Removing Cookout Stains

Removing Cookout Stains

Summer time is the cookout season, which means hamburgers, hotdogs, and plenty of potential stains. Not to worry, today’s tip will show you how to remove those pesky stains from your garments.

Always remember, the process of removing a stain varies depending on the garments fabric and the stain type. Treatments that may work on cotton could damage or destroy silk, wool, Rayon etc. Always read the care labels and never dry or iron a stained item. Bring garments to a professional cleaner if they say dry clean only or if the stain remains after treatment.

Removing Ketchup, Barbeque Sauce and Mustard Stains

React quickly.

Don’t give your stain time to set itself comfortably into the fabric of your clothes. The sooner a stain is treated the better the chance of removal.

Remove excess

Use a dull edge, like the back of a butter knife or the edge of a spoon, to remove the excess ketchup, mustard or BBQ sauce from you garment. Be careful not to damage the fabric and work from the outside in to prevent spreading the stain.

Flip it

Turn the garment inside out so when you treat the stain it is forced out of your clothing and not further into the fabric. Place a light colored cloth under the stain to prevent it from spreading to the other side of your clothes.

The Solution

Mix together a solution of water and white/clear dish detergent, and then blot the stain to push it out of your garment. The dish detergent will help to break down the stain as well as dyes like turmeric, which give mustard its yellow color.

Rinse and wash

Soak the garment in warm water, and then wash the item. Be sure not to dry or iron the garment until you are 100% sure the stain is out. If the stain persists get it to our professionals, we will be able to get the stain out without causing harm to the fabric of your clothes.

What Not to Do
Never treat non-washable items, always bring them to a professional. (Silks, wool, rayon etc.) To prevent spreading and protect fabrics always blot a stain. Rubbing will only spread the stain and possibly damage the fabric. Do not use bleaching agents as these will damage most fabrics Never use ammonia or cleaning products that contain ammonia on mustard, this can set the yellow dye into you garment. Never dry or apply heat to a stained garment, this will set the stain.