How To Safely Remove Stains From Linen Clothes
As a mom, few things are more frustrating than getting a stain on your favorite linen blouse or dress. Unfortunately, stains can happen fairly easily—a spill at dinner or a mark from your toddler's chocolate-covered hands can quickly ruin your favorite outfit. Luckily, there's little need to worry. There are plenty of ways to safely remove those pesky stains without damaging your beautiful linen clothes. Delve into tips for safely removing stains from linen clothes to keep your apparel looking great!
Work on Stains Immediately
The most important thing to do when you get a stain on your linen clothes is to work on it as quickly as possible. This means blotting the fabric and trying to remove any excess residue. If possible, change out of your clothes and run the garment under cold water. This will help prevent the stain from setting and make it easier to remove.
Never Rub Stains
One common mistake people make when removing stains is rubbing the fabric. Many of us think that the harder we rub, the easier it will be to erase the mark. The problem is that this can make the stain worse by pushing it deeper into the material.
Instead, try blotting the stain with a clean cloth or paper towel. If the stain is particularly stubborn, you can try gently rubbing at it, but be careful not to damage the material.
Three Natural Remedies
Natural remedies can be a great option when removing stains from linen clothes. The top natural remedies for eliminating stains from linen clothing include:
- Baking soda or cornstarch
- White vinegar
- Lemon juice
These methods rely on household staples that most of us already have, making it easy to tackle stains immediately. And the faster you tend to these marks, the more likely you are to completely remove them from your linen.
Baking Soda or Cornstarch
Baking soda is a household staple that you can use for everything from making gooey chocolate chip cookies to eliminating odors and even removing stains.
To use this method:
- Sprinkle one of these powders over liquid stains and let it sit for a few minutes. The powder will absorb the stain and, hopefully, lighten it.
- When washing the item, avoid putting it in the dryer until you can visually inspect the garment.
- If you still see the stain, try rewashing the item with other natural removers, such as white vinegar.
White Vinegar
Another natural remedy for removing stains from linen clothes is white vinegar. Add a bit to your washing machine and set the machine to cold. After the wash, allow the item to hang dry. If you still see stains, rewash the item. Avoid putting the apparel in the dryer until you know the stain is gone, as doing otherwise could set the stain into the material.
Lemon Juice
The final natural remover to try is lemon juice. For this method, you'll need to mix about 1/3 cup of lemon juice with 2/3 cup of water. Dip a rag into the mixture and blot the stain until it's gone or faded. After doing this, place the item in your washing machine, set it to delicate, and let the machine do its job. Air dry the garment after the wash cycle ends so that you can inspect for possible remaining signs of the stain.
Other Stain Removing Methods
While natural stain removal methods should be your first defense, they don't always work. Sometimes, you may need to bring the apparel to the dry cleaner or use oxygen bleach to eliminate the stain.
The Dry Cleaner
If you've tried everything available to you and can't get the stain out, visit your local dry cleaner. They may have a few tricks up their sleeve that you haven't considered. Additionally, these individuals are experts at cleaning clothes since it’s their profession. They’ll know exactly which remedies or products to apply to the material to remove the stain without damaging the fabric.
Oxygen Bleach
In a worst-case scenario, you can use bleach to remove a stain. However, only use this method on pure white clothing, as bleach will lighten the dye in a garment. If the stain is on a colored item and you spill bleach anywhere on the garment, you'll have permanent stains.
Most clothing experts recommend oxygen bleach over chlorine bleach as it's less harsh. However, aside from leaving light marks on colored fabrics, chlorine bleach could also damage the fabric fibers.
Evaluate the Stain Type
Another key tip on how to safely remove stains from linen clothes requires assessing the damage. Every stain requires a different removal method, and you should evaluate the mark closely so that you don't waste your time on the wrong techniques. Below, we've listed two common types of stains and how to remove them.
Coffee Stains
Coffee stains can be a nuisance, especially on delicate linen clothes. However, there's no need to despair or discard your favorite garments.
Create a paste by mixing baking soda and water, gently blot it on the stain, and let it sit for about 30 minutes. Then, rinse the paste with cold water and apply distilled white vinegar to the affected area. Soak the linen garment in cold water for 30 minutes, then wash it as usual.
Grass and Mud
After a fun day of playing in the sun, you may find mud or grass stains on your little cub's adorable outfit. To remove these marks, gently dab the stains with vinegar and water, ensuring the solution is not too strong, as that could damage the fabric. Next, apply a small amount of liquid detergent and gently rub the stain until it starts to lift; then, wash the garment in the machine on a gentle cycle.
A Final Note
Linen is a wonderful fabric that can last years if you take care of it. Staining your favorite clothes can feel disappointing, and none of us like walking around in discolored apparel.
When you notice stains on your linen, strive to work on them immediately. Moreover, avoid rubbing the fabric, and use natural removers whenever possible. Finally, take incredible care of your linen clothes to ensure they look fantastic for years.
Shop for Quality Linen Clothes
At Beachwood Baby, you can shop for linen clothes online that are designed for mamas and their little ones. Browse our collection to purchase linen apparel that looks amazing any time of year. Please contact our team if you have questions about any of our clothing items or care instructions.
