How to get Food Stains Out
While we try to mind our manners and make sure every bite of food reaches our mouths, accidents happen. Spilling food on your clothes may create a messy and sometimes sticky stain, but it’s not the end of the world. In fact, it doesn’t even have to be a small crisis. With the right stain remover and the right tips, you can get rid of these stains easily.
Types of Food Stains
The first thing you need to do when you have a stain is identify what it is. Some stains are harder to get out than others, especially when foods are tomato-based, like spaghetti sauces and pizza sauces. Other stains can be just as frustrating though, whether they come from barbecue sauces, jelly, pasta, cheese, chicken or junk food. So, how do you get rid of them?
Getting Food Stains Out: Step by Step
- Choose a stain remover and detergent from the Dynamo Professional range of Liquids
- Remove as much solid material as possible
- Flush the back of the stain with cool water
- Apply the detergent to the food stain and let sit
- Wash and rinse in the hottest water temperature possible for the fabric
- Check to see if the stain has faded away
Choose a Detergent and Stain Remover
Take a look at the label on the clothing first and make sure it is washable. If so, use a Dynamo Professional detergent of your choice. For fine and delicate fabrics, consider washing with a sensitive detergent.
Pre-treat the Area
First, scrape off as much solid food as you can with a spoon or a blunt knife. Then, turn the garment inside out. Flush the back of the stain with cool water. Return the garment to its original state and apply your stain remover and detergent to the stain. Let this sit for three to five minutes.
Wash and Rinse
Without rinsing the detergent off, place the clothing in the washer and wash at the highest possible temperature that is safe for the fabric. You can find this information on the garment care label.
Check the Stain After Washing
If the stain isn’t completely gone after you wash it, do not put it in the dryer. Instead, soak the garment in a mixture of your detergent and water for a couple of hours, then wash it again.
How to get Food Stains Out of Special Laundry Types and Fabrics
Removing food stains from most shirts and pants is as simple as following the above steps. However, pay close attention to the maintenance label on any garment or other laundry items you need to clean. This label will tell you whether the fabric is washable and whether it is machine washable. If it isn’t washable, spot treat the food stain following the steps above. When you get to the wash step, rinse the area with hot water and blot dry with a paper towel. Repeat as needed.
If the fabric is washable, but delicate, use a sensitive detergent and hand wash after pre-treating.
Getting Food Stains out of Red, Yellow and White Clothes
Avoid using bleach and lemon juice as alternatives for removing stains from clothes. While these stain removers may work on some fabrics and colours, they can damage others.
Miss your mouth while enjoy your last meal? Don’t worry! Removing food stains from clothing isn’t as hard as you might think.