Laundromat Cleaning Hints and Tips
Fabric Care & Stain Removal Guide
As clothing typically sees the most wear and tear through the laundering process, all Speed Queen products are designed, tested and proven to provide both the highest level of clean, and care for your garments.
In addition to following your machine’s operating instructions, the following information outlines the various methods of stain removal to ensure your clothes remain in pristine condition. Should you require any further advice, please contact us.
Stain Removal
- It is imperative to treat soils as soon as possible; many won’t become stains if treated promptly, whereas older stains may be difficult or impossible to remove.
- As hot water will set some stains, particularly protein based stains, be sure to use cold or warm water on these before washing in hot water.
- Always follow the instructions on the clothing care label and on stain removal products.
- When removing a stain, treat from the back of the fabric unless otherwise noted. This will force the stain off the surface instead of driving it through the fabric.
- Always test to be sure that a stain removal product will not damage fabric by applying to a small part of the fabric that is not easily seen.
WARNING
Never put highly flammable substances like petrol, kerosene, waxes, cooking oils, dry cleaning solvents, etc. into a washer or dryer. Never put articles that have been cleaned with such substances into a washer or dryer. Failure to comply with these warnings could result in a fire, explosion, and/or serious burns or death. All items with these substances on them should be thoroughly hand-washed with a detergent so that no trace of the flammable substances remains. The articles can then be machine washed and/or dried.
STAIN
RECOMMENDED TREATMENT
Alcoholic Beverages
Rinse stain immediately with cold water or soak stain for 30 minutes in cold water. Apply detergent or dishwashing liquid to any trace of stain while still wet. If safe for the fabric, wash in hot water using chlorine bleach.
Baby Food, Formula
Rinse with cold water. Soak with an enzyme soaking product. Rinse. Wash as usual. If stain remains, apply a pretreat product and wash again.
Blood
Treat stain immediately. Soak for 30 minutes or more in cold water. Rub detergent into stain. If stain persists, place a small amount of household ammonia on the stain and rub again with detergent. If safe for fabric, wash in hot water and chlorine bleach if traces of the stain persist.
Candle Wax
Rub with ice and scrape off excess wax. Place stain between paper towels and press with warm iron. Then place stain face down on paper towels and sponge with rubbing alcohol, if safe for fabric (refer to WARNING). Let dry, wash. If traces of colour remain, wash with commercial colour remover or, if safe for the fabric, hot water and chlorine bleach.
Cheese
Rinse with cold water. Soak with an enzyme soaking product. If the stain remains, apply a pretreat product. Wash as usual.
Chewing Gum
Rub with ice and scrape off excess gum. Place face down on paper towels and sponge with a pretreat product.
Chocolate or Cocoa
Rinse with cold water. Rub detergent into stain and soak in cold water.
If greasy stain remains, sponge face down on paper towels with a pretreat product. If traces of the stain remain, wash in hot water and chlorine bleach (if safe for fabric).
Coffee, Tea
Soak in cold water. Rub detergent into stain, rinse. If traces of the stain remain, use a pretreat product and wash in warm water, or wash in hot water with chlorine bleach (if safe for fabric).
Copier Toner
Shake off loose powder. Brush stain with toothbrush to remove remaining powder. Sponge stain with soapy water. If stain remains, apply a pretreat product and wash in hot water (if safe for fabric).
Crayon
Treat the same as candle wax or place face down on paper towel and spray with WD-4O*. Rinse. Wash in hot water (if safe for fabric) using soap (not a detergent) and 1-2 cups baking soda. If stains remain, professional drycleaning may be necessary.
Deodorants and Anti-Perspirants
Some of these products contain substances that can change the colour of some dyes. The colour can sometimes be restored if the area is sponged with ammonia then rinsed. To remove stains, apply white vinegar. Rub and rinse. If stains remain, rub detergent into stain and wash with hot water and chlorine bleach (if safe for fabric).
Dye
Treat with a commercial dye remover or, if safe for fabric, bleach with chlorine bleach.
Egg, Gravy
If dried, scrape off excess. Soak in cold water. Rub detergent into damp stain and, if safe for fabric, wash in hot water and chlorine bleach.
Eye and Face Make-up
Tap on the stain with a spoon to loosen it. Rub dampened stain with bar soap, dishwashing liquid or detergent. If stain remains, soak in water and detergent. Apply a pretreat product and wash as usual.
Fabric Softener
Dampen stain and rub with bar soap. Wash as usual.
Felt-Tip Marker
Rub detergent into damp stain. Apply a pretreat product. If safe for fabric, wash in hot water and chlorine bleach.
Fruit Juices
Soak in cold water. Wash in hot water with chlorine bleach (if safe for fabric).
Grass
Place face down on paper towel and sponge with rubbing alcohol (if safe for fabric). Rinse. Apply a pretreat product and wash. If stain remains, wash in hot water with chlorine bleach (if safe for fabric).
Grease, Oil
Place face down on paper towel and sponge with a pretreat product. Dampen stain with water and rub with bar soap or detergent. Wash in hot water (if safe for fabric).
Ink
and wash. Some inks may be impossible to remove.
Iodine
Jam, Jelly
Ketchup, Tomato Based Products
Lipstick
Lotion (Hand, Body, Sunscreen)
Mildew
Milk and Milk Products
Mud
Mustard
Nail Polish
Paint
Perspiration
Rust
Salad Dressing, Mayonnaise
Scorching
Shoe Polish
Soft Drinks
Soy Sauce
Tobacco
Urine
Vomit
Wine