Here are seven common household items you can use to remove laundry stains. For a spill on clothing or other fabric, dampen the stain with water and work in just a dab of shaving cream with your fingers. Then, flush the area with cold water, or wipe it with a white cloth dipped in cold water. Always use a white cloth or paper towel to prevent color transfer from one fabric to the other. Finally, blot with a dry white cloth or paper towel, or use a blow dryer on low heat. Even old grease stains on suede or leather can be lifted by placing a slice of bread on the stain for an hour or so to absorb the oil. Any type of plain bread, such as white or whole wheat, will work. Just make sure it hasn’t been buttered. Furthermore, you can use chalk to cover stains on white clothes. If you don’t have time to remove a stain, simply mask it with a layer of chalk until you get a chance to wash the fabric. A piece of chalk is a must-have for emergency stains on a white wedding dress. Vodka also makes a great fabric refresher. In fact, many commercial fabric refreshers contain high alcohol content. For your DIY version, simply mix 1/2 cup vodka with 1 cup cool water in a spray bottle, and spritz your stale-smelling clothes. WD-40 can also be used to lift melted crayons, candle wax, or chewing gum from fabrics. Just remember to wash immediately once the waxy stain is lifted from the fabric. Black marker works best to get a close match that isn’t noticeable unless you know exactly where to look. But if you find other colors of permanent markers that closely match your fabric, you can use them as well. Water-based markers will also work in a pinch, but the color won’t last through the next washing. To use, make a paste of hot water and cream of tartar. Apply the paste to the stain, and let it work for at least 15 minutes. Rinse and repeat if necessary. For rust stains, boost the cleaning power by mixing cream of tartar with a bit of lemon juice. The added acid from the lemons will help to remove the stains.
