DIY Network

Stains 1: Home Remedies From "Talking Dirty With the Queen of Clean" episode DQOC-145

Figure A

Can your family and friends tell what you had to eat for lunch by looking at the clothes you're wearing? Do you get rid of clothes because you can't get rid of those lunch stains? If so, it's time to listen up as we talk dirty and share recipes for removing stubborn stains. You'll be surprised at the stain removing products in your home that you never considered for stain removal.

• Salad dressing -- Grease removes grease. Place a cloth under the stain, then spray the stained area with WD-40 (figure A). Let it soak, pour a generous amount of liquid dishwashing soap on the grease, work in thoroughly and launder as usual.

• Blood -- Put the stained portion of the fabric over a bowl and secure in place with a rubber band. Pour hydrogen peroxide over the stain; it will bubble up as it lifts the stain from the fabric. If any of the stain remains, sprinkle on unseasoned meat tenderizer, which will digest the protein in the blood. Launder as usual.

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Figure B

• Perspiration stains -- Dissolve 8 to 10 aspirin tablets in a cup of hot water and pour over the stain; the acid in the aspirin will remove the stain.

• Rust -- If the clothing is white, pour lemon juice on the stain and let it soak in the sun, then launder. For colored clothing, pour on lemon juice, apply cream of tartar and dip up and down in hot water (figure B).

• Mustard -- Mustard is a stubborn stain that can often be permanent. Apply glycerin to the stain and let it soak for up to 30 minutes, depending on the depth of the stain. Rub the glycerin into the stain with your thumbs, apply a good laundry prespotter, let it soak for a few minutes and launder.