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Tips for stain removal from your needlework fabricStain removal is something we don't want to have to do but however careful we are when stitching there are still occasions when accidents happen and our precious embroidery is at risk from stains of all types. If you know how to deal with them straight away, all is not lost.The golden rule is to act quickly. You may want to print this page and keep it handy, just in case! Got a stain problem? Ask other visitors for help! General tips for stain removal
Types of stainStains can generally be classified into one of five types:
Useful store cupboard essentials for removing stainsWe don't always have commercial stain removers to hand when we need them, but there are many things that are likely to be in the store cupboard that can help remove stains.
VinegarMy Aunt Ev used to swear by vinegar for cleaning all sorts of things. I can remember her screwing up newspapers and soaking them in vinegar to clean the windows. But I digress . .White vinegar is useful for a number of stain removal purposes. Tea stains can be treated by:
If your fabric has yellowed with age you can soak it in a solution of 1 part white vinegar to 12 parts warm water overnight. Then wash as normal the next day. If you have fabric or clothing with dried in stains try making up a solution of 3tbsp white distilled vinegar and 2 tbs liquid detergent in 1 litre warm water and rubbing it into the stain. Blot it dry before washing as normal.
Bicarbonate of sodaWe all perspire, especially if we are stitching in hot, sticky weather. Perspiration, if allowed to remain in fabrics, can eventually stain. It can also damage and weaken the fabric fibres. One way to deal with this problem is to mix bicarbonate of soda into a paste with cold water, then use it to cover the area. Leave it on the fabric for around 30 minutes, then if necessary, soak in detergent before washing as normal. This method is also useful for removing grease stains, such as butter, margarine, cooking oil or mayonnaise.
Lemon juiceA fresh lemon or a bottle of lemon juice is a handy thing to keep in the cupboard.Try cutting your lemon into slices and rubbing with it to remove ink from fabric. (Believe it or not you can also try rubbing an ink stain with half a ripe tomato before washing as normal.) Or you can go back to our trusty white vinegar (2 parts), mixed with cornflour (3 parts) to make a paste which you apply to the ink and allow to dry thoroughly before washing. Have you ever put a piece of needlework away with the needle still in the fabric? When you come back to the project, maybe many months (or years?) later, you may find that the needle has rusted causing a nasty stain. Although it is difficult to remove rust from fabric this is one method that you can try.
SaltHave you ever pricked your finger on your needle and before you knew it dripped blood onto your work? I know I have. Blood stains can be difficult to remove if left, so quickly dissolve lots of salt in cold water and soak the affected area. It sounds horrid, but you can also remove a tiny spot of blood by using your own saliva! (It has to be the saliva of the person who bled.) Again dabbing the area with white vinegar can remove blood spots from your fabric. Remember to dab again afterwards with a damp cloth to remove the smell. Then wash as usual.
Soda waterSoda water can be sprayed or dabbed onto red wine to prevent it staining. Of course other accidents can happen to your needlework if you are drinking red wine whilst stitching!
Methylated spiritMy Dad always kept a bottle of meths in the cupboard to fill our tilly lamp that we used when camping. It has other uses though.Soak a cloth in methylated spirit and dab onto stains like ballpoint pen, crayon or lipstick to remove them.
Stain Removal SurgeryIf you have a problem removing stains from your needlework or clothing why not ask for help and advice here? Or maybe you have had a problem and found a way to solve it?Make use of this page help each other. Let's build it into a fantastic resource of stain removal knowledge, share our successes and commiserate when we can't find a solution. Click here to see if you can help other people with their stain problems Would you like some advice on how to deal with a stain?
What Other Visitors Have SaidClick below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...
Olive oil on my needlepoint
dusty embroidery picture
help!!! red wine stain
hoop stains on embroidery
Moldy needlepoint canvases
removing iron mould from old lace
Fabric stained by the thread colour
Holiday clothes
grape juice/non-alcoholic wine stain
Water Stains from Old Embroidery?
Don't throw it across the room!
Removing mould stains
how to remove a pop stain
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Yellow stain from cardboard on a piece of needlework- HELP!
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How do I remove stains from DMC floss?
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Old pieces of hand-embroidery that are stained
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rust on cross stitch fabric
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Blood
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Cleaning an old embroidery
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