7 Stain Removal Mistakes To AVOID At All Costs
Stains are a completely normal part of life. But they are also a huge pain to get out and deal with in general. And they can become an even greater pain if you get at them the wrong way. What could have been a small stain can easily become a huge, un-cleanable mess. The last thing you want to do is make the problem worse than it already is. That’s why you need to know what common stain removal mistakes to avoid.
Stains are a completely normal part of life
Common Stain Removal Mistakes
You may know how to get rid of certain stains such as yellow pit stains, slime, sharpie and so on, but do you know what you mustn’t do when it comes to stains?
Wine stains are some of the most annoying to get out
#Hot Water
Yeaaa, well. This may seem like the logical option, however it’s one of the most common mistakes you can make. Flushing out a stain with some warm or hot water can have the opposite effect. Warm water is more likely to set in the stain, especially if it’s something like blood. If you are going to wash a stain, make sure to use cold water.
Flushing out a stain with some warm or hot water can have the opposite effect
#Rubbing
We’ve all been there. You get a stain, panic starts to set in, and you start to rub at it. This not only makes the stain spread much further, but you’ll also damage your fabric’s weave. If you are going to go at the stain remember – dab, don’t rub!
You get a stain, panic starts to set in, and you start to rub at it
#Wrong Remover
Stain removers are a lifesaver. That is if you are using the right one. Stains in general fall in two categories: oil-based or tannin-based. Tannin-based stains come from things such as tea, grass, wine, and coffee. Oil-based stains are from makeup, oils, salad dressing, and pit stains. If you use the wrong remover, you just won’t get the stain out. Some removers are also material based, so you if you use normal remover on a leather couch, you may ruin it. Make sure you are using the right remover.
Stain removers are a lifesaver if you are using the right one
#Using Soap
But isn’t soap supposed to clean things? Well yes, but soapy detergents and soap flakes will set in stains that are oil-based. So, if you spill some coffee and go straight with soap on it, you will create yourself more hassle than anything else. Always make sure to start off by rinsing with cold water, and then you may proceed with the soap.
Soapy detergents and soap flakes will set in stains that are oil-based
#Salt
This is a really common mistake. Who started the myth that putting salt on oil stains will help you get them out? Salt is actually much more likely to set in a stain than do anything else. It sets it quite permanently. Once again start with cold water and then follow up with a stain remover. Don’t trust salt to fix the problem.
Salt is actually much more likely to set in a stain than do anything else
#Too Much Remover
There is such a thing as too much remover. While you may feel like more is better when it comes to stain remover, that isn’t the case. Make sure to not mix different removers as mixing a ton of chemicals can create harmful gases which you do not want to breathe in. Using too much of one remover can also make the area harder to rinse out and dry. Repeated, light application of a remover will work much better than flooding it.
While you may feel like more is better when it comes to stain remover, that isn’t the case
#Leaving It For Later
The key to tackling a stain is to act fast. Don’t leave it with the idea that you’ll take care of it later. The quicker you get to it, the larger your chances are to get rid of it. Get rid of any solids off with a blunt knife and blot off the liquid.
The quicker you get to it, the larger your chances are to get rid of it
These were some of the most common stain removal mistakes. We hope you found this article useful. Now you’ll know that not to do when a stain comes your way and what you should be doing instead.
Now you’ll know that not to do when a stain comes your way
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