Stain Removal Guide

Stains can be a major annoyance, and when doing laundry it is helpful to have a stain removal  guide. Because there are many types of stains, and many different fabrics, it can be tricky to keep it all straight and get your laundry clean. Take heart! ASKO has you covered with cleaning suggestions for some common stains.

In general, be sure to read the manufacturer’s labels when washing any garment. Treat stains as soon as they happen, without giving them time to “set” in your clothing or fabric item. Read the manual that came with your washing machine as well, to ensure you have a clear understanding of how the appliance works. When using any sort of stain treatment, always remember to test a small, concealed area of the garment first, to make sure it can handle the treatment. For specific advice on common stains, read on!

• Protein Stains: These are stains from substances including blood, baby food and formula, and they can be hard to remove. Presoaking in a solution of cold water and salt can be effective, but never wash in warm water. Warm or hot water will literally cook the stain into the fabric.
• Dye Stains: These stains come from items such as red food, red wine, grass and felt tip pens, and they require a fair amount of pre-treatment. First, pour warm glycerin over the stain and then rinse it with water. Then, pour 10% acetic acid over the stain and rinse again. This should remove most of the stain. For a white garment, if some of the stain remains, you can bleach with 3% hydrogen peroxide. After you have treated the stain, machine-wash as normal.
• Tannin stains: Caused by coffee, tea, soft drinks, beer and fruit drinks, these require hot water for removal. First, pour boiling water over the stain, then wash in a solution of laundry detergent. After rinsing thoroughly with water, check to see if the stain is gone. If not, and it is a white garment, use 3% hydrogen peroxide to bleach the stain out. Again, after spot treating, machine-wash as usual, on the highest possible temperature.
• Oily stains: Hand lotion, cooking oil, butter, motor oil, and even chocolate, are considered oily stains.  They are sometimes difficult to remove, and require pre-treatment. First, scrape off as much of the stain as possible. Rub in soap or laundry detergent, to pre-treat. Then wash the item in the highest temperature the washing instructions will allow, before washing it a second time, in its normal cycle. A note on chocolate: this stain actually combines oil with dye, so if the oily stain process fails, you might want to try the process for dye stains.

These are a few types of common stains, but the ASKO website has a Stain Interactive Guide featuring instructions for forty specific stains, on four kinds of fabric. We also have blogs on cleaning costumes, washing whites, and keeping towels soft.

ASKO laundry machines are designed to get your laundry clean with less detergent, less water, and no bleach. With a lifting-and-dropping action that tumbles clothing over 800 times, while keeping them from rubbing together, ASKO machines clean clothes without causing excessive wear. In addition, ASKO’s cold-water fill never sets in stains. With the option of heating the water to 205ºF, whites never need bleach, either, because they will come out clean and sanitized. In fact, because ASKO guarantees 85ºF to 205ºF temperatures, it is easy to find the precise temperature for whatever stain you are treating.

ASKO’s washing machines clean effectively while saving you money and protecting the environment. To join our online community, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.  Be sure to subscribe to the ASKO USA Blog to never miss a post!