Introduction
Sometimes, it so happens that you put clothes inside the washing machine and they come out even more stained. But this time, the stains are different – they're laundry detergent stains.
We've all had to rewash something because of the laundry detergent residue film on them. We agree with you that it's annoying and a waste of time and energy.
Fortunately, there are steps you can take to prevent and remove these stains. Below, we go into detail about removing powdered and liquid laundry detergent stains.
What Products Remove Detergent Stains?
First, let's discuss the products you'll need to remove detergent stains from your clothes.
Baking Soda
It shouldn't come as a surprise that baking soda is on this list; it's a must-have in your laundry room. Baking soda has a two-in-one effect; it lifts stains and deodorizes the garment.
To use baking soda, put your stained garment in the washer. Set your regular wash cycle, but don't add liquid or powdered detergent.
Instead, add half a cup of baking soda to the wash. Run the cycle as usual.
Vinegar
Vinegar is another tried and tested stain remover that works for all sorts of stains, from powdered detergent to liquid and beyond. Since it's gentle on fabrics, it won't damage your clothes. Opt for white vinegar, as apple cider vinegar can leave yellow stains.
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Fill a tub (or sink) with hot water. Check the garment's label to determine the water temperature that's safe for the fabric.
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Add a cup of vinegar to the water and soak the garment for about an hour.
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Move the solution around with your hands to ensure that it reaches all parts of the clothing.
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After an hour has passed, wash the garment as usual (without detergent).
Dish Soap
The same soap that breaks down grease on your dishes can also break down detergent stains from your clothes. Your good old dish soap will do the trick by doing the following:
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Wet the stained spot on the garment and apply a few drops of dish soap.
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Scrub the spot gently with an old toothbrush or your fingers.
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Let the dish soap sit for about 15 minutes.
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Wash the garment without detergent.
Rubbing Alcohol
Rubbing alcohol is often used as a pretreatment for tough stains due to its degreasing power. It can remove surface soils that your regular detergent or laundry bar soap can't.
Here's how to use it:
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Soak the entire garment in a sink or tub full of warm water.
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Rub the stained area for 30 to 60 seconds. If the spot goes away, good job! If not, continue to the next step.
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Wring out the garment.
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Apply rubbing alcohol to the stained area generously. We recommend doing a spot test first to make sure alcohol doesn't cause the fabric's dye to bleed.
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Let the rubbing alcohol sit for 10 minutes.
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Wash the garment without detergent.
How to Remove Detergent Stains in 5 Steps
If you've tried spot-treating the laundry detergent stain with the aforementioned products and it hasn't worked, you can use the following approach to get rid of those stains for good:
Step 1: Pretreat the Stain
Pretreatment simply means that you'll tackle the stain before it even makes its way to the washing machine. In this case, we recommend using an oxygen-based bleach or an enzyme stain remover.
Start by soaking the garment in warm water. Read the care tag for any specific instructions about the water temperature. Then, apply the stain removal agent directly to the stain.
Rub the product into the fabric to help it penetrate deep into the fibers. You can use a clean cloth for this step.
Step 2: Wait
Let the garment sit for at least 15 minutes to allow the stain remover to work its magic. If you have a particularly stubborn stain, let it sit for up to 30 minutes.
Step 3: Rinse the Garment Thoroughly
Use warm water to rinse out the pretreatment product and the detergent stain. Check if the stain is gone. If not, repeat the process until you are satisfied with the results.
Step 4: Wash the Garment
Wash the garment as you normally would, following the care instructions on the tag.
Step 5: Air-Dry or Tumble Dry
After washing, avoid using the dryer as heat can set in stubborn stains. Instead, air-dry the garment or tumble dry on a low-heat setting.
5 Tips to Remove Detergent Stains Effectively
Whether you use laundry soap or a powdered detergent, staining your clothes is almost inevitable. To make matters worse, if you get hard water from your tap, you may see a buildup of minerals that can leave white stains and suds all over your clothing.
We have a few tips that can help you avoid this situation:
Remove from Washing Machine Immediately
We all get a little lazy sometimes and leave our laundry sitting in the washing machine for longer than we're proud to admit. However, this can lead to detergent stains. Also, if clothes are left wet for too long, there's a risk of mildew growth.
Avoid Heat
The rule of thumb is heat sets stains. Therefore, if you're trying to remove a liquid detergent stain, don't put the garment in the dryer after the wash cycle. Air dry instead.
Flush with Cold Water
In most of the methods above, we recommended using hot water to remove stains. Follow it up with a rinse of cold water.
The cool temperature helps to set the stain and prevent it from spreading while you're removing it. Also, it helps flush away any remaining detergent residue.
Avoid Overloading the Washer
If you throw a ton of clothing into your washer, you're making it harder for the detergent to do its job. Also, overloading may lead to white spots on your clothes where the detergent doesn't have enough space to dissolve properly. The key is not to overload the washer and to let there be enough room for detergent dispersal.
Use Spot Treatments
It's not always the whole part of the cloth that's stained. It might be blotches or stains of specific things. In such a case, you can save water and detergent by spot-treating the stain with a small amount of vinegar (or dish soap) and warm water.
Say Goodbye to Detergent Spots with Rinse
Laundry is already hectic enough; you shouldn't have to spend extra time rewashing clothes because of detergent stains. Sometimes, the better approach is to outsource laundry.
That's where Rinse comes in. We've been taking care of our clients' laundry needs for years. Since we know the ins and outs of laundry, you won't have to worry about anything, be it an oil stain or laundry detergent spots.
We know which detergent to use for each type of apparel. Plus, we make laundry outsourcing a breeze by giving you multiple options — app, website, text — to schedule a pickup. You simply have to set the day and place, and we'll come to get your clothes.
Our dry cleaning services are a bonus for those special garments that can't go through a regular washing machine. Long story short, we meet all your laundry needs!
Contact us at Rinse today to see our skill in action.
