Linen and cotton fabrics are prized for their softness, their durability and their comfort. They are not, however, immune to stubborn stains. Whether it is red wine, coffee, grass or grease, there are effective natural methods for removing them without damaging your favourite textiles.
Here are a few reliable tips for taking stains out of linen and cotton.
Pre-treating stains
- Using cold water
- Before applying any stain remover, start by rinsing the stain in cold water. That dilutes it and takes part of it away.
- Avoid hot water, as it can set certain stains, particularly protein-based ones such as blood.
- Marseille soap: Marseille soap is a valuable ally for removing stains from linen and cotton. Dampen
the stain lightly, rub gently with the soap and leave it to work for a few minutes before rinsing.
Tips for specific stains
Red wine:
For a red wine stain, quickly apply salt to the affected area to absorb the excess liquid. Then rinse in cold water and dab with a mixture of white vinegar and water. Wash as usual afterwards.
Coffee:
Coffee stains, on napkins in particular, can be removed by dabbing with a solution of white vinegar and lukewarm water. If the stain persists, apply a little glycerine to the area before washing.
Grease:
For grease stains, sprinkle talc or flour on straight away to absorb the oil. After a few minutes, brush off the excess and apply liquid detergent directly to the stain before washing.
Grass:
For grass stains, use a mixture of bicarbonate of soda and water to make a paste. Apply this paste to the stain, leave it to work for 15 minutes, then rinse and wash.
Natural and eco-friendly products
Bicarbonate of soda is an excellent natural stain remover. As well as working on grass stains, it can be used to neutralise odours and brighten fabrics. Mix it with water to form a paste and apply it to the stain before washing.
White vinegar is a powerful cleaning and deodorising agent. It is particularly useful on coffee, tea and perspiration stains. Mix one part vinegar with two parts water and apply to the stain before washing.
General advice
- Do not rub
- Avoid rubbing stains vigorously, as this can damage the fibres of the fabric and make things worse: dab gently with a clean cloth.
- Test on a hidden area: before using a stain remover, always test it on a small hidden area of the fabric to make sure it does not damage the colour or the texture.
- Wash straight away: for the best results, treat stains as soon as you can. The longer a stain stays on the
fabric, the harder it will be to remove.
Taking stains out of linen and cotton can look complicated, but with the right tips and a little patience
you can bring your fabrics back clean and bright. By using natural products such as
Marseille soap, white vinegar and bicarbonate of soda, you can not only remove
stains effectively but also preserve the integrity of your favourite textiles. Remember to act
quickly and to test products on a small area before applying them to the whole stain. With
this advice, stubborn stains will no longer be a worry!
