Stain Removal Tips | Tips for Using Bleaches for Stain Removal

STAIN REMOVAL TIPS

Your Guide to the Most Common Types of Stains and What You Can Do for Removing Stains

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Tips for Using Bleaches for Stain Removal

Bleach is available in liquid, powdered, and gel forms. The gel formulation is offered specifically as a stain removal aid. If you use a gel, do not let it dry on a fabric before laundering.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is the mildest bleach. It is used as a bleach for human hair, but not commonly for stain removal.

All-Fabric Bleach for Stain Removal

All-fabric bleaches may be liquid or powder. They are usually advertised as safe for all fabrics and colors. All-fabric bleaches work more slowly than liquid chlorine bleach. Commercial product formulations often change, so read the labels, but they often contain sodium perborate or sodium percarbonate.

Liquid Chlorine Bleach for Stain Removal

The liquid chlorine bleach commonly found in supermarkets and drugstores is a 5.25 percent solution of sodium hypochlorite. It is a powerful whitener and sanitizer for bleach-safe fabrics. Liquid chlorine bleach must be diluted with water for safe use on fabrics; never use it full-strength (without dilution) on fabric. Unless diluted, liquid chlorine bleach can dissolve wool and silk.

More Tips Before Using Bleach for Stain Removal

Do not bleach wool, silk, spandex, polyurethane foam, rubber, or garments with rubber or spandex elastic.

Bleach, even when diluted, weakens cellulose fibers such as cotton, linen, hemp, rayon, etc., after repeated use.

Never pour full-strength liquid chlorine bleach into a load of laundry; it can fade the colors and weaken the fabrics.

Assuming the bleach is fresh, a stain should come out within about 15 minutes. If the stain does not come out within 15 minutes, it never will, and further bleaching will just weaken the fabric.

Liquid chlorine bleach has a limited shelf life. Bleach more than six months old may have no effect on stains. Diluted fresh bleach whitens clothing within minutes.

Testing a Fabric for Colorfastness

Before dunking an entire garment into a liquid chlorine bleach solution, you may want to test it first for colorfastness. Mix one tablespoon of bleach with 1/4 cup of water. Use a cotton swab to put a drop of this solution on a hidden seam inside the garment. Let it stand for two minutes, then blot dry. If no color change occurs, it is safe to use to bleach the garment.

For powdered bleaches, see the directions on the packages to see how to do colorfastness tests.

Disclaimer

Note that many stains cannot be removed. Some stain removal chemicals, agents, or even commercial stain removal products can damage or discolor fabrics, making the result even worse.

If you have any doubt as to the safety of your fabric or the fabric color, test the chemical(s) or product(s) you want to use to remove stains on an inconspicuous location on the garment.

If in doubt, consult a professional cleaning service.

No liability is assumed -- use this advice at your own risk.

Stain Removal Tips | Tips for Using Bleaches for Stain Removal