Getting Rid of Summer Stains

Ah! Summer is finally here!

Oh no! Summer is here!

How you feel about summer, that is if you are happy about its arrival or feel it will just bring more cleaning for you, often depends on whether or not you know how to handle those tricky summer stains that invariably accompany summer time. Summer time is filled with lots of fun outdoor activities which can lead to a multitude of summer stains, like ice cream, grass, tanning lotion, ice pops, juices, and more. Today, let’s take the time to explore summer’s most difficult stains and how to eliminate them, so you can enjoy all the sights and sounds of summer with your family and friends.

Grass Stains

No doubt, grass stains can be tough but if you begin by brushing the excess off first, you’ll be well on your way to removing the stain. After brushing, rinse the garment in cold water to dilute the stain as well as keep it from setting. Next, pre-treat the stain with your favorite detergent or stain treatment product and let it remain for at least 20 minutes. Now, you are ready to wash in warm water as you normally would. If the stain was really tough and remains after washing, don’t toss it in the dryer. Instead repeat the process a second time to successfully remove stubborn grass stains.

Dirt

Along with grass stain, dirt may be one of summer’s peskiest and most common stains. The dirt stain removal process begins with brushing away dirt and rinsing the clothing in cold water, just like with grass stains. This time add 1.5 tablespoons of your favorite liquid laundry detergent to one gallon of water and soak the dirt stained clothing for 30 minutes. Once the soaking is complete, wash as usual. And remember, if the stain doesn’t come out completely on the first washing, don’t dry it, but repeat the steps again to remove it totally.

Sweat Stains and Antiperspirant Buildup

These two tough stains go hand in hand and appear most frequently on light colored summer shirts and tanks. To remove sweat stains and antiperspirant buildup, begin by rinsing the stains with cold water for at least 15 seconds. Now pretreat your stains with your favorite liquid detergent or stain treatment product for a minimum of 15 minutes. Finally, wash your garment in the hottest water safe for your fabric, with your laundry detergent and fabric-safe bleach.

Sunscreen Stains

Try to remove excess sunscreen from your clothes, towels, or swimsuits, by rinsing in cold water. Apply your favorite liquid detergent to the sunscreen stain and wash the stained garments or towels on the hottest temperature safe for the fabric. As always, if the stain doesn’t come out on the first try, repeat the process again before you toss any garment in the dryer!

Ice Cream, Ice Pops, and Fruit Juice

It wouldn’t be summer with out these refreshing summertime treats, but drips and spills do happen, so how do you remove them easily? First of all, you’ll want to apply cold water right away, rinsing completely if possible. Next, pretreat with liquid laundry detergent or your favorite stain pre-treater as soon as you can, leaving it to sit for 20 minutes. Next machine wash according to fabric label directions to remove the stain.

Ketchup and Mustard Stains

The favorite condiments of summer, ketchup and mustard both stain quickly. To keep them from setting into your clothing, blot excess away and apply cold water to the area. If laundry detergent is available, apply some right away. If not pretreat the stain with your favorite laundry detergent or prewash stain remover when you get home, letting the pretreatment remain for at least 20 minutes. Finally wash with your favorite detergent to get rid of these tough stains.

When working to remove stains from your clothing or other fabric items, be sure to check the care label for washing instructions and follow those directions for laundering your garments, linens, or towels. Remember, the longer a stain has to set in the fabric, the harder it will be to remove, so cleaning and washing as soon as possible is the best approach.