Cleaning hack removes all stains from clothes using 55p product you already own
Rid your cherished shirt of that stubborn food stain with this convenient cleaning tip.
We've all had those unfortunate dining experiences where our favourite garment becomes the casualty of a dinner spill. Sometimes, a cycle in the washing machine will do the trick, but often, we're compelled to take more extreme measures.
The gamble, however, lies in the initial wash - if the mark doesn't vanish, chances are you've just embedded it deeper into the fabric, making removal via conventional means a far more daunting task. Yet, there's a remarkably easy solution. Avid cleaners on Reddit vouch for a certain technique that's incredibly effective in eliminating even the most tenacious of stains, including oily blunders.
The beauty of this hack is that it requires nothing beyond what is likely already present in your home, and should you need to purchase it, it costs just 55p. This ingenious method came to light on Reddit following a plea for advice.
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The poster explained that, having bought the jumper second-hand and subjecting it to multiple washes, they couldn't remove two "set" stains. They also said they had tried stain remover but had no luck.
However, they need not have worried as people quickly came forth with a variety of suggestions. A particular favourite among the tips was to tackle the mark with washing up liquid before proceeding with a regular machine wash.
One response from the thread advised: "Looks like oil stains. If they are, they'll come out if you treat them with some dish soap and launder as usual." Another chimed in with: "I would put a few drops of dish soap on them and rub it in, then rinse out the foam before putting it on a high-temperature cycle."
The original poster later updated the forum with successful news, revealing: "Applying some dish soap to the stained area and scrubbing it gently with an old toothbrush managed to do the job!"
Cleaning experts at Smol explain that washing up liquid can effectively remove oil spots as it is designed to cut through grease when dealing with dirty dishes. Nevertheless, they caution against using green-coloured washing up liquids as these could leave additional stains.
They also suggest initially drawing out the stain by sprinkling bicarbonate of soda onto it and leaving it for 30 minutes, which will absorb some of the stain and make it easier to remove.
