Prewash Treatment Recommendations?

[scoots]

I need to go shopping soon and I am out of spray laundry stain remover. Usually I just grab what's on sale that day but I thought I'd ask the experts on their favorites.

I borrowed a buddy's spray bottle of "Shout Action Gel" and I noticed an interesting feature "... Apply Shout as soon as possible to help prevent stains from setting... up to a week before washing".

That made me think I need to reconsider my buying strategy.

I need a good spray treatment because I'm a messy eater.

Thanks,

Scoots

 

[hoovermatic]

from one messy eater to another

I find Vanish Oxy Action is excellent but not sure if you can get that in the US?

 

[frigilux]

I've tried several sprays/gels, but I find the Spray 'n' Wash stain stick (works like a stick of deodorant) works best.

For very greasy stains, I like to blot on some Lestoil (a Pine-Sol type of degreaser); but be warned, there's a bit of pine scent to your clothing if you use very much of it in one load. Someone else recommended applying Dawn dishwashing liquid directly to greasy stains; haven't tried that, yet.

 

[irishwashguy]

sometimes

I use the stain stick the first time, if that does not do it, then I take out my oxy clean, while the garment is still wet, rub it into the fabric, I let it sit for about a half an hour, this always does the trick without fail. I also loves the bleaching pens for whites, or the total ghetto bleach pen is simply this: I take the cap off of the Clorox bottle, making sure that I am really careful not to spill the bleach on me, put the bleach in the cap, take a Q-tip, dip it in the bleach, and dab stain on white garment, let it sit for ten minutes---amazing!! Makes the stain run away!!

 

[whirlcool]

We tried Spray & Wash in the spray can and it doesn't seem to work as good as the Spray & Wash in the plastic spray bottle. Spray & Wash does do a good job of stain removal.

 

[kenwashesmonday]

For grease stains or ring around the collar/cuffs, try a little dab of Goop hand cleaner. It's amazing!

Ken D.

 

[pulsator]

For any kind of blood or grease stains, I simply spray some hydrogen peroxide on it. It works best if u get in on immediately, it'll foam all over the place if it is grease or blood, that mean it's gettin the stain out! YAY!

 

[sudsman]

Hydrogen peroxide

We use 10% H/P here and it gets out almost anything.. without any damage to the linen ... You must use gloves with it as it will burn your hands.. We use 8 oz on a 100 lb load of surgery linen and it always gets the load clean and has a nice fresh odor . Usually that work smells awful..

 

[danemodsandy]

Don't Forget Fels

Fels-Naphtha works well on collar soils and grass stains. It's also an excellent remedy for poison ivy/oak exposure. The moment you realise you've been exposed, wash yourself and your clothes with Fels. Works very well to break down the plant oils that cause the allergic reaction. Fels recently saved a sweater my housemate was abusing- he'd worn it for grubby jobs because it looked dirty and he figured why dry-clean an old sweater he was using for yard work, etc. anyway? I looked at the label- it was Brooks and it was washable wool/acrylic. Pretreating the cuffs and neck with Fels and some presoaking before washing brought it back up to such good condition that it's now one of his "good" sweaters.

Goop is FANTASTIC on lipstick stains- they're petroleum-based anyway, same as the grease you pick up doing auto repairs. My good damask napkins get much more use once I discovered the use of Goop for stain removal. A light spray starching also helps- the stain can't penetrate quite as much. Don't starch napkins heavily- they feel unpleasant, and since they must be folded, the stiffening effect of too much starch will cause fibres to break along the folds. You won't notice anything for a while, then one grim day, you've got a frayed spot. Then another. Then another.

Goop even works on- SHUDDER!- polyester napkins. Spray 'n Wash works well for general laundry. I don't use straight bleach as a pretreatment due to its tendency to weaken natural fibres like cotton. A plain cold-water soak will remove blood and other body-fluid stains, no product necessary in my experience. Soak for an hour or two (or overnight if that's convenient), then wash as usual.

 

[pturo]

Spray and Wash does a great job in dissolving the finish on your washing machine control panel, too. Be careful where you spray it.

 

[danemodsandy]

pturo:

You are absolutely right about that! Be particularly careful on Whirlys, where most all the top is painted, not just the console.