• phone number:

    865-966-9414

  • email address:

    farragutcleaners@charter.net

  • main address location:

    11185 Kingston Pike Knoxville, TN 37934

Stain Removal ‘Hacks’ That Don't Work!

Stain Removal ‘Hacks’ That Don't Work!

If you have ever spilled something on your clothing, it is likely that you have heard some tips on the best ways to treat the stain. Salt, hairspray, and ice are just a few of the everyday household products that are often suggested to help remove stains. However, many of these so-called hacks could actually make your stain worse! When you need a stain removed, taking your soiled garments for professional dry cleaning in Farragut, Tennessee is usually better. Let's take a look at some common stain removal tips and laundry hacks that don't actually work!

Hairspray to Remove Ink

When you get ink on your shirt, it is common for someone to advise applying hairspray to the stain. At one time, there may have been some degree of truth to this tip, as hairspray used to have a high alcohol content. However, modern hairspray products are alcohol-free, so instead of breaking down the ink, the hairspray is more likely to create a sticky patch on the fabric that is even more tricky to remove than the original stain. It is a much better idea to take those ink-stained clothes for dry cleaning in Farragut, Tennessee.

White Wine to Remove Red Wine

Have you ever been at a party where red wine has been spilled on the table linen or someone's shirt? How many people exclaimed that you should pour a little white wine on the stain? This particular hack probably gained popularity out of convenience! After all, if the red wine is flowing, there will likely be a bottle of white nearby, too! However, white wine is not really an effective stain remover and is just a waste of a good glass of wine! It is better to spray the stain with a little hydrogen peroxide, or even better, wait until the morning and take the items for dry cleaning in Farragut, Tennessee!

Salt to Stop Color Run

Adding salt to your laundry isn't so much a stain removal tip but rather a hack for stopping the color run when washing different colors together. There is some degree of science behind this particular hack because salt is actually used to 'set' dye when you are dying fabric at home. This has led to the belief that it will also stop color from running in the wash. However, this isn't the case. Dye has to be set early on in the process in order to prevent bleeding. If the garment has already made its way into your closet, then it is already too late to address this potential problem. If you have concerns about color running when doing your laundry, it is best to separate the problem items to wash separately or take the garments for professional dry cleaning in Farragut, Tennessee, instead.

Disinfect Your Bedding With Vinegar

When someone in your home has been sick, cleaning all of their bedding is always a good idea to eliminate any lingering bacteria. Some say that adding vinegar to your laundry cycle will help to disinfect the bedding. While vinegar does have some advantages in the laundry, it is certainly not strong enough to disinfect fabrics to stop the spread of bacteria and viruses. If you have concerns about your bedding following a bout of illness, take the sheets and comforter for dry cleaning in Farragut, Tennessee, to eliminate lingering germs.

Aspirin to Whiten Shirts

An old wives' tale suggests adding five aspirin tablets in hot water and soaking your white shirts before washing them to make them bright white! We can't find any science to support this, and the tip may have been inspired by the fact that aspirin was patented by German textile dye company Bayer in 1899. However, the chemical compound of aspirin has no bleaching properties. The act of pre-soaking in hot water on its own is likely what is responsible for any whitening effect that is seen as this will lift embedded grime from the fibers of the fabric. The best way to get fresh, crisp white shirts is to have them taken for dry cleaning in Farragut, Tennessee, and let the professionals do the work!

Coffee to Keep Darks Dark!

While tea and coffee are effective ways to dye fabric, adding a few cups into the rinse cycle to help preserve dark colors is unlikely to have any impact. The typical wash cycle uses around 16 gallons of water. This will heavily dilute 2 cups of coffee to the point that any potential staining is eliminated. The best way to preserve dark colors is to follow the appropriate care instructions, or to take your clothes for professional dry cleaning in Farragut, Tennessee.

--

Farragut Cleaners is your locally owned and operated full-service dry cleaner. From dry cleaning to alterations and wedding dress preservation to home textiles, we are here to keep you fresh, clean, and looking & feeling impeccable.

Call 865-966-9414 or visit our website.