12
Treating stubborn stains
Stains caused by sweat, blood, fruit, wine or chocolate generally disappear when using
biological detergents but some stains require specific treatment before being place din the
machine. Perform a test first of all on a scarcely visible part of the textile and rinse thoroughly.
If you use a stain remover, always start at the outside of the stain to avoid any rings.
GRASS: dab the stain with white vinegar or
90° proof alcohol* (if this is suitable for the
textile) and then rinse and wash
BALLPOINT / FELT TIP PEN: remove as much
of the ink as possible by dabbing the stain
with absorbent paper. Place a clean white
cloth under the stain and dab the stain with
another cloth soaked in white vinegar for
synthetic and artificial fibres or 90° proof
alcohol* for other fibres (if this is suitable for
the textile)
RUST: for slight stains, cover with salt,
squeeze lemon juice over the salt and leave
overnight: then rinse thoroughly and wash.
For heavier stains,use an anti-rust product,
carefully following the manufacturer's
instructions.
CHEWING GUM: chill it using an ice cube. As
soon as it is hard enough, scrape it off with
your fingernail. Remove any remaining ring
with a degreasing product* OIL - TAR: use
liquid stain remover* or, failing this, spread
a little fresh butter on the stain, leave it for a
while and then dab with turpentine*.
PAINT: do not leave paint stains to dry. Treat
them immediately with the solvent indicated
on the paint tin (water, turpentine*, white
spirit*). Soap and then rinse.
CANDLEWAX: remove as much of the stain
as possible by scratching it. Then place
absorbent paper on both sides of the textile
and iron the stain to melt the rest of the wax.
MAKE-UP: place the stained surface of the
fabric on absorbent paper, then dampen the
reverse of the fabric with 90° proof alcohol*
(if this is suitable for the textile) and provided
that the stain is not greasy. Otherwise, opt
for a de-greasing product (trichlorethylene*
type).
COFFEE - TEA: On white cotton: dab the
stain with oxygenated water* before washing
normally - On coloured cotton: dab the
stain with a watervinegar solution (2 soup
spoons of white vinegar to 1/4 litre of water)
before washing normally - On woollen: dab
the stain with a mixture of equal parts of
alcohol* and white vinegar before washing
the item
CHOCOLATE - FRUIT - FRUIT JUICE - WINE:
dab the stain with a water vinegar solution
(2 soup spoons of white vinegar to ®˘ litre of
water). Rinse well and wash normally.
GREASE: sprinkle the textile immediately
with talc. Leave to dry and brush gently
to remove the talc. Then dab with a de-
greasing product of the mineral oil* type.
Rinse and wash normally.
BLOOD: soak the stained item as quickly as
possible in cold salty water, then proceed to
wash normally.
KETCHUP - TOMATO SAUCE: prepare a
solution of one part glycerene to one part
warm water. Soak the item for an hour; then
proceed to wash normally.
USING STAIN-REMOVING PRODUCTS:
To avoid any risk of fire or explosion:
(*) If you are using the products recommended in the remedies above, take care to rinse
your washing thoroughly before placing it in the machine.
- If you are using commercial stain removers, follow the manufacturer's instructions
very carefully.
We would remind you that, generally, stains treated immediately can be easily removed.
On the other hand, old stains that have been ironed or tumble-dried cannot be removed.