How to remove stains from clothes?
Looking to remove a stain from clothing without damaging it? Discover Sommières clay, an effective natural stain remover, and learn the mistakes to avoid at all costs so that stains don’t become permanent.
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Sommières clay: the natural solution for removing stains from clothing
What is Sommières clay?
Sommières clay is a fine clay powder used as a natural stain remover and degreaser. If you want to remove stains from clothing caused by grease, oil, or sauce, this is the ideal solution. This natural clay absorbs grease without damaging the fabric fibers.
This traditional method effectively removes stains from most fabrics, including cotton, linen, silk, wool, and even some synthetics.
The step-by-step method
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Step 1
First, remove excess grease or liquid from the stain with paper towels. Do not rub!
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Step 2
Sprinkle a generous amount of Sommières clay on the stain without rubbing. The clay will naturally embed itself in the fibers of your garment to absorb the stain.
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Step 3
Leave on for at least 2 to 3 hours. Clay needs time to thoroughly clean the garment.
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Step 4
Gently rub and dab your fabric to remove the powder.
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Step 5
Vacuum up the powder until it is completely removed: either using a small table vacuum cleaner or by shaking the garment outside.
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Step 6
Put your garment in the washing machine for a normal wash.
Important: for old stains, repeat the process, leaving the Sommières clay to work until it is completely absorbed before machine washing.
Is your garment delicate? Discover our delicate fabric cleaning service for professional treatment.
Mistakes to avoid at all costs
Salt on wine stains: a bad idea
The first thing that comes to mind when you spill wine on your clothes is to sprinkle salt on the stain. However, this may set the stain rather than remove it! Salt can react chemically with the tannins in wine and make the stain permanent.
To remove a wine stain from clothing, simply absorb the liquid with a paper towel and quickly take the garment to a professional.
Never rub with a tissue
Another well-known reflex is to rub a stained fabric with a tissue or paper towel. This technique will not remove the stain. On the contrary, the mechanical action on the rubbed area may cause bleaching or discoloration during washing.
Unfortunately, this damage is irreversible, even for a professional dry cleaner. Therefore, you should absolutely avoid rubbing to remove a stain from clothing.
Have your colors been altered? Find out how to preserve the colors of your laundry to avoid accidents.
What to do about a fresh stain?
The right immediate response
So the question is: what should we do in this case? Immediately, you should simply absorb the stain without rubbing. Gently dab with a clean paper towel to remove as much liquid as possible.
Then wait and take it to the dry cleaner as soon as possible, explaining the cause and how long the stain has been there. If you try to treat it yourself, you risk “baking” the stain in. Your dry cleaner may not be able to remove it afterwards.
Stains that require professional treatment
Some stains should never be treated at home. To remove a stain from clothing in these situations, take it to a dry cleaner immediately:
- Red wine stains
- Blood stains (especially old ones)
- Ink or pen stains
- Mechanical grease stains
- Stains on delicate fabrics (silk, cashmere, linen)
- Stains on light-colored or white clothing
This will maximize your chances of getting your garment back intact.
Need regular maintenance?
Commercial stain removers: caution, danger
A risk to your clothes
Warning: if a stain has been treated with a commercial stain remover, it will be more difficult to achieve effective results in the future. These chemicals can react with the fibers and permanently set certain stains.
In addition, commercial stain removers often contain bleaching agents that can discolor colored fabrics. To safely remove stains from clothing, always opt for natural solutions such as Sommières clay.
Natural alternatives
In addition to Sommières clay, there are other natural solutions for safely removing stains from clothing:
- White vinegar for limescale stains
- Baking soda for odors and light stains
- Marseille soap for fresh grease stains
- Lemon for fruit stains
However, always test these solutions on a hidden part of the garment before applying.
Prevention tips
Act quickly to remove stains from clothing
The faster you act, the easier it will be to remove a stain from clothing. A fresh stain is much easier to remove than an old, dry stain. Therefore, always treat stains as quickly as possible.
If you can’t treat the stain immediately, at least dab it to absorb the excess and prevent it from drying completely.
Read the care labels
Before attempting to remove a stain from clothing, always check the care label. Some fabrics cannot be washed with water, while others require dry cleaning only. Using the wrong method can cause irreparable damage to the fabric.
According to the French Textile and Clothing Institute (IFTH), 60% of damage to clothing during stain removal is due to the use of products or methods that are unsuitable for the type of fabric.
Need help decoding the symbols on a clothing label?
Entrust your tough stains to the experts at 5àsec
Do you have a stubborn stain or delicate garment that needs cleaning? Our 5àsec dry cleaners use professional techniques and products designed to remove stains without damaging your clothes.
Find a 5àsec dry cleaner near you to safely remove stains from your clothes.