yourself from throwing money out the window along with your stained clothes is to understand how to tackle stains, and attack them soon as possible in the right way.

I am going to show you how to treat and remove common stains so you can get as much mileage out of your wardrobe as possible.

Key Steps to Prevent Setting

• The most important thing, no matter what kind of stain you’re dealing with, is to prevent it from setting.
• “Setting” is a term that refers to the staining material forming a chemical bond with the fabric.
• At that point it is effectively permanent.
• Removing the discoloration will require removing the discolored fabric itself.
• Sometimes you can remove a set stain by scrubbing until the stained fibers are worn off, leaving unstained ones visible; other times the stain will remain in the fabric unless you physically cut the stained fabric out and put a patch in its place.

To prevent having to throw away a garment with a permanent stain, follow these general guidelines:

• Treat any stain immediately with water, or with the proper solvent if it is available
• Avoid direct heat. Heat will speed most types of stains’ bonding. Do not place stained clothing near a radiant heat source. Only use room temperature or lukewarm solvents.
• Avoid pressure. Apply solvents gently, dabbing them onto the stain and letting them soak in rather than scrubbing.

Detailed Stain Removal

Acting at once to prevent the stain from setting is necessary, but not sufficient. Most common stains won’t be removed completely just by dabbing some water on them and going about your business.

There are three basic steps toward effective stain removal, regardless of the nature of the stain:

1. Select the appropriate solvent.
2. Use the appropriate application method.
3. Seek necessary after-care.

Selecting the Appropriate Solvent

Picking the right solvent requires you to know two things: 1) what will dissolve the stain in question, 2) and what is safe to use on the cloth you’re working with.

 

Watch for the next installment on solvents!

 

LesCline Clothiers

Les Paul Cline has spent the past 20 years helping men perfect their image, both inside and out. He has worked with hundreds of business executives to help them design their wardrobes in the privacy of their own home or office.

In January 2003 he started Les Cline Company, a bespoke clothier that offers custom made suits and shirts at an affordable price. Today, Les Cline has grown to help hundreds of men find greater confidence through a bespoke suit.

 

Lescline.com  [email protected]
1-855-712-7312
Greenville, SC 29615