Techniques of stain removal
Stains are grouped as vegetable, animal, grease, mineral, and miscellaneous stains.
Two main stain-removal techniques: Sponging (treat from the wrong side using a blotter) and Dipping (soak the fabric in a cleaning solution).
Vegetable stains (tea, coffee): removed using alkaline reagents like borax.
Animal stains (blood, milk, egg): avoid heat; use cold water or mild ammonia.
Grease stains (oil, butter, paint): use absorbents such as talcum/chalk and solvents like kerosene or turpentine.
Mineral stains (rust): treat with mild acids like lemon juice or oxalic acid, followed by neutralisation with borax.
Miscellaneous stains (ink, grass, dye): require specific methods such as soap, spirit, lime juice, or buttermilk.
Correct method selection helps avoid fabric damage and improves stain removal.