SUMMER
SAY GOODBYE TO
STAINS Summer is a season for swimming pools, running through sprinklers, water balloon fights, tree climbing, gardening, grilling out, and al fresco dining. Sadly, that also makes it prime season for hard-to-treat clothing stains — such as ground-in dirt; grass; popsicles; ice cream; brightly-colored drinks; ketchup, mustard, and other condiments; and blood from the occasional scrape or cut.
S
o to help you enjoy some big summer fun without any stress, keep this simple summer-stain removal guide on hand. Here’s to a season of stain-free clothes, no matter how messy your adventures get!
First, a few universal rules for treating stains: – Test the solution somewhere inconspicuous, such as inside and near a seam, to ensure it will not damage or discolor the fabric. – Do the least possible needed to remove a stain. In fact, repeat gentler steps several times before moving to harsher methods that could discolor or damage fabrics. – Air dry between treatments, as some stains reappear only after a fabric dries completely. – Never mix stain-fighting solutions, especially chlorine bleach with ammonia, as this can generate poisonous fumes. – Do not heat/tumble dry a garment until you are sure a stain is gone completely, as this could “set” the stain forever. In rare cases, it can also cause oil-based stains to ignite. – When in doubt (or unsuccessful at removing a stain), check with a cleaning professional. Stain chemistry will dictate which basic removal solution to use, but the same four-step treatment method generally applies. 1. Promptly blot away as much of the stain as you can using paper towels or a clean white cloth. For dried stains, use a plastic tool or the back of a butter knife to scrape away as much as possible, starting at the edges and working inward; then, re-wet the stain with cold water. 18
CIRCA Magazine
BY TODD NELSON
2. Spritz, sponge, or dab your chosen solution onto the stain and blot away gently with a paper towel or clean white cloth. Continue this step, rotating your cloth, until no more of the stain is transferring. 3. Allow the stained area to dry completely, then repeat steps 1 and 2 several times before moving on to harsher or storebought stain-removal solutions, which carry higher risks of damaging fabrics (including causing summer whites to yellow irrevocably). 4. Once you are satisfied that the stain has been completely removed, either launder the garment as you normally would, or be sure to rinse away solution residues thoroughly and blot or allow to air dry.
The stage is set for unlimited possibilities! At Kiddie Academy® of Wake Forest, we encourage your child to step out, be bold and act on their natural curiosity. We believe that sense of discovery helps nurture a love for learning that reaches beyond our walls and lasts a lifetime. Schedule your visit to find out more.
Now pre-enrolling at Kiddie Academy of Wake Forest 945 Gateway Commons Circle Wake Forest, NC 27587 kiddieacademy.com/wake-forest (984) 251-1550
| July • August • September 2021
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