Stain relief
Candle wax stains
Allow candle wax to go hard. Scrape off excess wax with the blunt edge of a knife. Then place the stain between two sheets of white blotting paper or 2-3 layers of kitchen/paper towel and press with a warm, dry iron to melt residual wax.
After allowing the cloth to cool, lightly sponge the stained area with dry-cleaning fluid and blot onto kitchen/paper towel to help remove residual coloured staining. Always check for colourfastness before using dry cleaning fluid.
Care should be taken when handling dry cleaning fluid. Ensure safety directions on the bottle are followed and store out of reach of children. Only apply the fluid when the cloth is cool. Do not iron a fabric treated with dry-cleaning fluid.
If the stain persists, soak overnight in Omo detergent in water as hot as the fabric will allow. Always check for colourfastness and dye stability before soaking.
Finally, wash as usual with Omo.
Chewing gum stains
Place the garment in a plastic bag, with the chewing gum facing the outside, and place in the freezer. Allow the gum to harden. Remove from the freezer and then break it off the surface of the fabric. It may be picked off with tweezers – care should be taken with knitted articles to avoid pulling out threads.
Any residual gum can be treated with eucalyptus oil, dabbing it onto the gum. Always check for colourfastness on an inside seam of the garment prior to treatment with eucalyptus oil. Wash as normal with Omo powder.
Chocolate stains
If chocolate is still soft, place the garment in a plastic bag and place in the fridge for a few minutes to allow the chocolate to harden. Remove from the fridge and scrape off the excess chocolate with the blunt side of a knife. Then wash the garment in a warm wash with Omo powder. If the stain persists, soak overnight in Omoand warm to hot water. Always check for colourfastness and dye stability before soaking.
Coffee/tea stains
Soak the garment overnight in Omo. The soaking water should be as hot as the fabric will allow. Always check for colourfastness and dye stability before soaking. Then wash as usual with Omo.
Cooking oil/fat stains
If the stain is extensive and appears to have deeply penetrated the fabric, get the garment dry cleaned. However, if the staining is not severe, you could try the following:
If the oil/fat is fresh, sprinkle the stain with talcum powder and gently work it into the fabric. Leave for 30 minutes and then brush off. Then wash the garment using Omo in the hottest water that the fabric will allow. Always check for colourfastness and dye stability before soaking.
Deodorant stains
Begin by rubbing the stain with white vinegar. If this is unsuccessful, soak the affected area in methylated spirit for an hour. Place the rest of the garment in a higher position than the area being soaked to avoid the solution being wholly absorbed by the garment. Always check the garment for colourfastness before using methylated spirits.
Care should be taken when handling methylated spirit. Ensure safety directions on the bottle are followed and store out of reach of children.
If the stain persists, rub the stained area with laundry soap and water as hot as fabric will allow. Then soak overnight in Omo and warm water. After this, wash as usual.
Remember to read the care label to make sure that your garment will not be damaged when you attempt to remove the stain.
Blood stains
Do NOT treat blood stains with hot water as it will set the stain onto the fabric.
If the stain is fresh, flush it out under cold running water. If the stain remains or if it's not fresh, soak the stained garment in a plastic bucket of cold salted water (1-2 tablespoons salt/litre water) for several hours and then wash as usual with Omo.
For persistent stains soak in a tepid solution of Omo powder. Rub gently around the edge of the stain with the soaking solution before leaving the garment to soak. Always check for colourfastness before soaking.
Older stains are difficult to remove, so treat as soon as possible.
Beer & lager stains
Sponge with white vinegar and warm water, then rinse and wash with Omo. Remember to read the care label to make sure that your garment will not be damaged when you attempt to remove the stain. Check for colourfastness and dye stability before treatment.
Beetroot stains
Flush stain from the back with cold running water, then wash immediately with Omo powder. If the stain persists, soak overnight in Omo powder, using water that is as hot as the fabric will allow. Always check for colourfastness and dye stability before soaking.
