Laundry Tips - Removing Ink, Gum, Collar and Underarm Stains

Laundry Tips

Remember to always read the garment label before trying

Removing Ink Stains

To help remove ink stains lay garment in a single layer on paper towel or rag to help absorb ink. Spray dried ink stain with a powerful stain remover (always test a hidden spot first for color fastness).

Let dry completely, spray again and launder garment using the hottest water temperature recommended by the manufacturer. Adding a little chlorine bleach (cap full and only for white fabric) to the wash cycle also helps. If this doesn't work have garment dry-cleaned. If ink is all over garment, dry-cleaning might be the best solution.

Washing Jeans and Clothes

Wash black denim jeans inside out to prevent white streaks from forming on the sides of fabric.

Washing clothes right side out will get them cleaner than washing them inside out. Except for underarm stains most stains are usually heaviest on the outside of garment. This also makes folding laundry quick and easy.

For stained baby clothes, diapers and bibs spray with Stain Remover first and wash as usual. For heavily stained baby clothes pre-soak before washing. You can also add a scoop with your regular load as a laundry booster.

Line Drying Garments

If the manufacturer's care label reads "line dry" after washing, place garment in dryer with other clothes for 2-3 minutes (or longer for heavier fabrics) to remove excess water, decrease wrinkles and return softness to material. Hang or lay flat to dry.

Removing Gum

To remove chewing gum from fabric rub ice on gum until it hardens, peel off as much gum as possible then wash as usual. If gum didn't come out the first time, repeat process, don't put garment in dryer until it is completely free of gum or you will have a gooey mess.

Preventing and Removing Underarm Stains

There are usually two types of underarm stains, perspiration (sweat) and antiperspirant or deodorant buildup. Perspiration stains tend to be yellow, brown or green in color. Colored clothes may show a white border around the stain where body salt has settled from sweating. Both types sometimes feel hard or crusty.

Buildup from antiperspirant and deodorant stains will either be white or clear, chalky or greasy. It's usually easier to remove these stains when they first appear. Stains that have gone through the washer and dryer several times may be more difficult to remove.

Most deodorants leave less of a buildup than antiperspirants and just switching from using an antiperspirant to a deodorant may reduce the problem significantly or resolve it entirely. Many people shower and then apply antiperspirant or deodorant while the underarms are still moist and then dress. To minimize stain build up, dry the underarms completely before applying antiperspirant or deodorant and let the antiperspirant or deodorant dry completely before dressing.

There are several techniques for removing underarm stains.

The two most common are white vinegar and baking soda. (Always spot test a hidden area of the garment to see if the dye will run before applying)

Turn garment inside out. Spray or sprinkle the stained area with white vinegar. Turn the garment right side out and repeat. The acid from the vinegar breaks down the sweat and antiperspirant/deodorant buildup. Wash in the hottest water recommended by the manufacturer. Another technique is to make a thin paste out of baking soda and apply it to the stained area and let stand for 15-20 minutes and then wash in the hottest water recommended by the manufacturer. Dress shirts can be sent to a shirt service.

For a commercial solution we recommend OxiClean ® Laundry Stain Remover. It is chlorine-free, color-safe and removes a variety of tough stains including wine, blood, pet and grass. Just spray the stained area and wash as usual.

Preventing Ring around the Collar

To prevent/minimize ring around the collar on button down cotton shirts, wipe neck with rubbing alcohol or skin toner to eliminate excess oils from skin. A build-up of oils on skin and collar attracts more dirt and makes collars harder to clean. Also, try to keep hair gels from nape of neck for they also attract more dirt and oil and accumulate on collars making ring around the collar more noticeable.

Make your Shirts last Longer

To make starched shirts look newer longer, alternate between starch and no starch whenever sending your shirts out to the cleaner. Starch builds up on shirts causing the fibers to weaken and fray a lot sooner than they would if you didn't have them starched. Alternating between starch and no starch will extend the wearability of your cotton shirts.

Removing Stains from Dry Clean Only Garments

When getting stains on your dry-cleanable garments just blot with a clean cloth. Do not wipe or rub with water or other liquids, water and dry-cleaning solutions don't mix, especially on silks. Let your dry-cleaner get it out, show him/her the stain and tell him/her what it is, they will do their best to remove it.

Find specific details for the OxiClean products we recommend on our Laundry Detergents page and additional laundry information can be found on our Do Laundry - Steps to Cleaner Clothes page.

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