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Removing Mac and Cheese Stains

Mac and Cheese is a simple yet delicious meal to prepare. The bowl of deliciousness typically includes milk, butter, macaroni, and plenty of cheese! It’s hard to complain about the meal – it’s a crowd-pleaser but when it lands on your clothes, it is an unpleasant feeling! One minute you’re enjoying a rich taste of gooey deliciousness and the next minute you’re thinking about removing mac and cheese stains!

Mac And Cheese

How to remove Mac and cheese stains, I hear you cry? Don’t panic, we’ve got you covered!

Fresh Stains

If you immediately are aware of the mac and cheese stain, simply wipe it with a paper towel. It won’t get rid of it entirely, but it does help at the start.

Just like any other food stain, the first step in removing mac and cheese stains is to act fast the second you see the stains. The longer you wait, the harder it will be to remove it.

Rinse with cold water

Afterwards, simply mix cold water with a tablespoon of white vinegar on it and pour it onto the stained mac and cheese area and wait for 5 minutes.

Removing mac and cheese stains does require patience so after 5 minutes, rinse the area again with cold water and dry it with a towel.

Dried Stains

To cover all bases and prepare you for both scenarios, we’ll also show you how to remove dried mac and cheese stains in case you noticed them late on your clothes.

What you need is a brush, cloth, and laundry stain remover.

Use a brush

To begin with, use a brush to scrape off as much of the stain as possible. Remember, if the stain is dry, it’s slightly tricky to remove it but it’s not impossible.

Blot the stained area with a wet cloth

Secondly, pour some cold water onto a cloth and start blotting the area.

Apply Laundry Stain Remover

As always with any clothing, prepare with caution and care. Make sure you read the labels on your clothes to be sure you are following care instructions.

If you’re happy to do so, apply a laundry stain remover onto the stained area and wait for around 5-10 minutes.

Launder your garment

Finally, put the garment into the laundry and wait for the cycle to finish. Once it’s done, dry it up on a clothesline or drying rack.

You now have the guide to removing fresh and dried mac and cheese stains!

If you are still uncertain about removing mac and cheese stains, get in touch with Laundryheap and we’ll handle it for you! We’ll launder your garment and return it back to you within 24 hours!

Laundry Service to help you remove mac and cheese stains

To learn more about Laundryheap, visit our website or download the free app on iOS or Android.


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How To Remove Fried Chicken Stains

Fried chicken is tasty. It looks great on your plate but not so much on your favourite shirt when fried chicken accidentally slips from your hand! Food stains on your clothes will fill you with a sense of dread but not to worry, we’re here to show you how to remove fried chicken stains!

Remove Fried Chicken Stains
Photo by Tim Samuel (from Pexels).

1. Avoid Wiping or Rubbing The Stain

The first step to removing fried chicken stains is to avoid wiping or rubbing the stain when it lands on your clothes. By doing this, you’ll push the stain deeper into your fabric and thus making it difficult to remove.

2. Clean The Stained Area

To remove fried chicken stains, clean the stained area as soon as possible. The sooner you clean, the less dry it will get. If you’re in the middle of eating your fried chicken, it’s best to pause briefly and take the time to clean the stain.

3. Scrape it With a Butter Knife (if dry)

If you happened to spot the fried chicken stains late and it’s become dry on your clothes, you need to get a butter knife and scrape it off gently. Make sure you’re not scraping it onto a carpet so try to go to a kitchen sink and start scraping to remove the fried chicken stains.

4. Absorb The Fried Chicken Stain

To make your laundry work as seamless as possible, pour some baby powder, corn starch and baking soda to absorb the oily parts of the fried chicken stain. After 15 minutes, start brushing the stained area.

  • Pour Liquid Detergent

In addition, put some liquid detergent into the stained area and gently rub the fabric together for cleaner results. Ideally, it’s best to wait 15 or 30 minutes before moving to the next step.

  • Start Rinsing

Once you are happy with the results so far, start washing your garment with hot water (as recommended for fabrics).

5. Inspect The Laundry

After you’ve finished rinsing your garment, check to see If the fried chicken stains are gone. If you are satisfied with the results, hang your garment either on the garden clothesline or on a drying rack. We advise against putting your chicken fried-stained clothes in the dryer as the high heat does make the stains harder to remove.

You now have the guide to removing fried chicken stains from your clothes. Nonetheless, you shouldn’t let a chicken fried stain ruin your eating experience, especially on national fried chicken day!

Enjoy your fried chicken and if there are any stains on your top, just get in touch with Laundryheap and we’ll clean it for you!

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To learn more about Laundryheap, visit our website or download the free app on iOS or Android.


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How To Remove Ice Cream Stains

For most, ice cream is a summer treat; the sound of the ice cream van brings joy and the temptation to buy ice cream during an evening walk is too much to resist. However, with every dessert, spillage on clothes is common and ice cream is no different. If you’re worried about your favourite top being ruined, no stress! We’re here to teach you how to remove ice cream stains!

Remove Ice Cream Stains
Image from Shutterstock.com

Treat the Stain Immediately

The trick to removing ice cream stains is to treat them right away to avoid the stain settling into the fabric. If you freeze now, the ice cream stain will dry; making it difficult to remove!

Read Label Instructions

As usual with any clothing material, read the instructions to make sure you aren’t handling it incorrectly. Every material needs different care.

Scrape off the Ice Cream

Get a spoon or butter knife to scrape off the ice cream and then turn your clothes inside out and put them in cold water to make sure there is little ice cream left. It’s worth noting that you must avoid using hot water because ice cream is a protein product.

Place Clothes In The Washing Machine

Once you’re done scraping off the ice cream stain, pour laundry detergent into the stain and then soak in cold water for 15 minutes.

Afterwards, put it in the washing machine. It is highly recommended you choose a cool wash setting for better results.

Put In Dryer

Once the washing cycle is complete, either put your garment on the clothesline or dryer but first double-check if the stain is completely gone!

Extra Tips

Ice cream is commonly eaten outside on a picnic or at the beach. If ice cream drips on your clothes outdoors, go to a nearby toilet or bathroom and use soap and cold water to treat it. It may not do the job immediately but once you are home, place it in the washer!

Ice Cream at the beach

Encountering ice cream spills is inevitable but that shouldn’t stop you from enjoying your summer and your ice cream! Now that you know the best way to remove ice cream stains, you will be better prepared next time!

If you need a hand, book a service with Laundryheap and we’ll cool off your ice cream worries and remove the ice cream stains!

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Visit Laundryheap’s website to book a service or download the free app on iOS or Android!


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How To Remove Egg Stains

Eggs, whether for breakfast or as chocolate Easter eggs, always look good on a plate but they don’t look good on your clothes. If you’ve spilt eggs on your clothes, no stress! To egg you on, we’re going to guide you on how to remove egg stains from your clothes!

remove egg stains
Image from Shutterstock.com

What You’ll Need to Remove Egg Stains

Before we get cracking, these are the list of supplies you will need to remove the egg stains:

  • Spoon (or a butter knife)
  • Brush
  • Water (salt is optional)
  • Liquid Laundry detergent

Instructions on Removing Egg Stains

After you’ve got all your supplies ready, it’s time to rescue your clothes!

  1. Firstly, use your spoon to remove the egg stain from the outside of your clothes. Don’t worry too much about the inside of your fabric for now. Scraping the stained part to remove as much of the egg as possible. This also works with a butter knife.
  • When you’ve done scraping with a spoon, proceed to rinse your egg-stained clothes with cold water and start scraping the egg-stained part to soften it.

Additionally, we strongly advise against using hot water. Eggs are protein; hot water will only cook the protein and will damage the fabric!

  • After you’ve used a spoon and finished rinsing your clothes, we recommend putting a laundry detergent (read the label first) on the egg-stained part for better and cleaner results. Simply pour a detergent directly onto the egg stain and using the same brush as before, spread it out. It’s important to stay patient as egg stains do need care and attention.
  • Fourthly, you will need to load your egg-stained clothes into the washing machine. To make the cleaning process more seamless, don’t rinse off the liquid detergent.

However, before you do load, always read the labels on your clothes for better care.

  • Moreover, place the correct amount of liquid detergent into the washing machine. If you feel unsure about the correct dose, use a pre-treat cap to guide you.
  • Start your washing machine with the regular cycle and the hottest temperature (depending on the instructions and labels on your clothes.
  • After your cycle is finished, unload to check if the egg stains are removed. If you’re happy with the results, start to dry your clothes!

Yes, you will have an egg on your face when you realise there are egg stains on your clothes but you are now equipped with a guide to remove egg stains next time this situation occurs!

If you need help to get remove the eggs, book with us, choose a collection day and we’ll have your clothes returned to you within 24 hours! No stress, no hassle and no more egg stains!

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For any other laundry chores, visit Laundryheap’s website to book a service with us or download the free Laundryheap app on iOS or Android!


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Common stain removal faux pas

Photo by Sarah Chai from Pexels

When we stain our clothes we go into panic mode. We want to get the stain out as fast as possible and in the easiest way. This, however, can lead to us making the situation much worse. These are some of the most common stain removal faux pas to avoid. 

  • Leaving it 
  • Rubbing not blotting
  • Using hot water
  • Not spot testing 
  • Using too much solution 
  • Throwing bleach at the situation 
  • Drying before checking 

Leaving it 

Although tempting, the worst thing to do when you notice a stain is to leave it. The longer you put off pre-treating a stain the more it will set into the fibres of your garment, making it much more difficult to remove when you do get round to lifting it. Instead, as soon as you notice a stain, treat it. This will save you a lot of time and effort. 

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels

Rubbing not blotting 

One of the worst things to do when treating a stain is to rub rather than blot it. Regardless of what the stain is, rubbing will only set it further into the fibres of your clothing, making it more difficult to remove. Blotting, on the other hand, gently lifts as much of the loose stain as possible without forcing it into your garment. 

Photo by Ron Lach from Pexels

Using hot water 

As a rule of thumb, never use hot, or even warm, water on a stain. Hot and warm water will only cook your stain into your clothing, making it much harder to remove. If your stain is protein-based, such as milk, hot water will curdle the protein and make it near impossible to lift. Instead, use cold water to flush out and soak stains, unless it is specifically mentioned that hot water should be used. 

Not spot testing 

If you don’t spot test before using any stain removal product then you risk permanently staining your garment. A spot test is when you apply a small amount of the stain remover to a hidden area on your garment, such as an inside seam, to test if it will cause any permanent damage, such as bleaching, to your item. It is a fool-proof way to avoid causing damage in the stain removal process. 

Photo by Karolina Grabowska from Pexels

Using too much solution 

It may seem logical to use as much stain remover as possible to lift your stain, but the opposite is in fact true. Using a lot of stain remover on one small stain can cause irreversible damage to your clothing, and may not even lift the stain. Instead, use the suggested amount of remover and complete the full stain removal process. If this doesn’t work continue repeating the process until your stain is lifted. 

Photo by Anna Shvets from Pexels

Throwing bleach at the situation

Bleach is a very powerful cleaning agent and can be very effective at removing stains. That being said, it can also cause lasting damage to your garment. Before attempting to lift your stain using bleach first look for alternative methods that use less harmful products. If you can’t find any alternative treatments, make sure that bleach is the safest option for your clothing- this is especially important if your stain is on coloured clothing. Finally, if bleach is safe to use on your stained garment, only use a small amount. Bleach is incredibly powerful and only a small amount is necessary to lift stains. 

Photo by Nothing Ahead from Pexels

Drying before checking 

Once you have completed a stain removal treatment and washed your garment, check that the stain has been completely removed before drying your item. If your stain has not been removed you need to repeat the stain removal process. Drying your garment will only cause the remainder of your stain to set further into the fibres of your clothing, making it harder to lift. 

Photo by Ron Lach from Pexels

The easiest way to remove stains, and avoid making any stain removal faux pas, is by letting Laundryheap take care of your stained items for you. Book your Laundryheap order today by heading to the Laundryheap website or downloading the free Laundryheap app.


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The 5 stains of Christmas- the dessert edition

Photo by Tim Douglas from Pexels

Once you have filled yourself with Christmas dinner, almost to the point of explosion, there is only one thing left to do- eat dessert. If you get a dollop of dessert on your Christmas outfit, don’t worry, because this handy guide will help you to remove the stain. 

  • Brandy butter
  • Mincemeat 
  • Double cream
  • Jelly 
  • Toffee sauce

Brandy butter 

Brandy butter is the perfect accompaniment to your Christmas dessert, especially if you’re having a Christmas pudding. Its combination of butter and alcohol though makes it a tricky stain to lift.  

To lift your brandy butter stain you will need…
  • Dull knife or spoon 
  • Talcum powder, baking soda, or cornstarch 
  • Soft-bristled brush
  • Heavy-duty liquid detergent 

To begin lifting your brandy butter stain use a dull knife or spoon to remove as much solid butter as possible. Be careful when doing this as pushing too hard could result in pushing the stain further into your garment. 

Once you have removed as much solid butter as possible, cover the stain with talcum powder, baking soda, or corn-starch. Brandy butter stains are oil-based, and fine powders, such as talcum powder, can absorb oil quickly. Make sure that your full stain is covered by the powder, and leave it for 15-30 minutes. After 15-30 minutes, shake off as much of the powder as you can. 

Next, use your fingers or a soft-bristled brush to work a small amount of heavy-duty liquid detergent into the remaining stain. Make sure that you are covering the whole of your stain with the detergent, and using a gentle scrubbing motion to ensure that your stain is being penetrated. 

Finally, after working the detergent into your stain, launder your garment as you usually would. Check that your stain has been completely lifted before drying your item. If it hasn’t then repeat the process. 

Image by christmashat

Mincemeat  

Mince pies are a Christmas staple. Sticky mincemeat filling, encased in a beautiful buttery pastry makes for the perfect after-dinner treat. If you drop mincemeat filling down yourself, follow these simple steps. 

To lift your mincemeat stain you will need…
  • A spoon or blunt knife
  • White vinegar 
  • Clean cloth
  • Washing powder 
  • Warm water
  • Sponge 

To begin lifting your mincemeat stain use a blunt knife or spoon to remove as much of the mincemeat as possible. Be careful when doing this as mincemeat is incredibly sticky and can easily spread to other parts of your garment. 

Once you have lifted as much mincemeat as possible, pour a small amount of white vinegar on to a clean cloth and gently dab at the remaining stain. White vinegar contains a mild amount of acetic acid which is strong enough to lift stains without causing damage to your clothing. Continue dabbing at your stain until it has lightened in colour. 

Next, mix 1 teaspoon of powder detergent to a mug of warm water and mix thoroughly until the powder has dissolved. Use a sponge to gently dab the detergent mixture on to your remaining stain.

After you have dabbed your stain, wash your garment as your usually would. Before drying, check that your stain has been completely lifted. If not, repeat the process. 

Image by Amanda Slater

Double cream 

If you are not a fan of brandy cream, double cream is the perfect accompaniment to your Christmas dessert. Be careful though, because it is very easily dripped. 

To lift your double cream stain you will need…
  • Clean cloth
  • Cold water 
  • Heavy duty liquid laundry detergent
  • Soft bristled brush 

To begin removing your double cream stain use a clean cloth to soak up as much of the cream as possible. Carefully blot at the cream using your cloth, making sure that you are blotting and not rubbing as this will set the stain further into your garment. 

Next, flush out the remaining stain by holding it under a cold running tap with the underside of your fabric facing up. The constant stream of cold water will push the protein molecules from the fibres of your clothing, ultimately lifting the stain. 

After flushing your stain, wash your garment as you usually would. Before drying check that the stain has been completely lifted. If it has not, fill a sink with cold water and add a teaspoon of heavy-duty liquid laundry detergent. Place your stained item in the water, making sure that it is completely submerged, and leave it to soak for at least 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, remove your garment from the water and wash it again. If your double cream stain still has not been lifted, repeat the process. 

Image by Marco Verch Professional Photographer

Jelly  

Sometimes after a big Christmas dinner you just want something light for dessert, like jelly. Eat with caution though as this wibbly wobbly dessert can easily fall from your spoon and straight on to your lap. 

To lift your jelly stain you will need…
  • Dull knife or spoon
  • Cold water
  • Clean sponge 
  • Rubbing alcohol
  • Oxygen based bleach 
  • Tepid water 

To begin lifting your jelly stain, use a dull knife or spoon to scoop up as much of the jelly as possible. Be extra careful when doing this as you don’t want your jelly to fall off of your utensil and back on to your clothing

Once you have removed as much jelly as possible, flush the remaining stain by holding it under a cold running tap. Make sure that your water is nothing warmer than cold as jelly stains are protein based and any warmer water will cook the protein, making the stain harder to lift. 

After flushing your stain, use a clean sponge to gently dab rubbing alcohol onto the area. The rubbing alcohol will help lift the remaining stain. Continue dabbing your stain with the alcohol until it has completely lifted. Once it has been lifted, wash your item as you usually would. 

If, after a while of dabbing, you notice that your stain is not getting any lighter, mix a solution of oxygen-based bleach and tepid water. Completely submerge your garment in the water for a minimum of 4 hours. The oxygen-based bleach will penetrate your stain, removing the artificial colouring and leaving your garment stain-free. After 4 hours, remove your clothing from the water and wash as you usually would. 

Image by Marco Verch Professional P

Toffee sauce

A sticky toffee pudding would not be complete without it’s deliciously sweet toffee sauce. Unfortunately, a toffee sauce stain is quick to dry, so to remove it you have to act fast. 

To lift your toffee sauce stain you will need…
  • Dull knife or spoon
  • Borax
  • Cold water
  • Heavy duty liquid laundry detergent 
  • Hot water
  • Hydrogen peroxide or white vinegar 

To begin lifting your toffee sauce stain, first use a dull knife or spoon to lift as much of the sauce as possible. Be careful when doing this as pushing too hard will cause the stain to set further into your garment. 

Next, mix a paste of 1 tablespoon of water with 3 tablespoons of borax. Spread this paste over your stain, making sure that the whole area is covered. Leave your garment to sit for 15-20 minutes, giving the borax adequate time to penetrate your stain and lift the sticky toffee sauce from the fibres of your clothing. After 15-20 minutes, rinse your garment thoroughly, making sure that all of the borax paste has been removed. 

Once you have removed all of the borax paste, rub a small amount of heavy duty liquid laundry detergent directly onto your stain. Use your fingers to work the detergent in to your stain, saturating the area with detergent. Leave your garment for a minimum of 5 minutes, before flushing your stain, and detergent, with hot water. Make sure that the water is as hot as possible as this will help push the stain from your clothing. 

If your stain has been removed, or is significantly lighter, wash your garment as you usually would. If it has not been removed, use a sponge to gently dab a small amount of hydrogen peroxide or white vinegar on to the stained area. This should only be done on white or colour-fast clothing to avoid bleaching and ruining your garment. Continue to blot until your stain has lifted, and then wash your item as you usually would. 

Image by Sean MacEntee

Christmas is for spending time with loved ones, not doing your laundry. Give yourself a well deserved Christmas break and book your Laundryheap service today by heading to the Laundryheap website or downloading the free Laundryheap app.


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The 5 stains of Thanksgiving 

Photo by Karolina Grabowska from Pexels

Happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy your Thanksgiving meal without worrying about stains, because we’ve got you covered with this handy guide. 

  • Turkey
  • Gravy
  • Yams
  • Pumpkin
  • Lipstick

Turkey 

Turkey is the traditional meat eaten on Thanksgiving. In fact, it is probably one of the first things you think about when you think of the holiday. If you accidentally drop a piece of turkey on your clothing, don’t panic, the oily stain left behind can easily be removed. 

To remove a turkey stain you will need…

  • Dull knife or spoon
  • Clean napkin or towel
  • Cornstarch, talcum powder, or bicarbonate of soda
  • Heavy-duty liquid detergent 

To begin removing your turkey stain use a dull knife or spoon to lift any solid bits of turkey from your clothing. Be careful not to push too hard when lifting the turkey as you could push the stain further into your garment, making it harder to remove. 

Once you have removed as much turkey as possible, use a clean napkin or towel to blot at your stain. This will soak up some of the oil and make your stain easier to lift. Make sure that you are blotting and not rubbing as rubbing will only push the stain further into your clothing

After blotting at your stain, sprinkle cornstarch, talcum powder, or bicarbonate of soda over the stained area, making sure that your stain is completely covered. Regardless of which of these powders you use, they will help to absorb any oil that you could not lift from blotting. Leave your powder for 10-15 minutes, before shaking it off. 

Next, rub a small amount of heavy-duty laundry detergent directly onto your stain. You must make sure that you are using a heavy-duty detergent as they contain the necessary enzymes to break down the oil molecules in your stain. You can use your fingers or a soft-bristled brush to work your detergent into your stain. Once you are satisfied that your detergent has been fully worked in, leave it to sit for 15 minutes. 

After 15 minutes, wash your garment as you usually would, checking that the stain has been completely lifted before drying. 

Photo by RODNAE Productions from Pexels

Gravy

You can’t possibly enjoy turkey without gravy. Be careful though, as gravy, although delicious, is easily spilt. 

To remove a gravy stain you will need…

  • Dull knife or spoon
  • Heavy-duty laundry detergent
  • Soft-bristled brush
  • All-fabric bleach (optional)

To begin removing your gravy stain use a dull knife or spoon to lift as much gravy from your clothing as possible. You may be tempted to use a cloth to rub the stain, however, this will only set it further into your garment and make it harder to remove. 

Next, cover your stain with a heavy-duty laundry detergent and use a soft-bristled brush to work it into your stain. Scrub your stain lightly with your brush, using enough effort to ensure that the stain is being penetrated by the detergent, but not enough effort to rip your garment. Once you are satisfied that your detergent has adequately covered the stain, leave your garment for 15 minutes. 

After 15 minutes, wash your clothing using the hottest setting advised on your items care label. You may also want to add a small amount of all-fabric bleach to your washing machine to lift any discolouration caused by the gravy.

Once your wash cycle has finished, check that your stain has been completely removed before drying

Image by Didriks

Yams

Yams are the perfect Thanksgiving side. They are beautifully sweet and taste wonderful when paired with gravy. If you accidentally drop some, don’t worry, a yam stain is easily removed. 

To remove a yam stain you will need…

  • Dull knife or spoon
  • Cold water
  • Heavy-duty laundry detergent

To begin removing your yam stain use a dull knife or spoon to lift as much solid yam from your clothing as possible. Try to be as gentle as possible whilst lifting your yams as you could push your stain further into your clothing, making it harder to lift. 

Immediately after lifting as much solid yam from your clothing as possible, use cold water to flush out your stain. The water will run through the stained area of your garment, pushing out as much of the stain as possible. Make sure that you are using cold water as anything hotter will only set the stain into the fibres of your clothing. 

Once you are satisfied that your stain has been adequately flushed, pour a small amount of heavy-duty laundry detergent directly onto the stained area. Work the detergent into your stain using your fingers, making sure that the whole stain is covered by detergent. Once you are satisfied that your stain has been covered, set your garment to one side for 15 minutes. During this time the detergent will penetrate your stain and begin breaking down its oily molecules. 

After 15 minutes have passed, wash your clothing as you usually would. Once your garment has completed its wash, check thoroughly to make sure that the stain has been completely removed before drying. 

Photo by Loren Biser from Pexels

Pumpkin 

After a delicious Thanksgiving meal, there’s nothing better than a delectable dessert. Pumpkin pie is one of the most popular desserts to have during Thanksgiving, and pumpkin is a likely stain to find during the holiday season. 

To remove a pumpkin stain you will need…

  • Dull knife or spoon
  • Cold water
  • Heavy-duty laundry detergent 
  • Rubbing alcohol or white vinegar 
  • White cloth or napkin

To begin removing your pumpkin stain use a dull knife or spoon to lift as much solid pumpkin from your clothing as possible. Be careful when doing this as pumpkin can be slippery and you don’t want to spread your stain to other areas of your clothing

Next, flush your stain using cold water. Before putting your stain under the water make sure that it is cold as any warmer temperature will set your stain further into your garment. Leave your garment under the water until you are satisfied that no more of your stain can be flushed out. 

Once you have removed your garment from the water, rub a small amount of heavy-duty laundry detergent into your stain. Make sure that your whole stain has been rubbed with detergent or risk only lifting part of the stain. Once you are satisfied that your whole stain has been adequately rubbed with detergent, set your garment to one side for 15 minutes. 

After 15 minutes, wash your clothing as you usually would. Once your garment has completed its wash, check to make sure that the stain has been completely removed. If the stain has not been removed, dampen a clean white cloth or napkin with rubbing alcohol or white vinegar and blot at your stain. Once you are satisfied that you won’t lift any more of your stain by blotting, rewash your garment. 

Photo by Karolina Grabowska from Pexels

Lipstick 

Thanksgiving is about sharing time with the people you love, and showing them how much you care. As such, don’t be surprised to find a lipstick stain or two pressed into your clothing by the end of the day. 

To remove a lipstick stain you will need…

  • Heavy-duty laundry detergent 
  • Oxygen-based bleach 
  • Cold water

To begin removing your lipstick stain use your fingers to rub heavy-duty laundry detergent directly into the stain. Make sure that you are covering the whole of the stained area with the detergent. Once you are satisfied that the detergent has been adequately applied to the stain, set your garment to one side for 15 minutes. 

After 15 minutes, wash your clothing as you usually would. Once your garment has been washed, check to see if the stain has been removed. 

If your lipstick stain has not been completely removed, mix a solution of oxygen-based bleach and cold water. Submerge your garment completely in the solution, and leave it to soak for 8 hours. Over the course of 8 hours, the oxygen-based bleach will penetrate the waxy stain, loosening it and making it easier to lift.  After 8 hours, remove your garment and wash as you usually would. If your lipstick stain still has not been lifted, repeat the process. 

Photo by Michelle Leman from Pexels

Thanksgiving is a time to enjoy yourself with your loved ones, not a time to be worried about laundry. Book your Laundryheap service today by heading to the Laundryheap website or by downloading the free Laundryheap app. 


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Pre-treatment alternatives

Photo by Karolina Grabowska from Pexels

The best way to remove stains is to pre-treat them. If you don’t have any pre-treatment products, pre-treat your stains with these alternatives. 

  • Baking soda
  • Lemon/lime
  • Hydrogen peroxide
  • Corn starch 
  • Salt
  • Dish soap
  • Laundry detergent 

Baking soda

Baking soda is particularly useful at pre-treating odorous wet stains, such as coffee. The powdery consistency sucks up the wetness of the stain, whilst absorbing the odour, leaving your clothing with an odourless and smaller stain. Make sure to always brush off the baking soda before washing your garment. Alternatively, you can make a baking soda paste by mixing two parts baking soda with one part water. Spreading the paste over your stain will help to loosen it from the fibres of your clothing

Photo by Kaboompics .com from Pexels

Lemon/lime

The natural acidity in lemon and lime acts as a natural bleaching agent. Squeezing lemon or lime juice directly over the stain will begin bleaching it, making the stain lighter and easier to remove in the wash. Be warned that using lemon or lime juice on coloured clothing may cause discolouration, so use with caution or only on white clothing. It is particularly effective on yellow underarm and rust stains

Photo by Karolina Grabowska from Pexels

Hydrogen peroxide

Similarly to lemon and lime, hydrogen peroxide is a natural bleaching agent. Simply pour or spray a small amount of the solution on to your stain, and allow it to sit for 10 minutes. The hydrogen peroxide will begin to break down and lift your stain, making it easier for it to be completely lifted in the wash. After 10 minutes, wash your garment as you usually would, and observe as your clothing becomes completely stain-free. 

Image by Duncan Creamer

Corn starch

If you have an oily or greasy stain, immediately sprinkle corn starch over it. Make sure that your stain is completely covered by the corn starch, and leave it to sit for at least 10 minutes. The small particles that make up the corn starch will begin absorbing the stain, lifting it from your garment. If you catch your stain quick enough, the corn starch alone may be enough to lift your stain completely. If not, wash your item as you usually would. 

Image by JaBB

Salt 

Salt works in a similar way to corn starch, particularly on red wine stains. The particles that make up the salt absorb the stain, leaving a smaller and more manageable stain behind. Sprinkle your red wine stain with a liberal amount of salt, the cheaper the better, and leave it to sit for at least 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, brush the salt from your garment and observe whether your stain has reduced in size and become lighter. If not, you may want to apply more salt and leave it for longer. 

Photo by Castorly Stock from Pexels

Dish soap 

Dish soap is manufactured to tackle greasy and oily substances. To remove stains using dish soap, squirt a small amount directly onto the stain, and use your fingers, or a soft-bristled brush, to rub it in. Leave it to sit for 10 minutes, before rinsing it from your stain, and washing as you usually would. 

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Laundry detergent 

Laundry detergent is specially formulated to lift dirt from clothing, which makes it a great pre-treatment. You can use laundry detergent in the same way as you would use dish soap. Rub a small amount directly onto your stain, leave it to sit for 10 minutes, and then rinse it from your garment. It’s best, and easiest, to use liquid laundry detergent. Alternatively, you can make a paste from powdered laundry detergent and water which you can spread directly onto your stain. 

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The best way to treat any stain is to let us do it for you. Book your Laundryheap order by heading to the Laundryheap website or downloading the free Laundryheap app. 


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How to remove beetroot stains

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Beetroot is both delicious and it’s vibrant purple colour brightens up any dish. That being said, it is a natural, and permanent, dye, which makes beetroot stains on clothing lethal. Catch your stain early, and follow these steps, to ensure that your stain is lifted and your clothing isn’t dyed forever. 

  • Machine washable clothing 
  • Dry clean only clothing
  • Laundryheap

Machine washable clothing 

To remove beetroot stains from machine washable clothing you will need…
  • Kitchen towel
  • Cold water
  • Laundry detergent 
  • Washing machine 
  • Chlorine bleach or colour-safe bleach (optional)

To begin removing your beetroot stain, soak a kitchen towel in cold water and gently blot at the stain. Make sure that you are blotting and not rubbing the stain as rubbing will only set the beetroot further into your garment. As you blot, you should notice the stain transferring to your kitchen cloth. Continue blotting until you are satisfied that no more of the stain will be lifted. 

Once you are finished blotting, place your stain under a cold running tap. The water should turn a light purple colour as a result of it pushing more of the beetroot from your clothing. Continue holding your garment under the water until it runs clear. 

After dabbing and holding it under cold water your stain may be lifted. If it has not, gently work a small amount of laundry detergent into the area, and leave it to sit for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, rinse the laundry detergent from your garment, gently rubbing your stain with your fingers to encourage it to lift with the detergent. Continue rinsing until all of the detergent has been removed. 

Once you have removed the detergent from your garment, check to see if your stain has lightened in colour or been lifted. If it has, wash your garment in your washing machine as you usually would. If your stain is still vibrant and visible, repeat the previous steps. 

An alternative solution to lift your stain is to soak your item in chlorine or a colour safe bleach. Submerge your garment in a mixture of bleach and cold water for a minimum of 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, remove your item from the bleach solution and wash as you usually would.

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Dry clean only clothing 

To remove beetroot stains from dry clean only clothing you will need…
  • Dry cloth 
  • Damp sponge 
  • Bread (optional)

Begin lifting your beetroot stain by blotting it with a clean dry cloth. Similarly to with machine washable clothing, you must make sure that you are blotting not rubbing the stain. This will help to soak up any excess beetroot liquid and begin lifting the stain. Continue to dab until no more colour is transferred to the cloth. 

Next, dampen a clean sponge with cold water, and place it directly over the stain, making sure that it covers the full area. Do not rub or move the sponge as this can cause the beetroot to set further into the fibres of your garment. The sponge will begin absorbing the beetroot from your clothing, lifting it from your item and on to the sponge. After 5 minutes, check how much of your stain has been absorbed, and, if necessary, re-dampen the sponge and place it back on your stain for a further 5 minutes. Repeat this process until your stain has been lifted. 

If you do not have a clean sponge on hand, an alternative option is to use bread. In the same way as you would use the sponge, dampen the bread using cold water and place it over the stain. The bread will absorb the beetroot from your garment, lifting the stain. 

Once you have used either a sponge or bread to lift your beetroot stain, take a clean, dry, cloth and dab at any remnants of the stain. This should leave you with stain-free clothing

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Laundryheap 

If you are struggling to lift your beetroot stain, or any other stain for that matter, let us take care of it for you. All you have to do is left us know what the stain is and where it is located, and we will do the rest. To book your Laundryheap order head to the Laundryheap website or download the free Laundryheap app.


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The 5 stains of Easter

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Easter is a time for celebration, spending time with family, and eating lots of chocolate. Don’t let stains get in the way of your Easter fun, use these tips for removing stains from clothing and continue having a great weekend. 

  • Chocolate 
  • Butter
  • Acrylic paint
  • Glue
  • Grass

Chocolate 

The sugar high that comes with eating copious amounts of chocolate, can easily lead to melted chocolate stained clothing. 

To remove a chocolate stain you will need…

To begin removing your stain, use a butter knife or spoon to gently scrape as much of your chocolate off of your clothing as possible. Be careful to not push too hard when doing this as you don’t want to cause rips, or spread the chocolate stain further.

After you have removed as much chocolate as possible, flush your stain with cold water. Make sure that you are using cold and not hot water because hot water will only set your chocolate stain further into your clothing. 

Once you have flushed out the stain, gently rub heavy-duty laundry detergent over the top of it. Leave your garment for 5 minutes to allow the laundry detergent to soak into the stain. After 5 minutes, soak your item in cold water for 15 minutes, gently rubbing over your stain every 3-5 minutes to loosen it. 

Finally, remove your garment from the cold water and flush your stain once more with cold water. You should notice your stain has either disappeared or is lighter in colour. If either of these options is the case, wash your item as you usually would. The wash should remove any remnants of the stain. If, after you have washed your garment your stain remains, repeat the process. 

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Butter 

Hot cross buns are complimented perfectly when topped with a generous amount of butter. If you accidentally drop some butter on your clothing, don’t panic, simply follow these instructions. 

To remove a butter stain you will need…

  • A clean white cloth or paper towel
  • A butter knife or spoon
  • Cornstarch, baking soda, or talcum powder
  • Heavy duty liquid detergent 

If your butter stain has been caused by a blob of butter, begin the removal process by using a butter knife or spoon to gently lift as much solid butter from your clothing as possible. Be careful not to press too hard on your fabric as this can cause rips, and possibly spread the stain. 

After you have removed any solid bits of butter, use a clean white cloth, or paper towel, to gently dab the stain. Make sure that you are dabbing and not rubbing, as rubbing will cause your stain to set further into your clothing

Once you have removed as much excess oil from the stain as possible, sprinkle a generous amount of cornstarch, baking soda, or talcum powder over your stain. Allow your powder to sit on your stain for at least 15 minutes to give it an ample amount of time to absorb as much oil as possible. After 15 minutes, gently brush the powder off of your item. 

Next, add a generous helping of liquid laundry detergent to your stain, and use your fingers to gently rub it in. Leave your detergent for at least 15 minutes. 

Finally, wash your item as you usually would. If your stain has not been removed, repeat the process. 

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Acrylic paint 

A fun Easter activity is painting eggs bright colours using acrylic paint. Unfortunately, acrylic paint is incredibly easy to drip on yourself. 

To remove wet acrylic paint you will need…

  • Cold water
  • Heavy-duty laundry detergent 

Wet acrylic paint acts very similarly to water-based paint, which makes it easier to remove. To begin removing your stain, place it under cold running water. The water will flush-out the acrylic paint, so leave your garment under the running water until it begins to run clear. 

Once you are satisfied that your stain has been sufficiently flushed-out, place an ample amount of heavy-duty laundry detergent over your stain and leave it for 15 minutes. Your laundry detergent will lift any remaining acrylic paint. 

Finally, wash your item as you usually would. When taking your stained garment out of the washing machine, make sure to check that the stain has been completely removed before drying. If your stain hasn’t been completely removed, repeat the process. 

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To remove dried acrylic paint you will need… 

  • Rubbing alcohol, nail varnish remover, or alcohol-based hairspray
  • A dry, clean, white cloth or paper towel

If you leave your acrylic paint stain to dry, the paint is slightly harder to remove, but not impossible. The paint forms a plastic layer that acts similarly to an oil-based stain, meaning that flushing it out won’t be effective. 

To begin removing dried acrylic paint, apply an ample amount of rubbing alcohol, nail varnish remover, or alcohol-based hairspray to a clean white cloth and rub your stain. Before rubbing your stain, you may want to check the liquid you’re using won’t further stain your item by rubbing a small amount on an inconspicuous area. Continuously rub at your stain until you visibly begin to see it lighten in colour. 

Once you are satisfied with the lightened colour of your stain, you can proceed with the same method as removing wet acrylic paint. 

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Glue

Easter is a great time to get crafty. Not only can you decorate eggs, but you can make Easter baskets, Easter masks, and even an Easter pinata. Crafting is a great way to keep occupied over the Easter period but also means there is an increased risk of glue being spilled on clothes. 

To remove water-based glue you will need…

  • A butter knife or spoon
  • Cold water
  • Liquid laundry detergent 

Before you begin removing your glue stain, you need to wait for it to completely dry. You will know that it has dried when it goes clear. 

Once dried, use a butter knife or spoon to scrape off as much of the glue as possible. Don’t try and remove the whole patch of dried glue as this could cause your garment to rip. Instead, focus on removing the top, hard, layer of the stain. 

When you have removed your hard layer of glue, submerge your item in cold water for 24 hours. Make sure that your water is cold as hot water will only set the glue stain further into your clothing. The cold water will soften the remaining glue and make it easier to remove. 

After 24 hours, remove your garment from the cold water, and immediately pour a small amount of liquid laundry detergent directly onto your stain, and gently work it in with your fingers.  

Once you are satisfied that your liquid laundry detergent has been completely rubbed in, wash your garment as you usually would. If, after washing, your stain persists, repeat the process. 

To remove superglue stains you will need… 

  • A spoon or toothbrush
  • Acetone
  • Emery board or fine-grained sandpaper
  • A clean cloth or cotton wool pads
  • Laundry detergent 

As with removing water-based glue, you need to wait for your superglue stain to completely dry before beginning the removal process. Once your stain has completely dried, you can try and remove some of it using a spoon or butter knife, however, do not expect to lift much. 

Apply a small amount of acetone to a clean cloth or cotton wool pad, and gently dap your superglue stain on both sides of your garment. The acetone will break down the superglue, softening the stain and making it easier to lift from your clothing.

Once you notice the superglue becoming loose, use a dry, clean, cloth or toothbrush to gently brush away the loosened glue. You can repeat the acetone and brushing process as many times as necessary to remove the majority of your stain. 

If you notice that your stain is being particularly stubborn, you can use an emery board or fine-grained sandpaper to gently wear it down. Be very careful when doing this, as you want to lift the glue without damaging your clothes fibers. 

Finally, wash your garment as you usually would, checking that your stain has been completely lifted before drying it. If your stain has not been lifted, repeat the process. 

Photo by Erika Pugliese from Pexels

Grass

Whether you’re enjoying an Easter egg hunt in the garden or playing some Easter-themed sports, grass stains are inevitable when it comes to Easter fun. 

To remove grass stains you will need…

  • Cold water
  • Laundry detergent 
  • Rubbing alcohol (optional)
  • Hairspray (optional)

Begin the grass stain removal process by soaking your garment in cold water for 15 minutes. The cold water will soften the stain, and make it easier to lift. Make sure that your water is cold, as hot water will only set the stain further into your clothing. 

After 15 minutes, use your hands to rub laundry detergent directly onto your stain. You can use liquid detergent for this, however, powder detergent is particularly effective at removing stubborn outdoor stains.

Once you are satisfied that you have adequately rubbed your detergent into the stain, wash your item as you usually would. 

If your stain has not been completely lifted after washing, you may want to consider repeating the process or using rubbing alcohol or hairspray on your stain. The alcohol found in these products breaks down the green pigments in grass stains

If you are using rubbing alcohol, dab a small amount onto a clean cloth, and gently sponge it over your stain. When you see the colour lifting, rinse your garment in cold water and continue with the usual removal process. 

To use hairspray, spray a liberal amount over your stain and wait for it to completely dry. Once it has dried, used a soft-bristled brush, such as a toothbrush, to scrub at your stain. When you notice the colour begin to fade, flush out the hairspray with cold water, and continue with the usual stain removal process. 

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Easter is supposed to be spent with friends and family, not worrying about doing the laundry. Book your Laundryheap service and let us take a load off. 

To book your Laundryheap service, simply head to the Laundryheap website or download the free Laundryheap app.