Ticket stub stained my shirt!
October 27, 2010 10:30 PM Subscribe
I left half of a ticket stub, much like this one, in the shirt pocket of my seersucker button up and put it in the wash, then dried it without noticing. It left an orange stain about the size of a half dollar coin, what can I do to try and make sure it will come out next time I wash it?
I did exactly the same thing earlier this week, but with a pink ticket. My attempts at washing at home failed, and I dropped it off at the cleaners. Will let you know the result.
posted by stachemaster at 11:47 PM on October 27, 2010
posted by stachemaster at 11:47 PM on October 27, 2010
Did you air dry it or machine-dry it?
If machine dried, then I agree with zachlipton and stachemaster - a dry cleaner is your last hope.
If air dried, you may be able to soak the stain in laundry detergent concentrate, let it sit for as long as you can stand, scrub with a toothbrush or damp towel, rinse and repeat as until either the stain is lifted or you give up. Depending on the color of the shirt, you can also try dilute bleach. I've also had some luck with using oxy-based and citric acid-based cleaners to lift air-dried stains.
posted by muddgirl at 5:28 AM on October 28, 2010
If machine dried, then I agree with zachlipton and stachemaster - a dry cleaner is your last hope.
If air dried, you may be able to soak the stain in laundry detergent concentrate, let it sit for as long as you can stand, scrub with a toothbrush or damp towel, rinse and repeat as until either the stain is lifted or you give up. Depending on the color of the shirt, you can also try dilute bleach. I've also had some luck with using oxy-based and citric acid-based cleaners to lift air-dried stains.
posted by muddgirl at 5:28 AM on October 28, 2010
If you don't go the dry cleaning route, here's what I'd do.
First, wet it with cold water and wash the spot with dishsoap. A gentle scrubbing with a brush, too. I usually do this in the sink, and my little hand sprayer is great for really blasting a stain. This will probably not get the stain out, but it's a good preparation.
Then I'd use a commercial stain remover--I use the shout gel with the scrub brush lid. You can leave this on for up to a week before putting it in the washer. I'd let it sit at least a couple of days, then wash it in cold water. If the stain is still there, apply more stain treatment and let it air dry, and throw it in with your next cold load. It may take several repetitions but this method has gotten rid of every stain I've found, other than paint.
posted by lemniskate at 5:35 AM on October 28, 2010
First, wet it with cold water and wash the spot with dishsoap. A gentle scrubbing with a brush, too. I usually do this in the sink, and my little hand sprayer is great for really blasting a stain. This will probably not get the stain out, but it's a good preparation.
Then I'd use a commercial stain remover--I use the shout gel with the scrub brush lid. You can leave this on for up to a week before putting it in the washer. I'd let it sit at least a couple of days, then wash it in cold water. If the stain is still there, apply more stain treatment and let it air dry, and throw it in with your next cold load. It may take several repetitions but this method has gotten rid of every stain I've found, other than paint.
posted by lemniskate at 5:35 AM on October 28, 2010
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posted by zachlipton at 10:43 PM on October 27, 2010