How to Remove Set In Stains from Clothes Without Damaging the Fabric
How to Remove Set In Stains from Clothes Without Damaging the Fabric
You have set in stains on your clothes. These are stains that have been through the dryer and seem permanent. But set in stains can still be removed from most washable fabrics. It takes more effort and the right products, but it’s possible. Here’s how to remove set in stains from clothes without damage.
Set in stains are stains that have been bonded to fabric fibers and set by dryer heat. Set in stains are harder to remove than fresh stains because the heat has bonded the stain to the fibers. Removing set in stains requires stronger products (oxygen bleach, OxiClean, hydrogen peroxide) and longer soaking times.
To remove set in stains from clothes, identify the stain type, soak in the appropriate solution for 1 to 2 hours, apply the right stain remover, wash with enzyme detergent in the hottest water safe for the fabric, and check before drying. Don’t give up after one treatment, don’t use hot water on protein stains, and don’t put set-in-stained clothes in the dryer until the stain is gone.
Step-by-Step: Removing Set In Stains
Step 1: Identify the Stain Type
Different stains need different treatments:
- Oil: Dish soap + hot water
- Blood: Cold water + hydrogen peroxide
- Food: OxiClean + warm water
- Ink: Rubbing alcohol + Amodex
- Coffee: Oxygen bleach + warm water
- Mould: Vinegar + oxygen bleach + hot water
Step 2: Soak
Fill a tub with water (cold for protein, warm for most others) and add the appropriate booster:
- For oil stains: Add 2 tablespoons of Dawn Ultra Dish Soap
- For protein stains: Add 2 tablespoons of Tide Free and Gentle
- For tannin stains: Add 2 scoops of oxygen bleach
- For mould: Add 1 cup of white vinegar
Soak for 1 to 2 hours.
Step 3: Apply Stain Remover
After soaking, apply the right stain remover:
- For oil: Shout Advanced Grease Busting Foam
- For food: OxiClean Max Force Spray
- For ink: Amodex Ink and Stain Remover
- For blood: 3% hydrogen peroxide
Let it sit for 15 to 30 minutes.
Step 4: Apply Baking Soda Paste (For Stubborn Stains)
Mix Arm and Hammer Baking Soda with water to form a paste. Apply to the stain, let it sit for 30 minutes, scrub with an old toothbrush, and rinse.
Step 5: Wash
Wash with Tide Free and Gentle in the appropriate water temperature. Add baking soda and oxygen bleach for extra cleaning.
Step 6: Check Before Drying
Check the stain before putting the clothes in the dryer. If the stain remains, treat again and re-wash. Don’t put set-in-stained clothes in the dryer.
Step 7: Repeat If Needed
Set in stains may need 2 to 3 treatments to fully remove. Don’t give up after one treatment.
Set In Stains by Type
| Stain Type | Best Treatment | Water Temp | Soak Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oil | Dish soap + Shout foam | Hot | 1 to 2 hours |
| Blood | Hydrogen peroxide + enzyme detergent | Cold | 1 to 2 hours |
| Coffee | Oxygen bleach + OxiClean | Warm | 1 to 2 hours |
| Food | OxiClean + baking soda paste | Warm | 1 to 2 hours |
| Ink | Rubbing alcohol + Amodex | Warm | 30 minutes |
| Mould | Vinegar + oxygen bleach | Hot | 1 to 2 hours |
| Grease | Dish soap + Shout foam | Hot | 1 to 2 hours |
| Deodorant | Baking soda paste + vinegar | Warm | 1 hour |
What Not to Do
Don’t use hot water on protein stains. Hot water sets blood, sweat, and dairy stains permanently. Use cold water for protein stains.
Don’t put set-in-stained clothes in the dryer. Dryer heat sets stains further. Always air dry and check first.
Don’t rub the stain. Rubbing spreads the stain and damages fibers. Press gently or scrub with a soft toothbrush.
Don’t use chlorine bleach on colors. Chlorine bleach strips color. Use oxygen bleach instead.
Don’t give up after one treatment. Set in stains may need 2 to 3 treatments to fully remove.
Don’t use fabric softener. It coats fibers and traps the stain.
FAQ
How do you remove set in stains from clothes? Identify the stain type, soak in the appropriate solution for 1 to 2 hours, apply the right stain remover, wash with Tide Free and Gentle in the appropriate water temperature, and check before drying. Repeat if needed. Set in stains may need 2 to 3 treatments.
Can you remove stains that have been through the dryer? Yes. Soak in the appropriate solution for 1 to 2 hours, apply a stain remover, and wash with enzyme detergent. For stubborn stains, use oxygen bleach (for whites) or OxiClean (for colors). You may need 2 to 3 treatments.
Does oxygen bleach remove set in stains? Yes, for white clothes. Make a paste of oxygen bleach powder and water, apply to the stain, let it sit for 30 minutes, and wash with enzyme detergent in hot water. For colored clothes, use OxiClean instead.
Does OxiClean remove set in stains? Yes. OxiClean Max Force Spray contains enzymes that break down organic matter. Spray it on the stain, let it sit for 15 minutes, and wash with enzyme detergent. For set in stains, soak first, then spray.
Can you put set-in-stained clothes in the dryer? Don’t put set-in-stained clothes in the dryer until the stain is completely gone. Dryer heat sets stains further. Always air dry and check first.
References
- Tide. “How to Remove Set In Stains from Clothes.” tide.com.
- The Spruce. “Set In Stain Removal Guide.” thespruce.com.
- Good Housekeeping. “Stain Removal Guide.” goodhousekeeping.com.
- OxiClean. “Stain Solutions Guide.” oxiclean.com.
