Preserve your favorite garments by avoiding these common stain-removal slip-ups with the help of a laundry expert.
To help prepare you for unavoidable, we turned to the experts.
Letting Stains Sit
One of the most crucial errors you might make is waiting totreat stains.
Credit:BHG / Alicia Long
Essentially, time is of the essence when it comes toremoving stainsso dont wait to act.
However, youre missing a potentially crucial step in the stain removal process.
Using Too Much Detergent
Yet another common faux pas Saladyga sees frequently isoverdoing the laundry detergent.
It turns out that going in heavy with detergent can also have an adverse effect onfabric stains.
But, experts advise againstmaking your detergentdue to the risks of health issues and appliance damage.
This is an area, however, that can confuse even the most attentive among us.
Most articles of clothing and linens list their materials and care instructions on their tags.
But, if you remove them and forget, you could be out of luck.
Reaching for the Bleach
Its fairly common knowledge that bleach should never be used on colored fabrics.
However, you should proceed with caution when dealing with stains on stark white items.
Thats because depending on their material or care instructions,some arent safe to bleach.
Rather, stick to an oxygen-based bleach or optical brightening solution.
Some home remedies, likerubbing alcoholorbleach, may damage different types of fabrics.
Others, like too muchvinegar, maydamage plastic and rubber partsin your washing machine over time, she says.
This is further proof that you should stick with a reliable detergent and always use the correct amount.
