[Skip to Content]
University of Illinois Extension
Flavored Drink

Flavored Drink

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

  • Heavy-duty liquid detergent
  • Dilute solution of all-fabric powdered bleach
  • Liquid chlorine bleach
  • Commercial color remover

Steps to Clean

  1. Pretreat the stain with heavy-duty liquid detergent. Rinse.
  2. Soak fabric in dilute solution of all-fabric powdered bleach.
  3. If stain persists and garment is white or colorfast, soak entire garment in diluted solution of liquid chlorine bleach and water. Chlorine bleach may change the color of the garment or cause irreversible damage. Check for bleach tolerance on a hidden seam. If stain does not come out in 15 minutes of bleaching, if cannot be removed by bleaching.
  4. If bleaching is not safe or does not work, use a commercial color remover according to package directions. Note that color remover will take out the fabric color as well as the stain. Do not exceed 160 degrees Fahrenheit water with any synthetic fabrics*. Launder.

*Synthetic Fabrics are: Acetate, Acrylic, Polyester, Nylon, Olefin, Triacetate and anything labeled static-resistant, wrinkle-resistant, permanent-press, no-iron, stain-proof or moth-repellent

Carpet

What you will need

  • Dull knife
  • Wet vacuum (for spilled liquid)
  • Detergent
  • 3% Hydrogen peroxide

Steps to Clean

  1. Blot up as much of the stain as is possible by blotting with a white paper towel or scraping with a dull knife. A wet vacuum is useful if a large quantity of liquid was spilled.
  2. If spot has dried, saturate the tufts in the affected area with tap water (do not over wet). Allow to remain for about 1 minute and blot. If the spot is being removed using water, continue until the spot is completely removed. Blot dry and apply the paper towels and brick. If the stain is not completely removed, continue.
  3. Apply a small quantity of detergent solution to the spot. (To make the detergent solution mix 1/4 teaspoon of a hand dishwashing detergent which does not contain lanolin or bleach with 1 quart of water) Use a blotting motion to work the detergent into the affected area. If spot is being removed continue applying detergent and blotting with a white paper towel until spot is removed.
  4. Rinse with tap water using a spray bottle, blot to remove excess moisture.
  5. Spray lightly with water, do not blot this time; apply pad of paper towels and brick and allow to dry.
  6. If there is still some stain on the carpet and blotting is not removing it, then moisten the tufts in the stained area with 3% hydrogen peroxide. Let stand for on (1) hour. Blot and repeat until carpet is stain free. Light will cause peroxide to change back to water so no rinsing is necessary. Apply pad of paper towels and weight down with brick.