HARD-TO-REMOVE COMBINATION STAINS
Candle wax
1. Let harden; scrape off solid wax with dull knife.
2. Crack and remove as much residue as possible in dry state.
3. Pre-treat with aerosol pre-treatment spray or dry-cleaning solvent.
4. Scrub by hand using hot water and liquid laundry detergent.
5. If color remains, bleach as safe for fabric.
6. Launder. Repeat from 3 as needed.
Note: Many stain removal guides suggest ironing wax stains with absorbent paper towels to
transfer and absorb the wax. This forces the part of the stain that doesn’t transfer farther into
the yarns and fibers; it will leave an oily looking permanent spot.
Chewing gum
1. Apply ice to harden stain.
2. Scrape off excess with a dull knife.
3. Treat with pre-treatment aerosol spray or dry-cleaning solvent.
4. Scrub with heavy-duty liquid detergent.
5. Rinse in hot water, repeat from 3, as needed.
6. Launder.
Soot, smoke
1. If excess, shake off outdoors.
2. Launder in washer using heavy-duty detergent, water conditioner, and all fabric bleach.
3. Air dry; inspect for smoke odor.
4. Repeat as necessary.
5. Soot carbon particles get mechanically stuck between fibers; bleaching as a last resort may not help much.
Tips for spot treatment of stains on delicate fabrics
The aim is to confine the stain to as small a spot as possible. To do this you will need a supply of white paper towels or clean rags and one of these 3 things: a dry cleaning solvent, spot remover, or pre-treatment spray.
