Chocolate, gravy, coffee and mud are all absolutely great (although, perhaps not all together). The other unfortunate thing they have in common is that they are all brown - and a nightmare to get out of clothing. Whether hot-chocolate on a dress, coffee down a shirt, or the mud that seems to leap off the ground to cover school uniforms, we've composed a quick guide all about how to remove these tricky stains from clothing that seem to turn brown more regularly than the leaves.
All the Leaves Are Brown…: A Guide to Autumnal Stains
There is a whole range of possible culprits, but for demonstration purposes, we'll discuss 3 of the most common: coffee stains, chocolate stains and mud stains.
Cleaning Process
When dealing with a stain left by something brown, often the sooner you deal with it, the easier it is to remove. If the stain is water-based (such as coffee, most other hot-drinks, and mud), and non-greasy, it's best to rinse it with cold water to prevent it setting further into the cloth. When the area is damp enough, you can begin tackling the stain itself. There are different procedures to follow depending on the colour of the material:
For whites, the process is normally the same for all three stains, since you can often get away with using a stronger stain removing agent. To start with, remove any solid excess with a spoon - being careful not to rub the residue in further into the material. Apply a stain remover containing Hydrogen Peroxide such as Vanish Gold Oxi Action. Massage into the affected region and leave to soak in for five minutes. When the time is up, wash the clothing immediately on a regular wash, with a scoop of Vanish, to remove all of the stain.
For water-based brown stains (e.g. coffee stains) on coloured clothes, start by running cold water through the back of the stain. It is important to wash through the back of the stain since it doesn't force the colours through the material, preventing its spread. If the stain is very fresh that may be all that is needed. If the stain still persists, blot at it with a stain remover designed specifically for colours - such as Vanish Gold Oxi Action. Gently rub the Vanish into the stain without smearing it further, but if the stain is particularly old you may need to let it soak. Launder the clothing afterwards on a regular wash, adding another scoop of Vanish to the cycle.
For fat-based and greasy stains, such as chocolate, it's best to start by scraping off as much as you can with a spoon, all the time being careful not to rub the stain further into the fabric. When the excess is gone, mix a solution of one part liquid detergent with two parts cold water. Dab the solution into the stain, then gently blot at it with a dry cloth, absorbing the liquid. Once the majority of the stain has been removed, then start to blot at it with the Vanish Gold Oxi Action Gently rub it in before putting on a regular wash, with the essential scoop of Vanish.
And there you have it! A simple guide to addressing any accidents arising from that hot chocolate, gingerbread spiced latte or the mud-glorious-mud. So go out into the beautiful autumn, have fun, and let Vanish clean away your stains.