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Stain-Removal Basics

Know when to act fast and how to stay (relatively) spotless all summer long

Stain-Removal Basics
Tina Rupp
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  • Treat stains as quickly as possible.
  • Always test stain removers on an inconspicuous area of the fabric first, to make certain the color won’t be affected.
  • After laundering stained fabrics, air-dry and inspect the articles to ensure the spots are gone before machine drying or ironing (both of which help set stains).
  • In general, it’s best to avoid rubbing, which can spread the stain, abrade the fabric, and remove color. Blot instead.
  • Do not pour bleach directly on a stain. “Bleach can make a temporary visual improvement,” says Chuck Horst, the general manager of Margaret’s Cleaners, in La Jolla, California, “but the end result will be a weakened fabric or a permanent yellowing.”
    • Written by Adam Bluestein
    July 2006
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