Fabric Care Tips

Tips for removing stubborn stains on household fabrics include:

Immediately blot up as much of the stain as possible with paper towels. Time is of the essence: It takes just a few moments to go from a harmless spill to a nasty stain.

Do not rub a stain. Rubbing will embed the stain deeper into the fiber.

When wiping or rinsing the stained area of a rug, be careful not to get it too wet. Turn over or replace the cloth or paper towels as often as needed.

A toothbrush or other soft-bristled brush is often a great help in dislodging the stain.

It is always best to test a new cleaning solution in that legendary inconspicuous area first, to ensure it will not bleach or stain your fabric.

Don't get too complacent about household fabrics treated with soil resistant products. They may come cleaner than untreated items, but they still must be regularly cleaned.

Some stains require a bit of extra effort to rid them from your home. Campbell offers the following suggestions:

Candlewax:

• Cold Remedy: Place several ice cubes in a plastic bag and press against the drippings so wax gets brittle and can be pulled or broken off, a plastic spatula can be invaluable.
  
• Hot Remedy: Place paper towels over the wax and carefully press a warm iron on it for a few seconds, long enough to soften the wax and coax it off onto the paper towel. Turn or replace the towel often..

Chewing gum:

Try the same "cold approach" as used for candle wax. Hopefully you'll get most of it up using this method. Small bits left can be cut out, or use a solvent to dissolve the gum and a paper towel to blot it up.

Coffee:

Mix 1/8 cup white dish washing liquid per quart of water. Wash the fabric with this solution.