Especially if you've got young children or you entertain a lot, soiling your fabric sofa or rug with wine, oil or sweat stains is almost unavoidable. Here are some tips and remedies on how to remove these common stains in the home:
Wine and fruit juice stains
Put salt on the stain and pour cold soda water on it. Wash with a mild cleanser such as liquid castile soap.
Sweat stains
Make a paste of baking soda and water. Apply to the stain and let it stand for 20 minutes before washing. For collar and underarm stains, use a mixture of 1/4 cup vinegar with one tablespoon of baking soda. Fresh tea or coffee stains Pour boiling water on it. If it’s stubborn, wash with a mild soap.
Blood stains
Wash immediately in cold water.
Heavily-soiled socks
Boil them in hot water with a few drops of lemon juice to get back the whiteness they had when new.
Oil and grease stains
Sprinkle cornstarch or baking soda on the stain. Place the garment, stain side down, on an old piece of cloth placed on top of an ironing board. Iron the wrong side of the stain with a hot iron. The heat will help most oil and grease stains dissolve and come right out.
Remember, work on the stains as soon as possible or they may become deeply embedded in the fibres!