Murgatroyd's
actions and remedies
for a wide range of stains on clothing
| [ALWAYS TEST ALL REMOVAL AGENTS ON THE
FABRIC FIRST. TRY SOME ON THE BACK OF THE LAPEL OR SOME
OTHER UNNOTICED PLACE TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE WILL NOT BE
A WORSE STAIN CREATED.] |
|
| Stain |
Action/Remedy |
| Acrylic Paint
|
If still wet, blot off excess paint with absorbent paper
and soak with soap and water rinse with clean water. If dry, place
a pad below it and dab with a pad containing methylated spirits.
You must do a test area on synthetic fabrics. |
| Adhesives |
Scrape
off deposits, then go back to index for specific description of
your substance |
| Artists oil paint |
When wet, hold pad below stain. Dab with white spirit,
rinse with soda water. When dry, rub against itself to break up,
dab heavily with white spirit, clean up with soda water. It is
impossible to guarantee success |
| Artists poster, powder or water paints |
Sponge
well with cold soap and water, rinse with soda water. |
| Baby or other sick |
Flush with soda water blot dry |
| Ballpoint ink |
Act fast
or it may be impossible to move. Most types respond to being lightly
dabbed with a cotton bud dipped in methylated spirits. If this
does not work contact the pen manufacturer for advice. On plastic
you must react immediately or the ink will combine with the plastic
and becomes unmovable. Scrub at once with a nail brush using warm
water and soap. |
| Beer |
On wool, flush wet stains with soda water and mop with
absorbent paper. Gentle dabbing with methylated spirits will move
dry stains, rinse with soda water. On linen or cotton rinse wet
stain with luke warm soap and water, rinse well. For dry stains
soak in hydrogen peroxide (1 part 20 vol hydrogen peroxide to
6 parts water) on coloured cottons and linens sponge with white
vinegar solution (30ml vinegar to 500ml water) Synthetic fabrics
sponge with laundry borax solution (15ml borax to 500ml warm water).
In all cases, launder after treatment. |
| Beetroot juice |
Rinse
immediately in cold water. Use laundry solution borax (15 to 500ml
warm water) for soaking coloureds. For whites, sprinkle powdered
borax on the dampened stain and pour boiling water through the
stretched out fabric. Follow with laundering in enzyme detergent.
On wool fabrics immediately squirt with soda water, mop with absorbent
paper. |
| Bird droppings |
On Wool, sponge with borax laundry solution (15ml to
500 ml), rinse and blot dry. On cotton or linen and most synthetic
apart from nylon fabrics, wash in warm water with enzyme detergent,
if a stain remains soak in hydrogen peroxide mixture (1 part 20
vol to 6 parts water) Do not use any form of bleach on drip dry
cottons. If the bird has been eating berries, see
fruit stains. |
| Blood |
Fresh
blood stains should be sponged immediately with cold salt water
and rinsed with soda water. If washable, wash in an enzyme detergent.
Dried stains should be brushed well to remove surface deposit.
Stains which cannot be soaked and washed in an enzyme detergent
should be soaked in a hydrogen peroxide solution (1 part 20 by
vol to 6 parts water) with added ammonia (2.5ml ammonia to 1lt
solution). Do not use hydrogen peroxide on nylon. Rinse well with
soda water. Dab dry. |
| Carbon Paper |
Dab lightly with cotton wool soaked with Methylated
spirits. Not on acetate fabrics |
| Chewing gum |
Place
in freezer until hardened. Crack and pick off. Remaining deposit
can be removed with Swarfega Hand Cleanser worked in until
gum is dissolved, then sponge with warm water. |
| Chocolate |
Scrape off deposits with a knife. On cotton or linen
wash in an enzyme detergent if stain remains sprinkle with borax
powder stretch the fabric over a bowl and pour boiling water through
it, rinse. On wool, scrape off deposit, dab with white spirit
rinse with soda water. |
| Clear adhesive |
Hold
an absorbent pad over the stain and from the back, dab with a
pad containing non-oily nail remover. On acetate or triacetate
fabric use amyl acetate but check first for dye running. |
| Cocoa |
On cotton and linen, rinse thoroughly in warm water,
soak in an enzyme or borax mixture and launder in warm water with
detergent. When dry remove any trace of stain with hydrogen peroxide
mixture, (1 part 20 vol to 6 parts water). On wool, mop up any
surplus with absorbent paper, flush with soda water rinse with
warm water. Dried stains should be sponged well with borax mixture,
(15ml to 500ml water), blot dry and if a stain remains rub in
a mixture of 50:50 glycerine and warm water. leave for about an
hour, rinse with soda water and blot dry. Repeat glycerine treatment
if needed. Final resort is to soak in hydrogen peroxide mixture,
as above. |
| Coffee |
On wool
cloths, wet stains, mop up as quickly as possible and rinse well
with soda water, blot dry. If milk or cream in coffee you may
have to treat that stain with enzyme or borax mixture. Dry stains
need repeated soda water rinses and to be allowed to dry between
treatments. For cotton and linen see cocoa. |
| Contact adhesive |
Hold an absorbent pad over stain on the right side from
the wrong side dab with a pad containing non-oily nail remover
or lighter fuel. On acetate or triacetate fabrics use amyl acetate.
In either case, check for colour run. |
| Curry |
On wool,
sponge with a warm borax mixture, (15 ml to 500 ml), if this fails,
use the glycerine mixture (equal parts glycerine and warm water)
rub it in and allow to soak for ten minutes rinse with soda water
and reapply the borax mixture. Blot dry. Remaining stain can be
teated with hydrogen peroxide mixture.+ On cotton and linen, rinse
well in luke warm water, rub in glycerine mixture and leave for
an hour, rinse again in luke warm water. Soak and wash in an enzyme
detergent. Remaining stain can be treated with hydrogen peroxide
mixture, (1 part 20 by vol to 6 parts water). |
| Dyes |
On non-washable fabrics try sponging with methylated
spirits with a small amount of ammonia added, the last remnants
can be soaked in a hydrogen peroxide mixture 1 part 20 by vol
to 6 parts water. On washable fabrics soak in enzyme detergent
solution, remove remainder with the hydrogen peroxide mix. |
| Egg |
Scrape
off all possible then sponge with cold salt water and rinse with
clear water to clean off the white, then for the yolk work in
a solution of enzyme detergent, rinse and wipe with a clean napkin
to mop up water. On washable rinse with salt water and soak and
wash in enzyme detergent. Any left over stains use hydrogen peroxide
1 part 20 by vol to 6 parts water. |
| Epoxy resin |
Hold a pad over the deposit. Dab from the wrong side
with cellulose thinners. On synthetic fabrics use lighter fuel.
Stains that have dried can not be removed. |
| Felt tip pen |
Small
marks should be dabbed with methylated spirits, on washable fabrics
wash using soap or soap flakes. On non-washable if methylated
spirits do not work try using neat washing up liquid on a cloth,
rinse with clean water and dry with a paper towel. |
| Flower stains |
Rub with methylated spirits then sponge with warm water. |
| Fountain pen ink |
Act quickly
to prevent the ink drying, sponge with soda water blotting dry
to prevent the ink spreading. Keep this up until no more ink soaks
in to the blotting paper. If a mark remains, squeeze lemon juice
over it and press firmly with a clean paper towel. Repeat as required.
On wool clothes for small remaining stains treat with a mixture
of 25 ml sodium hydrosulphite to 600 water. Do a test first as
it is a bleaching agent. If satisfactory apply in small amounts,
blotting after each application. Rinse with warm water. Washable
articles should be washed in a soap or soap flake solution, not
detergent. |
| Fruit juices |
On non-washable fabrics, wipe off all possible with
a paper towel, sponge with salt water, pat dry then dab with methylated
spirits. On washable rinse under cold tap then stretch stained
part over bowl and pour hot water through it. If it remains work
in glycerine mixture (equal parts glycerine and warm water) leave
for about an hour and then repeat the initial procedure. |
| Grass stains |
On washable
fabrics, dab with methylated spirits then wash as normal. On non-
washable cloths, rub with a mixture of equal parts cream of tartar
powder and cooking salt. Leave for ten minutes then brush clear. |
| Ice cream |
On washable fabrics, soak in enzyme detergent launder
in as hot water as possible. On non-washable, sponge with borax
mixture (15ml borax to 500ml water) If a grease mark remains try
using an enzyme detergent mixture to remove. Remove residual stain
with hydrogen peroxide mixture (1 part 20 by vol to 6 parts water) |
| Iron mould |
Rub with
lemon juice, cover with salt and leave for an hour, rinse with
cold water. |
| Jam or marmalade |
Wipe off the surplus then sponge with a cloth moistened
in a warm water and washing up liquid mixture. If the mark persists
rub on a little borax powder, leave for a few minutes and sponge
clear. |
| Ketchup or bottled sauce |
Scrape
off all possible with the back of a knife. Sponge with a cloth
moistened in a biological detergent mixture, pat dry to avoid
over wetting and spreading the stain. It may be helped by rubbing
with a glycerine and water mixture( 50:50 glycerine and water)
patting dry after application then reverting to the detergent
mixture. On washable fabrics sponge in a warm solution of stergene,
rinse well then wash in biological detergent. |
| Latex adhesive |
While still wet it can be removed with a damp cloth.
Once dry, scrape off the deposit and dab the remaining stain with
either the manufacturers solvent or use Polyclens Plus
paint brush cleaner. Do not use paint stripper as the chemicals
will damage the fabric. |
| Lipstick |
On wool
, scrape off excess, then dab off with eucalyptus oil remove last
traces of colour with methylated spirits. On washable fabrics
rub before washing with glyerine and water mixture. (50:50 water
and warm water). Remaining stains after wash should be soaked
in hydrogen peroxide mixture ( 1 part 20 by vol peroxide to 6
parts water) |
| Mildew |
On leather shoes and cases, Wipe with a cloth moistened
with antiseptic mouth wash. Wipe and buff dry with soft cloth.
On washable fabrics laundering will remove most, persistent stains
can be treated with hydrogen peroxide mixture. (1 part 20 by vol
to 6 parts water) |
| Milk |
Do not
allow to dry or the smell is hard to remove. Wet well with soda
water and dry with a paper towel. Do this a few times until no
sign of milk in water. Washable fabrics should be washed in an
enzyme detergent. Stains can be soaked in hydrogen peroxide mixture
(1 part 20 by vol to 6 parts water). |
| Mustard |
Sponge with a solution of mild detergent and remove
any remaining colour with an ammonia solution (5 ml ammonia to
500 ml water) Blot with a paper towel to avoid over-wetting. |
| Nail varnish |
Wipe
immediately using absorbent paper towel. Where possible hold a
white cloth pad below the stain and dab with amyl acetate. Any
remaining colour can be removed with methylated spirits. Test
amyl acetate first as it is very damaging on some man made fabrics |
| Perspiration |
Mens suits do need professional cleaning but stains
can be removed with a white vinegar, if colour is affected light
rubbing with methylated spirits may help. On washable fabrics
sponge fresh stains with a solution of ammonia (15 ml to 500 ml
warm water) and rinse. Suitable fabrics can be soaked in an enzyme
detergent. White fabrics can be bleached in hydrogen peroxide
mixture (1 part 20 by vol to 6 parts water ). |
| Raspberry |
See fruit juice |
| Scorch marks |
On wool cloths, use glycerine solution (50:50 glycerine
and water) to lubricate light marks, leave for about an hour then
sponge with warm water. On heavier marks sponge with a cloth moistened
with a borax mixture (15 ml borax to 500 ml water), rinse and
repeat. Do not overwet. On some fabrics rubbing over the mark
and surrounding area with a silver coin works by darkening the
whole area slightly, but it must be actual silver. On washable
fabrics light stains should be rubbed fabric to fabric under running
cold water and then soaked in a warm borax mixture (see above).
If a mark remains it can be bleached in a hydrogen peroxide mixture
(1 part 20 vol to 6 parts water). Remember scorching thins the
fabric so it is weakened, bleaching also weakens so do be very
careful. |
| Shellac |
Act quickly
before it can dry and harden. Dab with cotton wool moistened with
methylated spirits. Follow by wiping with a cloth wrung out in
a detergent solution. Finish with clear water and blot dry. On
washable fabrics act immediately by dabbing with methylated spirits
then wash in a detergent solution. Dried shellac may be softened
by wetting it with methylated spirits but the meths. may leave
a mark. |
|
Shoe polish |
Scrape off surplus. Dab with white spirits to dissolve
any remaining particles. Remaining stains can be treated with
methylated spirits and finally rinsed well with clean water and
blotting dry. Washable fabrics use a few drops of ammonia in the
washing water. Heavy marks will have to treated with white spirit
before starting above washing. |
| Soft drinks |
See fruit juice |
| Soups |
See ketchups |
| Sweat |
See perspiration |
| Syrup |
See jams |
| Tar |
Scrape
gently to remove all possible. Soften with a glyerine solution
(50:50 mix) rub well in and leave for about an hour. Dab with
eucalyptus oil or Swarfega hand cleanser holding a paper towel
or an absorbent cloth on underside of fabric, repeat as needed.
|
| Tea |
On non washable fabrics sponge with a borax mixture
( 15 ml borax to 500 ml water) then with clear water . Blot dry.
Use hydrogen peroxide (1 part 20 vol to 6 parts water) to remove
lingering stains. On washable fabrics, rinse in luke warm water
then soak in a borax mixture ( 15 ml borax to 500 ml warm water)
or if suitable an enzyme detergent. Launder as usual. Dried stains
should be rubbed with a glycerine mixture (50:50 glycerine and
water) and left for an hour before starting as above. |
| Tomato juice |
See fruit juice |
| Toner powder |
On washable fabrics, hoover or blow the to remove the
powder, the remaining light marking can be rinsed out using LUKEWARM
water and mild detergent. Hot water will set the stain. Non-washable
fabrics must be dry cleaned by a good cleaner. You must explain
what made the marks or his processes will fix the stain also. |
| Urine |
Fresh
stains should be flushed with soda water then sponge with a vinegar
solution (15ml vinegar to 500ml water). Dried stains can be attempted
by softening with glycerine mixture first (50:50 glycerine and
water) first then as for fresh stains. Washable fabrics should
be soaked in enzyme detergent the washed in enzyme detergent.
Remaining stains can be bleached with hydrogen peroxide (1 part
20 by vol to 6 parts water) |
| Vomit |
Scrape off all possible. On non-washable fabrics, flush
the area with soda water then sponge with an enzyme detergent
mixture. Blot dry and if needed repeat. On washable fabrics, rinse
well under running water. Soak and launder in an enzyme detergent
solution. Stains can be bleached with a hydrogen peroxide mixture
( 1 part 20 by vol to 6 parts water). |
| Wine |
For red
wine first pour white wine on it to help neutralise the stain.
Then flush the area with soda water and blot dry. Repeat until
the there is no sign of wine in the soda water being blotted up.
Dried stains should have a glycerine mixture (50:50 glycerine
and water) rubbed in and left for an hour before starting as for
fresh deposits. Washable fabrics should be rinsed in warm water
soak in a borax mixture (15ml borax to 500ml water) for an hour
or so. Then washed in an enzyme mixture. Remaining stains can
be treated with hydrogen peroxide mixture (1 part 20 by vol hydrogen
peroxide to 6 parts water) |
