“Well, shit happens, sometimes…”
You’ve got an important meeting at 10 AM, and, predictably, at 9:45 AM, you manage to spill coffee or juice all over your favorite light-colored pants. And of course, it’s something like orange or mango juice, just to really make your morning memorable. In moments like these, stains can feel like life's cruel joke... but no worries, we've got you covered!
While there are plenty of methods to tackle different kinds of stains, here are five common “disaster pairings” (stains + your go-to clothes) you might face - and some quick tips to save the day.
Red Wine + White Shirt
The classic nightmare! 😂 Red wine on a white shirt might seem like a lost cause, but don’t panic - it’s fixable if you act fast:
Blot the stain with a dry napkin IMMEDIATELY to absorb as much wine as possible.
Sprinkle salt on the stain and let it draw out the wine from the fabric.
Brush off the salt gently, then rinse the stained area with water.
Toss the shirt in the wash with cold water and detergent.
If the stain persists, soak the shirt in a mix of dish soap and hydrogen peroxide (1:1 ratio with water) for a few hours before washing again.
Grease + Caravat (Tie)
Sauce splashes during a burger binge? It happens. Here’s how to salvage your favorite tie, even if the stain has set:
If the stain is dry, carefully scrape off any solidified residue.
Mix some dish soap with warm water.
Drape the tie over a bowl and pour the soapy water over the stain, letting it wash through.
Repeat until the grease or sauce starts to fade.
Blot with a damp cloth and let the tie air dry.
… Blood + Jeans
A kitchen mishap or a small cut can leave blood on your favorite jeans. Don’t worry - there’s a fix:
Soak your jeans in cold saltwater overnight.
Apply bar soap, hand soap, or detergent directly to the stain and rub it with your hands until it foams.
Keep scrubbing until the stain fades.
Throw your jeans in the washing machine and let them air dry.
Ink + Dress Pants
ven in the digital age, some of us still love the charm of ink pens. But when the ink decides to ruin your pants, here’s what to do:
Press a paper towel onto the stain to soak up as much ink as possible.
Sprinkle talcum powder over the stain - don’t rub it!
Let the powder absorb the ink for a few hours.
Gently brush off the powder. While this won’t completely remove the stain, it’ll help prevent it from getting worse. For delicate fabrics, it’s best to let a professional cleaner handle it.
Coffee + Canvas Shoes
Spilling coffee on canvas shoes is more common than you’d think. Here’s how to recover:
Blot the stain with a dry cloth or napkin to absorb the coffee - don’t rub it!
Head to the nearest sink and rinse the stain from the inside out. Rinsing from the outside can spread the stain.
Mix a solution of water, detergent, and white vinegar. Apply it to the stain and wait for 5-10 minutes.
Scrub in circular motions on both sides of the fabric.
Keep scrubbing until the stain disappears, then blot dry and air-dry your shoes.
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