Removing Stains
TIPical Mary Ellen : Episode TIP-1311 -- More Projects »
It isn't a party until something gets spilled, but don't panic. TIPical Mary Ellen host Mary Ellen Pinkham shares solutions for removing even the toughest stains from clothing, linens and furniture.
- To remove barbecue sauce from white napkins or towels (figure A), stir 1/4 cup dishwashing detergent and 1/4 cup bleach in two quarts cold water. Add the stained napkins and let sit for an hour or two. Rinse, then machine-wash as usual, using a cold- water rinse.
To remove a berry stain, stretch the stained area of fabric taut over a bowl and secure with a rubber band (figure B). Hold a kettle of boiling water about one foot over the bowl. Pour a steady stream of the water right onto the stain. The combination of the heat and pressure removes the stain like magic.Remove ketchup on clothing by rubbing with a stain stick. Just rub the stain between your fingers and launder as usual. If you have a grease stain from gravy, butter or salad dressing, do not rub. Start by sponging the dry fabric with a citrus cleaner. Blot until the stain disappears.
Remove mustard stains by applying a few drops of glycerin (figure C) to the stain and rubbing between two fingers. The glycerin should loosen the stain. Rinse with water and launder as usual.Rinse red-wine stains in warm water or with club soda. Soak the item of clothing or table linens in a solution that combines two tablespoons laundry borax with two cups of warm water. Let set, then launder as usual. Lipstick on napkins can be removed by sponging with denatured alcohol and then liquid dishwashing soap. Follow by laundering as usual.
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