How To Remove Mustard From Clothes

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Mustard. It’s tasty, but not when it lands on your clothes.   So if a hotdog falls onto your lap at the family’s reunion, act quickly. This condiment is made with mustard seed and turmeric.  Turmeric, in addition to being a spice, is also used as a dye, which left unattended, will leave a bright and permanent stain on your shorts!

If the stain is fresh and you’re at home, immediately blot the area and apply a stain remover per-treating solution.  Let the garment sit following instructions and rinse off.  Hand wash with warm water and liquid laundry detergent.  Machine wash as usual, air dry (do not put in dryer because heat can set a color).  If the stain persists, soak it in laundry detergent overnight before laundering.

If the stain has set in, remove as much of the dried stain as possible. This will prevent the mustard from spreading when you wet the stain. Next soak the garment in a mixture of equal parts water and vinegar for at least an hour. Then rinse the garment and launder as usual.

An important warning: Never use an ammonia-based cleaner on a mustard stain, as this will do the opposite, make the mustard stain permanent!

As with any type of stain, the sooner you act, the easier it will be to get remove. However, take time to read garment washing instructions so that you don’t make the stain worse or ruin the fabric.  And if ever in question, take it to a dry cleaner.

Beware the Invisible Stain!

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Have you ever discovered a new stain on your clothes after you have picked them up from your local dry cleaner? In almost every case, you’ve become the victim of an invisible stain. So we’re here to help clear up any questions and explain how the new stain on your favorite clothing item magically appeared after visiting your dry cleaner.

What is the cause of an invisible stain?

We’ve all spilled soda, salsa, sauce or some type of food item on our clothes at some point in time.  We try to scrub it out with water or a detergent pen, let it sit, the stain will normally dry after a few moments, and disappears after it dries. You’re relieved and think you’re a stain-fighting super hero!

We hate to burst your bubble, but unfortunately, the stain is still there, hidden deep in the fabric – it has become invisible, only to reappear when you least expect.

What’s the deal? How do stains come and go?

The secret is heat. Heat is notorious for making sugar stains caramelize and oil stains oxidize and will turn your invisible stain into a noticeable eyesore almost instantly. Once the stained garment is ironed or placed in the dryer or under the iron, the stain you thought you had taken care of immediately comes back to the surface!

How can I eliminate this type of stain?

It’s very difficult to remove these stubborn stains after they are formed, but not impossible. As usual, you should address the stain immediately once a spill takes place and bring the garment to your dry cleaner’s attention as soon as possible. A trained professional at Deluxe Cleaners will be able to help you save your garment!

Proper Clothing Care – General Tips

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clothing care - how to wash clothes - deluxe cleaners, birmingham, al Here are a few quick tips to help you decide what to do the next time your favorite clothing item gets stained:

  • Use caution in storing clothes. In order for them to retain their shape and freshness, the clothing needs some breathing room. Never hang sweaters over a hanger as they can be stretched out of shape. Instead, store them folded. Provide time for a wet or damp coat to dry before it is hung in the closet.
  • Remove the cleaner’s bags before hanging clothes to allow for air. If you are concerned about dust, cut enough of the bag to just cover the shoulder and allow the remainder of the garment access to air.
  • Use proper hanging techniques. Jackets should be unbuttoned on a wishbone hanger and not a wire one. Make sure that all heavy or bulky items are out of the garment so it retains its shape.
  • Use gentle brushing to keep dirt from settling into the fabric.
  • Do not iron dirty or stained clothes to prevent setting of stains.
  • If clothes need to be stored with mothballs, do not let them contact the clothes. Place the mothballs in a separate cloth or paper bag.
  • Allow time to dry before getting dressed when applying deodorants or other scents to the body. If wearing silk, use underarm shields to prevent stains.
  • Protect clothing from excess sunlight that can cause fading.

 

If you have a question about a specific type of stain or issue with your garment, please contact us before playing the stain guessing game!

Tips For Treating General Clothing Stains

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Deluxe Cleaners, Dry Clean Birmingham, Stain Removal tipsRemoving tough stains can feel as difficult as a really involved algebra equation.  Once you have actually determined the type of stain that you are dealing with, the fabric requirements and color scheme, the actual stain removal process can feel impossible.  These 10 basic rules for getting stains out will help you to keep your clothes in phenomenal condition.

1.  Take Immediate Action
Addressing stains while they are still fresh help to make removing them much easier.  Take control by addressing stains as quickly after they occur as is possible.  If you have stained a fabric that is non-machine washable, they should be taken to the dry cleaners right away.  You should inform the dry cleaners about the stain and detail how the stain occurred.

2.  Adhere To Instructions

If you are using a stain removal product, make certain to adhere to the manufacturer’s instructions.  You should also follow the directions on the actual articles as well.

3.  Conduct Hidden Tests

Never simply slather a stain removal product on your clothes.  Instead, test a small amount on a hidden area of the garment before using it to make certain that no color change occur.

4.  Perform Stain Removal From The Back

Lay the item on top of a clean cloth while upside down.  The cloth should be white.  The stain treatment should be applied to the back of the stain.

5.  Use Care With Dry Cleaning Solvents

Garments that have been treated with dry cleaning solvents should be thoroughly rinsed and air dried.  These can create a fire hazard when place in washing machines.  These solvents should never be added directly to washing machines.

6.  Avoid Bleaching Out Color

If you only bleach the stain, this can cause uneven coloration.  Use instead, the appropriate bleaching solution as per the garment instructions.

7.  Avoid Mixing Products

If you mix different products you risk the release of toxic fumes and may obtain undesirable results on your clothing.

8.  Wash Items That Have Been Stain Treated

The articles that you have treated with stain removal solutions should be thoroughly washed.

9.  Practice Patience

Some stains will take time to remove and you may even have to perform repeat treatments.  Check each garment carefully before drying them in order to avoid allowing the stain to set before retreating.

10.  Accept That Some Stains Are Permanent

There are simply some stains that cannot be removed, regardless of the removal method that is employed.  Using the other nine above-mentioned steps, however, can help to keep this process simple and effective.

Don’t hesitate to call us or bring your stained clothing in for a professional opinion. We’ve saved many clothes from the graveyard and would be happy to assist you in any way we can!