There’s nothing worse than finding a stain on your favourite item of clothing and feeling like you can’t wear it anymore! We want to help make sure your favourite Joanie pieces last as long as possible, so we’ve put together this guide to treating stains.
Top tips:
Act quickly - the sooner you tackle the stain, the easier it will be to remove!
Dab, don't scrub.
Check the label - dry clean only really means dry clean only!
Always use cold water unless the label states otherwise - hot water can cause the stain to set, as can heat from a tumble dryer.
If you’re removing a stain from a delicate fabric, do a spot test on a small area first before treating the whole garment.
Oil Stains
Blot with a kitchen towel, then sprinkle the area liberally with baby powder, talc, cornstarch, or baking soda to draw the stain out, then wash as normal. If that doesn’t work, try ironing over the stain with a piece of brown paper - the heat and steam should suck the oil stain out and transfer it onto the paper. As a last resort, use a couple of drops of Eucalyptus oil - this is a good option for thick, lasting stains!
Coffee Stains
Drench the stain with cold soda water, and use a little bit of clear dish soap if the stain is stubborn - choose an eco-friendly brand for a kinder clean!
Red Wine Stains
Apply lots of table salt to the stain and resist the temptation to wet it! Wait for the salt to draw out the red wine, then brush off the burgundy grains and soak the item in cold water before washing as normal. Don’t leave the salt on overnight, as this could bleach the fabric.
Makeup Stains
Use an oil-free makeup remover to gently blot foundation stains out, or use a combination of 1 part dish soap and 4 parts warm water to remove mascara stains. Avoid scrubbing - this can make the stain spread which will make it harder to remove! If you’re trying to remove oil-free foundation, gently rub the stain with laundry detergent and let it sit for 20 minutes. For oil-based foundation, use dish soap instead - this will help break down the oil!
Fake Tan Stains
Flush the stain with cold water from the opposite side of the fabric, then dab the stain with a blend of dish soap and warm water using a sponge until it’s lifted. Wash the garment as normal and repeat if needed, but be careful not to dry the garment until the stain is completely gone - heat will set the stain forever.
Ketchup
Apply a little bit of dish soap to the stain to break down the oil in the ketchup and gently rub it in using an ice cube to get the majority of the stain out. Then, dab the area with some white vinegar on a cloth, and launder as normal.
Grass Stains
If possible, keep the stain wet until it can be properly treated. Soak the affected area in water for 30 minutes, then turn it inside out and apply a paste made from baking soda and white vinegar. Leave it on for 30 minutes, then rinse in cold water and repeat until the stain is gone!
Paint Stains
Try and treat the stain before it dries! Scrape off any excess paint with a spoon, then flush the stain from the back with warm water. If it’s a water-based paint (e.g. an emulsion), dab the stain with a blend of washing up liquid and warm water until it has lifted, then rinse and launder as normal. For oil-based paints (e.g. gloss paints), use paint thinners and a clean cloth instead of washing up liquid to dab the stain away, then launder as normal.
Blood Stains
Run cold water through the back of the fabric, then gently rub the stain with soap and rinse it with cold water. For stubborn stains, soak the item in a solution of 1 part vinegar and 2 parts water for 10-20 minutes, and repeat as needed. Remember: always use cold water when treating blood stains - hot water can cause the stain to set!
Did you know?
Lemon juice acts as a natural bleach, so should only be used on white fabrics. For particularly tough stains, make a paste using equal parts lemon juice, baking soda, and water. Lightly rub the paste on the stain, leave for 30 minutes and launder as normal.
