Introduction
Mustard from that corn dog. Your dripping morning coffee. Toothpaste. Stains happen! Many people believe that once a garment has a spot on it, it's time for the wash—but this isn't always true. By spot-washing and re-wearing your garments, you create less wear-and-tear on your clothes and the environment.
This guide will walk you through the process of washing a spot out of a garment. Have a tricky stain? Check out our Stain Removal page for the proper cleaning agent.
What you need
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Examine the stain. Determine what cleaning agent you'll need using our Stain Removal page. For general dirt, use a gentle, low-chemical liquid laundry soap.
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Hold the garment over the sink and rub a small amount of your cleaning agent into the stain with your finger.
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Using a toothbrush, gently work the cleaning agent into the stain.
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Use an up-and-down motion with the brush—tapping the stain with the bristles—as opposed to a back-and-forth motion which can damage the fibers of the garment.
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Work the stain out of the garment. If the stain isn't releasing, check out the Stain Removal page for help on your particular stain.
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Lay a towel out on a waterproof surface.
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With the wet area facing up, place your garment on the towel and allow it to dry.
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