STAIN! It can happen to all of us, not just children. As hard as we tried, stains on clothing are impossible to avoid! Whether from the Teh Tarik at breakfast that you accidently spilled because of your butterfingers; the curry that splashed while you were rushing at lunch break or the cooking oil that splattered from the fish you were deep-frying in the wok for dinner ~ these are among the source of common marks on your clothes that may not be easily clean with normal washing.

The best time to treat a stain is as soon as possible as fresh stains are much easier to remove than those that have dried into the fabric. However at times when treating the spot immediately is not possible, treat it before you throw it into the washing machine or hand washing it, together with the rest of your dirty clothes. Not spot treating the stain may cause it to penetrate into the fabric or spread to other clothes in the laundry load. And, before you start cleaning the stain (or making it worst by causing it to set!), first and foremost is to identify the type of stain and how to go about cleaning it!

Quick Act is Key

For fresh stains, blot as much liquid/stain as possible with a clean white cloth or tissue. Do not rub on the stain, especially if you are using dark-coloured cloth. For thick spill such as a blob of tomato sauce, remove excess solid with the edge of dull tools such as spoon, back of knife, etc. Do not rub on the stain as the stain may go deeper into the fabric.

Determine Type of Stain

Stains are inevitable so keeping stain removal products at home all the time is reasonable. However, you need to identify the source of stain to remove it effectively. Is it water-based (coffee, urine, water colour, etc.)? Or is it oil-based stain (petroleum-based: grease, make-up, crayon; vegetable-base: cooking oil, salad dressing)? Should you be using the stain removal products with cold water, warm water or hot water? There is no set rule for the best water temperature to remove stains. However, generally always use cold water to tackle the stain, and use hot water only for petroleum-based stains. Remember to always check your item’s care label for specific instructions.

How to Remove the Stain Effectively?

There are all sorts of remedies for stain removal. Home ingredients such as white vinegar, lemon juice, table salt, baking soda, etc are among commonly used for specific type of stains. However, some are effective and some are not, and some takes longer time or a few rounds of treatments to see visible result.

Your best bet is to use a stain remover or detergent that is an enzyme-based product which will help break the bonds between the stain and the fabric. Oxygen bleach can also be used as it is generally safe for all types of fabrics, except silk and wool. However, it is advisable to test the product you choose on a hidden area of the clothes to ensure no damage on the colour or material of the clothes as some fabric may not be colourfast. For pre-treating a stain, a stain remover spray is more 'spot on' compared to soaking with detergent and oxygen-bleach!

How to Use….

Stain Remover Spray

1. Spray the stain remover directly on the targeted area.
2. Rub on the stain and leave for 1-2 minutes.
3. Wash as usual.

Detergent Powder / Liquid

1. Apply a bit of detergent and water directly on the stain and leave it for less than 30 minutes, scrub gently.
2. Rinse out the stain.
3. Wash as usual.

Oxygen Bleach

1. Soak in oxygen bleach for less than 30 minutes.
2. Scrub gently.
3. Wash as usual.

Tips: Do not put stained clothes in the dryer unless the stain has been removed!

Assemble the RIGHT products with XTRA WASH and you are GOOD to go!

Good news is…ZHULIAN has a complete range of laundry care products to help you tackle your dirty clothes! XTRA WASH range consists of XTRA WASH Concentrated Laundry Compound as well as XTRA WASH Ultra White Bleach Powder, and the newly introduced products such as XTRA WASH Fabric Softener and XTRA WASH Laundry Pre-Wash.

This XTRA WASH Laundry Pre-Wash contains active components that are derived from nature, which are non-harmful, pH neutral and non-toxic. It works great on tough stains such as dirt, grease, blood, etc yet formulated to be safe on most washable fabrics as well as gentle on skin. It is so easy to use…simply spray it directly on the stained spot, leave for a while and launder as usual.