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University of Illinois Extension
Jams/jelly/preserves

Jams/jelly/preserves

Treat stains as soon as possible after staining. The older the stain, the more difficult it will be to remove.

All stain removal methods should be applied prior to laundering washable garments. Stains that have been laundered and dried are almost impossible to remove.

Washable Fabrics

What you will need

  • Liquid hand dishwashing detergent
  • White vinegar
  • Rubbing alcohol
  • Enzyme presoak product
  • Chlorine bleach or oxygen bleach
Caution: Never mix chlorine bleach with ammonia - fumes are hazardous.

Steps to Clean

  1. Soak for 15 minutes in mixture of one quart lukewarm water, one-half teaspoon liquid hand dishwashing detergent and one tablespoon white vinegar. Rinse.
  2. Sponge with rubbing alcohol, using light motions from center to edge of stain.
  3. Soak for 30 minutes in one quart warm water with one tablespoon enzyme presoak products.
  4. If color stain remains, launder in chlorine bleach if safe for the fabric, or in oxygen bleach.

Carpet

What you will need

  • Detergent
  • Ammonia

Steps to Clean

  1. Scrape off excess foreign material.
  2. Mix one tablespoon of liquid dishwashing detergent with two cups of warm water.
  3. Using a clean white cloth, sponge the stain with the detergent solution.
  4. Blot until the liquid is absorbed.
  5. Repeat Steps 3 and 4 until the stain disappears.
  6. If the stain remains, mix one tablespoon of ammonia with two cups of warm water. (Caution: Never mix chlorine bleach and ammonia – fumes are hazardous)
  7. Sponge the stain with the ammonia solution.
  8. Blot until the liquid is absorbed.
  9. Sponge with cold water and blot dry.

Upholstery

What you will need

  • White vinegar
  • Rubbing alcohol

Steps to Clean

  1. Mix one tablespoon of white vinegar with 2/3 cup of rubbing alcohol.
  2. Using a clean white cloth, sponge the stain with the vinegar/alcohol solution.
  3. Blot until the liquid is absorbed.
  4. Repeat Steps 2 and 3 until the stain disappears.