Recommendation for Removing Stains from White Towels

[Traci1]

We've really struggled with removing makeup and other stains from our white sheets and towels and (finally!) found something that works... Out White Brite. If anyone is experiencing the same issues, I highly recommend!

[Farah1]

@Traci1 will this work for stains on other color fabric?

[Traci1]

No, just whites. It actually may discolor other colors...

[Branka-and-Silvia0]

@Traci1 unfortunatelly we can not buy it here... but would you be so kind and write down all the ingredients? Maybe there is something similar

[Huma0]

Anyone got any ideas for removing stains from coloured fabrics? I don't have a problem keeping the whites white, but I've had numerous coloured towels and some bedding ruined by guests getting weird stains on them and the usual stain removing products don't shift it even after several washes.

Some of the stains are make up, but others are black and stubborn (were they using the towels to clean their shoes?) or something greasy on the sheets, and won't shift.

[Jann3]

@Huma0, I find Clorox Color-safe bleach works WONDERS! I wonder if you have it locally there. My sister (in Southend-on-sea) says she gets it from Amazon.co.uk... An alternate is vinegar... Learn more here: http://home.howstuffworks.com/home-improvement/household-hints-tips/cleaning-organizing/uses-for-vin...  It really is my go-to laundry-stain remover! Hope it helps!

[Huma0]

@Jann3 I haven't seen that product here, but yes, Amazon seems to sell most things so I will take a look. We have something similar sounding called Ace, but I haven't found it particularly effective. I didn't realise vinegar was safe on coloured fabrics, but will give it a go!

[Jann3]

@Huma0 Vinegar is great also PRIOR to use on colored towels, sheets, clothing. It sets the color in the cloth so you can wash - for instance - yellow and red together without bleeding colors into each other. Simply mix 1 cup vinegar w/1 or 2 gallons cold water in a bucket or sink. Put the SAME COLORED FABRICS in that water. Soak an hour. The color is set. The important part is to "set" each color separately the first time. Then you can wash them together w/o bleeding from then on... 

It's a great product, vinegar!

ps: if a blouse (for instance) is multicolored, it will still set each color in the place the manufacturer applied it too! I just separately "set" towels or sheets of different colors (ie: a blue towel and a black towel) as it is safer to me... The big one? Black blouses, shirts, STAY BLACK after color set.. they don't go "grey."

[Michelle527]

Hi Jann,

Thanks. Great idea and very clear instructions! I am new to hosting and have wondered what to do about stained laundry, especially sheets and towels.  I am going to set my fabrics as soon as my first guests leave on Wednesday! Thanks again for sharing. Michelle

[Huma0]

Thanks @Jann3 I never heard of this but will give it a go next time I buy new towels.

I was doing some household shopping yesterday and by coincidence, came across a product called Stardrops White Vinegar Spray. It says it is good for cleaning windows and mirrors, work surfaces, baths and tiles and removing laundry stains. I don't know what else is in it and perhaps it is a waste of money compared to making your own vinegar mix, but it is perfumed and perhaps will help to avoid leaving that vinegar scent. Anyway, it was inexpensive and has apparently been around fsince 1946 so I thought it was worth a go! I will report back...

[Lisa671]

What I do for makeup is to provide dark wash clothes and little notes asking them to use the dark clothes for makeup removal, with a funny little quote saying it is from the "laundry department "  🙂    I have had great luck with that.  Those guests with makeup are using those clothes and not staining my white towels or wash clothes.  It works for me.

[Susie5]

@Traci1, thanks for this tip! I have a small and growing pile of unusable but still nice and fluffy white towels which have makeup stains on them.  I'll find this product and use it!  I'm in JP - are you near there?

[Traci1]

Hi Susie! We live in Fort Point (in the Seaport) but our Airbnb is in Maine.

[Michelle527]

Hi Susie, my husband and I moved from West Roxbury to Tamworth, NH 1 1/2 years ago. Lived in Boston all our lives (Dot, Hyde Park, WROX). We go back and forth since friends and family still there. I miss it so much some times. JP is awesome!! Love the Pond and Centre St. shops and restaraunts. I really miss Sugar's cupcakes:) Have a dear friend on Burroughs St. Stay cool my city sista!

[Jann3]

@Susie5 I just take a few of my stained towels to the Holiday Inn Express when I travel. Change them out w/the beautiful white ones THEY give you in the room that are clean. The only problem is the "holiday inn" tag on them instead of "Royal Velvet!" Their housekeeping never knows the difference! 😂

PS: I AM KIDDING! I don't do this! Don't flame me! <grin>