Wool is naturally stain-resistant, with its protective outer layer preventing stains from soaking deep within the fibres. This means that when disaster does strike, there’s no need to panic and start shopping for a suitable replacement. By acting fast, you can remove the stubbornest of stains and enjoy your woolly wonder once again.
Whether it’s a cosy knee blanket or one of your favourite wool cushions that has fallen victim to a spillage, keeping calm, carrying on and reading our wool stain removal guide below is the answer!
Red wine
Red wine is the stain type that fills most people with dread, particularly if this tipple has tarnished your favourite light grey throw.
The stain should be rinsed, and any remnants treated with a diluted mixture of wool friendly detergent and lukewarm water. If the stain remains, combine 3 parts rubbing alcohol with 1 part cold water and dab to remove. Rinse the garment well before washing as normal.
The same process can be used to remove fruit, fruit juice and other stains caused by alcoholic drinks.
Coffee
If it’s your daily brew that’s wreaking havoc with your wool, all you need is a few simple supplies to get your wool blanket or garment pristine and stain-free once again.
Unbeknown to most, white coffee, tea and hot chocolate stains can all be removed rather easily. Simply blot the stain’s edge with diluted detergent and a lint-free cloth. Soak up any excess liquid with kitchen roll or an absorbent cloth and leave to dry.
For stubborn white coffee and tea stains, dab with white spirit and soak up the excess liquid in the same way. Finish by washing as usual.
Black coffee requires different treatment, especially if it’s been allowed to dry, as Natural Beauty Uncovered details:
“If you’re unable to rinse the stain right away, and it has already dried, combine 1 cup of tepid water with ½ teaspoon of baking soda. Use a lint-free cloth and soak it in the solution for a moment. Then, use the soaked cloth to dab at the stain to release it from the wool. Follow-up with an absorbent cloth to pull the stain and solution out of the garment.”
Grease
Grease, butter and sauce stains are notoriously difficult to remove and leave behind distinctively dark, deeply ingrained marks on garments and accessories. As with any stain, acting fast is the key to successful removal.
Use a spoon or butter knife to remove any surface grease and oil. Press a tissue or paper towel over the stain and iron the area using a hot setting. This will bring excess oil and grease to the surface.
If the stain persists, apply white spirit with a lint-free cloth, gently dabbing the stain before allowing it to dry. You may need to repeat this process several times to completely remove the grease or sauce. Wash as normal once the stain has been removed.
Egg and milk
Egg and milk stains can be just as tenacious. This time add half a teaspoon of salt to one cup of lukewarm water and apply to the stain. Rinse away this solution and blot.
Soaking the stained area in diluted detergent for 15 minutes, rinsing thoroughly and neutralising with watered down white vinegar is another remedy for egg and milk stains.
Blood
Hang onto that white vinegar, but this time use it undiluted to remove blood stains from your wool garments and accessories. Rinse thoroughly with cold water and wash as normal to enjoy stain-free, beautiful wool.
Images: Olga52, MD_Photography, focal point / Shutterstock.com