Stain: Grass
Washables: Apply a prewash treatment product to your stain and let sit for about 15 minutes. For a more natural approach, you can use a solution made up of one part white vinegar to two parts water. Use a toothbrush to work the liquid into the area. Finish with a quick wash using an enzyme detergent, which breaks down proteins and lifts the stain from your garment.
Nonwashables: Apply a combination solvent (a store-bought stain fighter like Shout or Zout) and let sit for 15 minutes. Use an eyedropper and diluted ammonia or vinegar to remove any remaining color. Thoroughly flush the area with cool water.
Stain: Ink
Washables: Put glycerin on the spot (hairspray will work, too), then treat with a detergent like Woolite and very little water. Gently rub to form suds and rinse.
Nonwashables: Same as for washables, but instead of rinsing the suds, just dab water onto the area.
Stain: Machinery Grease
Washables: Place the soiled garment facedown on clean paper towels and apply an oil solvent like Carbona. Let clothing air-dry, then rinse. Machine wash, using the hottest water recommended for the fabric.
Nonwashables: Take to dry cleaner for best results.
Stain: Mud
Washables: Let dry, then brush off as much as possible. Apply a gentle detergent, such as Woolite, and water. Rub to form suds, then rinse. Next, lighten any remaining stain with a combination of one part white vinegar and one part water. Machine wash.
Nonwashables: Let dry, then carefully brush off as much as possible. Use an eyedropper to apply a solution made from one tablespoon of liquid dishwashing detergent, like Ivory, and one cup water. Rinse with cold water.
Stain: Rust
Washables: Treat with a commercial rust remover that’s safe for fabrics, like Rx For Spotting Rust Remover. Then launder as usual. If you don’t have a special rust-removal product, pretreat the stain with a product containing surfactants (lubricating agents found in most detergents), then launder. No matter what: Don’t add chlorine bleach to the mix. It reacts with the rust, intensifying the discoloration.
Nonwashables: For a nontoxic cleaner, mix cream of tartar with water or hydrogen peroxide to make a thick paste; apply and rub with a cloth
Stain: Tree Sap
Washables: Remove as much as possible with a dull knife or a spoon. Rub in a lubricant, like glycerin, and let sit until the sap softens. Place the garment stain-side down on a stack of paper towels and tap to loosen the sap. Rinse. If any stain remains, apply a stick or spray stain remover and let sit for 15 minutes. Machine wash.
Nonwashables: Take to drycleaner for best results. If you can’t, remove as much as you can with dull knife. Try rubbing alcohol or acetone, but use sparingly. Blot with a napkin and rinse with cold water.
Stain: Wax
Washables: Let the wax harden, or freeze it by placing it in the freezer for 20 minutes. Scrape off as much as possible. Stretch the fabric over a bowl, then from a height of about one foot, carefully pour boiling water over it to clean the residue.
Nonwashables: Let the wax harden, or freeze it by placing it in the freezer for 20 minutes. Scrape off as much as possible. Apply an oil solvent, such as Carbona Stain Devil #5, to clean the residue. Rinse with cold water.
