Don’t you wish you that you could buy your little ones new clothes after every outdoor play? The dirt and mud that sticks to them can be a nightmare when laundry time comes. Well, buying a new set of clothes every time kids dirty their old ones is something that we can only dream about, so you need to come up with something practical. Dirt, especially the muddy and wet kind, leaves stubborn stains behind. Even with your best efforts, they can be a challenge to clean. However, the good news is that it is not impossible to get rid of such stains. All you need to do is follow a few tips.
Removing Dirt and Mud Stains
Here are the steps you need to take to help you remove dirt and mud stains, even the most stubborn ones, easily and effectively:
- Step 1: The first thing that you need to do is read the washing instructions on the garment’s label to find out if it can be washed or whether you need to get it dry-cleaned. If it can be washed, remember that you should clean it in cold water, regardless of the recommended temperature. Dirt and mud-encrusted clothes are best washed in cold water as the stains will set if washed in hot water.
- Step 2: If the dirt and mud is wet, make sure that the garment dries completely before you wash it. Washing it while the dirt is wet will only spread the stain to other parts and you will have a ruined piece of clothing in your hands.
- Step 3: Once the dirt-encrusted garment has dried completely, take it outside and shake vigorously to make sure that all loose dirt is removed. The caked-on mud can be effectively removed with a plastic knife or your fingers. If the fabric is denim, you can brush away the dried dirt with a stiff brush.
- Step 4: When the caked-on dirt and mud has been properly removed, place the item on a flat surface and apply or spray a stain remover. This pre-wash treatment will help you loosen the dirt from the fabric and make it easier for you to wash the garment.
- Step 5: If there is a soak cycle in your washing machine, soak the garment. This will help the stain remover in working deep into it. Soak it for about an hour to make sure that the stain gets removed properly.
- Step 6: After soaking the garment, remove it from the washing machine and check to see if the stain is still there. If it is, repeat the process of applying the stain remover and let it soak again.
Lastly, check again to see if the dirt and mud has been properly removed from the garment. If you are satisfied, wash it in a regular wash cycle and make sure that you use cold water. After it has been washed, check the garment for any stains. If it is stain-free, you can go ahead and hang it out to dry. If you are unable to remove the stains, take it to the dry cleaners so that they can use a more effective solution to remove the stains.
Most stains are removable. All it takes is a little time and effort. You also need a good stain removal solution, which you will not have any trouble finding as there are plenty of great products available on the market. Remember that it is always best to treat dry dirt stains as quickly as possible. With wet dirt and mud, always wait for it to dry first.
Another important point to remember is to always read the washing instructions given by the manufacturers. This will ensure that you do not damage the garment while trying to remove stains. With these points in mind, you can effectively remove almost any stain from clothes right at home.