At Ace Electric we sell a large number of washing machines each month. But do you buy the machine or is what you really want is clean clothes, minimum hassle, reliability and value? Clothes are important to us – they say more about us than we often realise. Many of us take a lot of care in our presentation. So we know how annoying clothes stains can be.
Stains are something that we can all related to. Our favourite top has got a stain on it – why that one?! The good news is you can banish stains from clothes in many cases. Here’s what you need to do.
Check the fabric care label
Clothes are made from many different textiles and materials. Some need more care than others, whether you’re doing your routine laundry or treating them for stains. Check the care label first. Certain stain removal techniques can damage delicates like silk, wool, cashmere, and synthetics. This means that although it should be safe to gently blot the stain as soon as it happens, they may need to be hand-washed or dry-cleaned.
When you notice a stain take action straight away
Blotting the stain gently with a cool, damp cloth or tissue as soon as it happens should soak up excess liquid and stop it soaking in. Work from the outside of the stain in and don’t scrub as this can spread the stain.
Blood stain.
Soak in cold water. If the stain is fresh, put it under cold running water to flush the blood away. Rub it gently by hand with a bar of soap – again in cold water – to remove as much as you can before washing. Dried-in blood stains may need soaking in cold water with salt for several hours. Always check the fabric care label first.
Red wine stain
After blotting, press salt against the stained, damp fabric to absorb the stain. Brush off the salt and, if necessary, repeat the steps above to lift as much of the stain as you can before washing.
Pre-treat stains before washing in your machine
If the fabric can be machine washed, spot-treat the stain just before you load. There’s a wide range of pre-wash stain removers on the market to choose from depending on the stain source. But you might prefer to pre-treat the stain with laundry detergent or a paste of bicarbonate of soda and water. The best thing to do is to check the fabric care label first.
Stain removers and your washing machine
Some stain-removing products are designed to be added to your washing machine. But remember: individual stains such as blood, red wine and chocolate should still be pre-treated before you wash.
Wash stained clothes in cool or cold water
Never use hot water for stained laundry (even after pre-treating) as this can set the stain in for good. Instead, use a high-quality laundry detergent designed to wash effectively at lower temperatures. Plus, don’t overload your washing machine, as this will stop the detergent and water from doing their job.
Some washing machines have a stain removal programme – but it is not standard. It might be worth checking if your machine has this feature.
Check clothes for stains ahead of tumble drying
When unloading your washing machine, check everything is sparkling clean before using a tumble dryer. This is because tumble drying stained clothing, even on a low heat, can set the stain. Instead, pre-treat and wash again.
Whether it’s sports practice, kids mess, or cooking spills, if your day-to-day life tends to result in lots of stained clothes, why not call us on 01252623163 and talk to one of our experts about a washing machine to help you tackle the stains and extend the life of your clothes?
