In the blog about stubborn stains (LINK) you can find tips to get your clothes clean again. They are a good guide for you to follow. Gall soap is a proven home remedy in many cases, but depending on the type of stain and the fibers, certain natural remedies help better than others.
Basically, the most powerful home remedies are vinegar, citric acid and baking soda - used properly, they will make most stains disappear.
Grass stains
It's quick and your child's shirt is covered in grass stains. An unusual home remedy helps against fresh grass stains on white textiles. Let the clothes soak in milk overnight, then rinse them in the morning and wash them normally in the washing machine.
For sturdy fabrics like jeans, lemon juice is an excellent choice. Simply squeeze a fresh lemon and let the juice soak for about 30 minutes - do not moisten the stain with water beforehand. Immediately after soaking, you should wash the fabric at high temperatures in the washing machine. The care label will tell you the maximum temperature the garment can withstand.
No fresh lemon at home? Vinegar is also suitable for light-colored and insensitive fabrics. Put some vinegar on the stain and massage it gently, 15 minutes later put the garment in the washing machine.
If these home remedies are not enough to completely remove the stain, the sun will help. Thanks to the bleaching UV rays, the last shade will disappear if you hang the clothes damp outside. This tip also helps with pumpkin seed oil, the color of which otherwise remains in the fabric.
Red wine stains
The classic among the troublesome stains are those of red wine. Often, when having dinner in the restaurant, you do not have the opportunity to take the first measures. This ensures that the stain penetrates deep into the fibers. With lemon juice or vinegar you win the fight against the dried stains. The reason for this is the acid that dissolves color particles: dab the home remedy onto the stain with a cloth and let it work for 15 minutes. Then dab again with a paper towel, spray cold water over it and dab one last time.
For fresh red wine stains, carbonated mineral water is a proven way to wash it out. For more delicate garments, salt is suitable for soaking up as it is less aggressive. This does not apply to fibers such as silk or wool.
Blood stains
Wash out blood stains immediately with cold water, so they disappear quickly. Dried blood, on the other hand, requires more effort: soak the fabric in cold water and sprinkle the stain with baking soda or baking powder. After a few hours of soaking, wash the fabric as usual.
This method is also suitable for blood stains on the mattress. After the baking soda-water mixture has taken effect, wipe it off with a paper towel and simply remove the residue with cold water.
Stains from liquids containing protein
Protein coagulates at temperatures above 40 °C, so stains containing protein should never be washed out warm. This includes, for example, stains from latte, ice cream, blood or whipped cream.
Grease stains
Fat is not water-soluble, which makes the use of emulsifiers necessary. These surfactants are contained, for example, in bile soap or also the vegan curd soap. For fresh grease stains, a little baking soda helps to soak up the liquid.
Yellow deodorant stains and sweat stains
Yellow deodorant stains are particularly stubborn. The magic ingredient citric acid helps with white textiles: dissolve ten grams of the powder in a liter of water and soak the affected garment for 24 hours. Then rinse and wash as warm as possible.
When handling citric acid, you should wear gloves to protect your skin. Because of the bleaching effect of citric acid, extra care is needed with colored textiles. Therefore, first test on an inconspicuous area to make sure that the color does not fade.
A lye made of baking soda (two packets) and water fights sweat stains and yellowing - simply soak in it and wash out.
Stains on delicate textiles
Not every fiber tolerates citric acid, vinegar and co. With sensitive natural fibers such as silk or wool, you should proceed carefully so as not to destroy the fabric. Pure alcohol from the pharmacy is the right choice. Wet a cloth with it and dab the stain until it has disappeared.
A lesser known remedy is sea foam powder, which is made of magnesium silicate. You can find it in drugstores or pharmacies. Sea foam powder also fights grease stains on silk or wool. Sprinkle a good portion on the stain, gently pat it in and leave it for five to ten minutes. Then dab and wash. Repeat this method until the stain is no longer visible.
For delicate fibers, proceed with caution and always test on inconspicuous areas first. If in doubt, take particularly expensive pieces to a specialist.