How to remove any "summer" stains from clothes: a laundry expert shares his tips

Summer is not only a time of relaxation, but also a period when stains on clothes appear as if by themselves. All of this makes laundry a lot more difficult, especially in families with children who are natural magnets for dirt and stains.

However, clothing care expert Alex Ekons says that it's not that difficult to systematize and facilitate summer clothing care. The main thing is to know a few simple rules. OBOZ.UA tells you more about them.

Contamination in the summer can be very different - traces of soft drinks, greasy spots from sunscreen, streaks of grass, pollen and sand from the beach. It won't be too difficult or expensive to get rid of them, and you already have most of the ingredients you need at home or can easily buy them.

Always inspect your clothes for stains before washing them, as they need to be treated before you put them in the machine. Spot application of the appropriate products will remove all dirt even before that. Not only will this save you money and time by reducing the use of detergent and rinsing, but it will also work more efficiently.

Sweat stains

Yellow marks that appear due to sweat are best cleaned with a vinegar-based solution. It will be more delicate to the tissues than chlorine bleach, and no less effective.

To prepare a solution for removing yellow stains, mix half a teaspoon of laundry detergent with a quarter cup of white vinegar and a quarter cup of cool water. Apply the resulting paste directly to the stains, lightly rubbing the contaminated areas, and then wash the garment immediately.

By the way, if you need to whiten a white garment, it is best to dry it after removing sweat stains in direct sunlight. The sun naturally bleaches fabrics, lightens any stains and disinfects textiles.

Traces of grass

Grass is rich in chlorophyll, a green pigment that is involved in the process of photosynthesis. It is extremely useful for all living things, as it helps to convert carbon dioxide into oxygen, but it leaves very persistent stains on things.

Chlorophyll can be countered with medical alcohol. Use a clean sponge to remove as much dirt as possible from your clothes, and then soak a cotton swab in alcohol and treat the stain with it. Leave the product on for 5-10 minutes. Then rinse the fabric with cold water and repeat the cleaning process if necessary.

Sand in the fabric

Sand can get deeply embedded in the fibers, creating stains. It can be quite difficult to get rid of it. Before you start cleaning your clothes, remember that this substance is hydrophilic, which means it sticks to anything wet. Sand can be contrasted with something hydrophobic, that is, a substance that repels water. This is the property of fabric softener.

Dissolve the cap of the fabric softener in a bowl of warm water and soak the sandy clothes for a short time. Normal washing after soaking will effectively remove it from the fibers.

Juice stains

Such stains can appear when you eat berries or fruits or drink summer cocktails. The main rule is to never wash juice stains with hot water. It will only fix the pigment in the fabric. Therefore, remove the stained item and soak it in cold water as soon as possible. You can also rub the stained area with an ice cube.

Before washing, you should also treat the stain with lemon juice. It is colorless and, thanks to its acidity, eats away at natural pigments. Just leave a little juice on the stain for 30 minutes, and then wash the item in the usual way.

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