Tips for removing stubborn stains from fabrics: Blood, sweat, vomit and urine

Welcome to the ultimate guide to stain removal, co-created with Pascale Allaert, Linen and Textile Care Expert - Meilleur Ouvrier de France Nettoyeur Apprêteur Teinturerie. In this article, we're going to cover a tricky, but unavoidable, topic: body fluid stains. Whether it's blood, sweat, vomit or urine, these spots can be embarrassing. It is important to get rid of them quickly and effectively. Follow our practical tips to restore your fabrics to their original beauty!

Along with chocolate and berries, blood is one of the most difficult stains to remove from our clothes and fabrics...and even more so if it is set. So, how do you remove a blood stain? Here's the right method:

1. Act quickly: Treat the blood stain as soon as possible. The faster you act, the higher the chances of success.
2. Use cold water: Rinse the blood stain under cold water to help remove some of the stain.
3. Dab the stain with a clean terry cloth and Marseille soap and water.
4. Rinse with cold water: Rinse the stain thoroughly with cold water.
5. Check before washing: Before washing the item normally, make sure the blood stain is gone. If it persists, repeat the steps above or try dabbing the stain with a little ammonia diluted 20% in cold water (1/5 ammonia to 4/5 water).

Sweat stains can be stubborn and annoying, especially on sportswear or white shirts. Here's how you can remove sweat stains effectively:

1. Treat the stain quickly: The faster you act, the easier it is to get rid of sweat stains.
2. Use Aleppo soap: Soak the sweat stain with soap, then rub gently to dislodge the stain.
3. Wash in cold water: Wash the item in cold water according to the garment's care instructions.
4. Avoid drying in the sun: Avoid drying sweat-stained clothes in the sun, as this can set the stain.

Vomit stains can also be embarrassing and smell bad. It is essential to treat them as quickly as possible to prevent them from becoming encrusted. Whether it's on the couch, a piece of clothing, in the car or even on a mattress, we're here to give you practical tips on how to effectively clean up from vomit:

1. Act quickly: Treat the vomit stain as soon as possible.
2. Remove residue: Remove as much of the vomit residue as possible using a spatula or the handle of a cutlery knife.
3. Apply a detergent solution: Mix a tablespoon of Aleppo soap with cold water.
4. Dab the stain: Apply the detergent solution to the vomit stain, working from the edges toward the centre.
5. Rinse with cold water: Rinse the stain thoroughly with cold water.
6. Check before washing: Before washing the item normally, make sure the vomit stain is gone. If it persists, repeat the steps above or try dabbing the stain with a little ammonia diluted in cold water (1 part ammonia to 4 parts water).

How do you remove urine stains? Pet owners: Cats and dogs often face this problem. Find out how to easily clean a pee stain from your textiles:

1. Act quickly: Treat the urine stain as soon as possible.
2. Use cold water: Rinse the urine stain under cold water to help remove some of the stain.
3. Prepare a detergent solution: Mix a tablespoon of Aleppo soap with cold water.
4. Dab the stain: Apply the detergent solution to the urine stain using a clean cloth.
5. Rinse with cold water: Rinse the stain thoroughly with cold water.

Check before washing: Before washing the item normally, make sure the urine stain is gone. If it persists, repeat the steps above or try dabbing the stain with a little ammonia diluted in cold water (dilution: 1 part ammonia + 4 times the same amount of cold water)

Pro tip: Remember to act quickly for best results and always test on a small hidden area of the fabric before applying a solution to the entire stain.

With these methods, you will be able to say goodbye to bodily fluid stains on your clothes and textiles. Acting quickly and using the right methods are the keys to successful results. Share these useful tips with your friends and family to help them to keep their clothes looking their best. And don't forget, regular, careful care extends the life of your favourite clothes. Arm yourself with this knowledge and say goodbye to stains by reading our ultimate guild on how to remove stains from clothes!