Getting Stains Out of Your Favorite Sweatshirts

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Blank sweatshirts are a beautiful canvas on which to put your favorite designs, logos, or other creative image of your choice. Sweatshirts are a favorite go-to for many people because they are so comfortable. They are perfect for lounging around the house or wearing outside on a cool day. In fact, people wear sweatshirts so much, it’s no wonder stains find their way onto this piece of clothing. Stains on any piece of clothing are a nuisance, but there are ways to deal with them, especially if you are quick to take action. It is first important to understand different kinds of stains.

Types of Stains

Stains usually fall into two different categories: dyes and proteins. Most stains are usually one or the other, or a combination of the two.

Dyes are usually found in colored items like vegetables, fruits, and plants. When handled immediately, these are pretty simple to get out of clothing. They become much more stubborn if they are allowed to set in, however.

Proteins can often be treated with detergents that have enzymes. The enzymes help to dissolve fats and break down the proteins.

Combination stains can usually be treated with a detergent first, then laundered like normal with a stain solution applied.

Dye Stains

Fruit and juice stains can be a nightmare if allowed to set. It helps to avoid using soap-based products with fruit or fruit juice stains, since this could make the stain set in the fabric. For particularly stubborn stains, put an enzyme-based detergent in a quart of warm water and soak the stain for about 30 minutes. Then launder the sweatshirt on the hottest setting allowed for that fabric.

Grass stains pervade on the clothing of active young people. The same technique can be applied here for stubborn stains with a slight temperature difference—soak the stain in an enzyme-based detergent and a quart of cool water for 30 minutes. Avoid using hot water with grass-type stains. If the stain remains after washing, soak it again for another 30 minutes.

Protein Stains

Mud is fairly simple to remove if you let it dry completely. For mud spots that remain, you can usually get it out by soaking it with a quart of warm water, a teaspoon of dish soap, and a tablespoon of white vinegar. Let the stain soak for 15 minutes, then rinse. You can also try dabbing the stain with rubbing alcohol if it still persists.

Combination

Sauce stains may look stubborn, but if you soak them in cool water with a half of a teaspoon of dish soap and a tablespoon of vinegar for half an hour, they usually come out. After soaking, stubborn stains can be pre-treated with a stain remover, then washed on a warm cycle.

Coffee stains are best handled fresh. Wash your sweatshirt in cold water first, then try rubbing the stain with laundry detergent and cold water. Let it soak for half an hour, rubbing in the detergent every once in a while. Next, wash the sweatshirt on the hottest setting allowed for the fabric. Do not dry until the stain has been completely removed.

Quick Tips to Remember

Stains on your favorite blank sweatshirt might seem like a nightmare, but they are most easily removed if treated immediately. Remember to always check your stained sweatshirt after washing to make sure the stain is removed before drying it. Another pre-treat and wash cycle may be better for getting out a stain than having it permanently set in by a dry cycle.  If all else fails – try Greased Lightning…it’s fabulous for removing stains!

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