Holi would be incomplete without the rainbow that marks our faces and clothes. But this is where it can get tricky- those stains can be incredibly difficult to remove!
Here are some handy tips and tricks to remove Holi stains from clothes.
Treating difficult stains
When you examine your garment, you may notice some stains are more prominent or deeper than others. Tackle these first by spot-treating them. One easy way to spot-treat uses an ingredient in your kitchen- vinegar!
Add 2 teaspoons of vinegar, 1 teaspoon of a mild detergent liquid like PureCult laundry liquid and 2 teaspoons of water in a bowl. Mix well and apply on the stains. Let it rest for 15-20 minutes, then wash. You can handwash to scrub the stains out or machine wash, which is generally more effective.
Treating white clothes
If your clothes are white then simply soak your garment in hot water mixed with non-chlorine bleach. Then, wash your garment using a safe liquid detergent like PureCult laundry liquid. The lavender essential oil helps soften and relax the fabric after its exposure to bleach. Wash and dry your garment separately away from direct sunlight, so the color does not leach into any other garments. Do not use chlorine bleach on coloured garments as it will discolor the fabric.
Lemons
Lemons are naturally acidic, making them a useful ingredient for removing color stains. Allow 15 minutes for the stained lemon juice to soak before scrubbing with your hands. If your garment has stains all over it, make a large batch of lemon juice, mix it with water in a bucket, and soak your garment in it. Let it rest for about 30 minutes to 1 hour and then wash as usual with a gentle detergent.
White Vinegar
Besides being useful for spot-treatment, vinegar can also be used to remove stains all over. Add half a cup of white vinegar and half a cup of liquid laundry detergent to a bucket of cold water. Mix well, and let your Holi-stained garments soak in it. The vinegar aids in helping pull color out from the clothes, so your clothes look good as new.
Holi stains are easy to treat, but they need to be treated with care. While it may initially be frustrating, it is important to remember that using harsh chemicals or rubbing the garment aggressively can cause the fabric to get discolored, lose its softness or its feel. Here are some additional tips to keep in mind:
- As soon as possible, wash soiled clothing. The longer the color remains, the more difficult it gets to remove them.
- The majority of stains-removal agents are unpleasant on the skin. To apply the chemicals, put on gloves and use a soft old toothbrush. Use a skin-safe, eco-friendly detergent liquid like PureCult laundry liquid to keep your skin and clothes happy.
- Never wash damaged and clean garments in the same machine, and never use two stain-removal chemicals at the same time.
- Some stains are difficult to remove and may require multiple attempts. Do not dry the garment because this will permanently set the stain.
- Do not dry your garments in direct sunlight.
- To remove all traces of the chemical used, wash the treated garment thoroughly.
- Bring non-washable fabrics to a dry cleaner as soon as possible and explain the stain.
Sometimes, no matter how hard you try, some stains may never completely leave a garment. In that case, remember- your garment is a souvenir of a day filled with fun, frolic and color. Cherish the garment as a memory of a happy day.