For some families, back to school can be a terribly sad day in your household or parents are secretly throwing a “BTS” (back to school) party! It’s officially the end of the summer and the kids are off to school. For younger children especially, the school year brings stains and marks on their clothes. Be prepared to fight each stain with this Back To School Stain Guide.
Before we get into how to battle each different stain they might bring home, lets first get the supplies you will need to have on hand.
- Hydrogen Peroxide
- Rubbing Alcohol
- Oxygen bleach
- Chlorine bleach
- White terry hand cloths
- Iron
- Bar of white soap (Ivory)
- Cotton balls
- Stiff brush
- Distilled white vinegar
- Small spray bottle
Markers – Place the stain face down on a white washcloth or a paper towel. Dab the area with a cotton ball dipped in rubbing alcohol. The stain will transfer to the cloth or paper towel. Do not pour the alcohol over the stain as it will bleed into the surrounding fabric.
Crayons – Scrap any excess crayon with a table knife or spoon. Using a hot iron, place a white washcloth over the stain and rub the iron over the area. You should see the stain transfer to the washcloth. Then use a drop of dish detergent and work the soap into the area. Rinse and let the fabric air dry. Repeat the process until the stain is gone.
Water-based glue – Place the stain in very warm water and let the water work to soften the glue. Peel the glue off as it softens.
Super Glue – Super Glue can be removed with an acetone-based nail polish. Place the stain in very warm water to soften the glue. Then using a cotton ball dampened with nail polish, dab the area. The glue should peel right off.
Lead pencil marks – Start by using a pencil eraser and rubbing the stain off the fabric. Then using a gentle liquid dish detergent, place a few drops on the stain and rub it into the fabric. Rinse out the soap and let the item air dry. Continue to repeat the process until the stain is removed.
Grass – Mix up a solution of one part distilled white vinegar and two parts water. Put it into a spray bottle. Spray the grass stain with the mixture and let it sit for 15 minutes. Using a stiff brush, rub the area until the stain is loosened and starting to come out of the fabric. Rinse the area and repeat by spraying and scrubbing until the stain is gone.
Salad dressing – Start by blotting the greasy stain with rubbing alcohol on a cotton ball. Soak the entire area and let it sit for a few minutes. Using a bar of white soap on the area, rub it until it creates a lather. Rinse the soap and alcohol out of the fabric and let it air dry. If the stain persists repeat the process until it disappears.
Chocolate milk – Start by running cool water through the back of the stain. This may remove most if not all of the chocolate milk. Then mix up a paste of powdered oxygen bleach and water and rub it into the area. Let it sit for a few minutes and then rinse the fabric. Wash normally and let the item air dry. Repeat the process until the stain is removed.
Ballpoint pen – Treat the area with a cotton ball dipped in nail polish. The pen mark will disappear.
