Spilling the tea on your clothes is a common accident, and the stain can be a pesky task to remove. Whether you’re trying to hurriedly drink your morning cup of tea/coffee or carrying one from your kitchen or office pantry to your seat, you could end up with stains on your clothes. We give you a few cleaning tips to make sure your clothes are stain-free.
Why Is It Important to Clean Tea Stains Sooner?
As soon as you spot tea stains on your clothes, you must blot the excess liquid using some paper towels so the stain doesn’t get deposited on the fabric. Please note that you should not rub the stain as it will only spread it further. Employ one of the cleaning methods given here based on the material of your clothing item. Read the washing instructions on the wash care label of your garment before you start treating the stain. If the label says, dry clean only, it is best to drop off your stained garment at the dry cleaner’s. Inform the dry cleaner about the stain and confirm if the stain can be treated.
Here’s how you can remove tea stains from your washable garments.
Ingredients to Keep Handy:
a) Vinegar
b) Baking soda
c) Liquid detergent
d) Spray bottle
e) A bucket full of warm water
f) Soft-bristled toothbrush
g) Clothes brush
Advertisement
Method 1: For Delicate Materials Like Silk, Wool and Lace
Step 1: Make a Cleaning Solution
Mix 1 tsp. of vinegar in a cup of water and pour the solution in a spray bottle.
Step 2: Apply the Solution
Spray the solution on the stain. Next, gently blot the garment, and you should see the tea or coffee stain begin to lift.
Step 3: Use Water and Detergent
Fill a bucket with warm water and mix 1 tbsp. of mild detergent. Delicate garments made from silk, wool and cotton require extra care and using a mild detergent can work wonders. We recommend Love and Care, which is available in the market.
Step 4: Soak Your Garment
Put the stained garment in this solution and let it soak for about 10 minutes. Prolonged exposure of silk to water can ruin its finishing.
Step 5: Scrub Your Garment
Grab a soft-bristled toothbrush and scrub the stained area of your garment in the soapy solution gently.
Step 6: Rinse Your Garment
Finally, take your garment out of the bucket and rinse with water. The stains should come off along with the soapy solution.
Step 7: Air Dry
Roll your silk garment in a soft towel and press gently to remove excess water. Place the garment on a flat surface in a well-ventilated room and let it air dry.
Method 2: For Cotton, Polyester and Chiffon Fabrics
Step 1: Wet the Area
Wet the tea or coffee-stained area of your garment with warm water.
Step 2: Add Baking Soda
Put 1 tsp. of baking soda on the stain and rub it into the fabric.
Step 3: Let it Rest
Allow the baking soda to work on the stain for 10-15 minutes.
Step 4: Soak Your Clothing
Next, fill a bucket with warm water and mix 1 tbsp. of laundry detergent. You can try Surf Excel Matic Liquid as it leaves no residue (like powders do) as being a liquid it dissolves completely in water. Check the instructions on the pack to know how to use the detergent correctly. Put the stained garment in this solution and let it soak for 10 minutes.
Step 5: Scrub Your Clothing
Take a clothes brush and scrub the stained area of your garment in the soapy solution.
Step 6: Rinse Your Clothing
Finally, take your garment out of the bucket and rinse with water.
Step 7: Let the Garment Dry
Wring the garment gently to remove excess moisture. Hang it to dry on the clothesline in a shaded place, away from direct sunlight. Exposure to sunlight can cause discolouration of your clothes.
If you love tea, you must have to deal with tea stains on your clothes frequently. Knowing how to remove tea stains from your clothes is mandatory for a tea lover. These simple and effective washing techniques can help you get rid of tea stains from your clothes effortlessly.
Key Step
Do not run the dryer on stained garment. Do not put your garment in the dryer if the stain hasn’t completely disappeared. The heat can set the stain more firmly in your garment.
Originally published