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How to Pre-Treat Laundry Stains & Odors

January 17, 2024

By Sophia Grant

Accidents happen. For example, that glass of wine you’re enjoying can easily spill onto your shirt.

Don’t worry, though, these stubborn stains can be removed. If anything, you just want to be quick about it. The longer you wait, the harder it’ll be to lift stains from the fabric.

What’s the best way to get rid of a laundry stain? Should you use cold water or hot water? Is pre-treating stains necessary?

For the answers, be sure to keep reading. We’ll be going over how to remove stains from clothes below.

The Key to Getting Rid of Stubborn Stains

Instead of throwing your stained shirt in the washer, pre-treat it with some laundry detergent or stain remover.

Depending on the type of stain, you might even be able to use other things like nail polish remover or hydrogen peroxide.

Different Ways to Remove Stains From Your Clothes

Here are a few ways to get rid of those tough stains (e.g. rust stains, grease stains, dirt stains)

Making a Stain Remover with ACTIVE Enzyme Laundry Booster

ACTIVE Enzyme Laundry Booster is not only great for regular laundry, you can also use it to make a stain remover.

Step 1: Create a Detergent Mixture

Start by filling a container or bowl with some lukewarm water. Add a bit of ACTIVE Enzyme Laundry Booster and agitate the water with your hands to help it dissolve.

Step 2: Saturate the Stain

Using a sponge, saturate the stain with the laundry booster solution. Let it sit for at least an hour—that will allow the product to help lift the stain.

Step 3: Rinse With Water

Rinse the stained garment with clean water afterwards. Check to see if the blemish is still present on the material. Once the stain is gone, you can launder the item as normal.

If it’s still visible, you might have to do another round of pre-treatment with ACTIVE Enzyme Laundry Booster.

Supply:

ACTIVE Enzyme Laundry Booster
Water
Sponge

ACTIVE Enzyme Laundry Booster

Works as an in-wash booster or use it to create the ultimate pre-treatment solution!

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Using Vinegar and Baking Soda as a Stain Remover

Vinegar is a great cleaning agent and can be used for stain removal – especially if you pair it with baking soda. It’s also the only stain remover that most of us already have in the house.

Supplies:

Water
Baking soda
White vinegar
Soft bristle brush

Step 1:

In a small bowl, combine one part lukewarm water with two parts baking soda. Next, add a couple of tablespoons of vinegar.

Step 2:

Using a soft bristle brush, apply the baking soda paste onto the stain, making sure to saturate the entire area.

Let it sit for at least one hour.

Step 3:

Rinse the mixture off with water. Once the stain is gone, you can launder the item as normal.

If it’s still visible, you might have to repeat the steps again – continue until there’s no more discoloration on the item.

Using a Commercial Stain Remover

In some cases, you may need to use a commercial product to get rid of that wine stain.

For example, you can get the ones that come as a spray. Simply apply it onto the fabric and rub it in. Let it sit for a few minutes and it should get rid of the spot.

Alternatively, you can get a stain remover stick. They’re small, compact, and great for light stains.

To use the stick, simply rub it onto the stained area. Let it sit for a few minutes, according to the directions, and rinse with cold water afterwards

Best Way to Pre-Treat Odors on Clothes

Stains are icky but so are odors in the laundry room.

Fortunately, the washing machine is capable of tackling most of these odors. In some cases, however, you might need to do a little bit of extra work. We’ll be going over a few methods below.