Bed sheet stains can be a source of frustration to anyone. Imagine purchasing a new bed sheet and seeing a stain before you’ve owned it for up to 2 weeks! That feeling of rage and disappointment shouldn’t be new to most people. Now you’re stuck with having to find a way to make the bed sheet clean again. Luckily for you, there are a handful of tips that you can follow.
1. Combat the stains as soon as they occur
It might be tempting to just leave a small stain until your next wash cycle, but the chances of that stain removing would have reduced a lot by then. That’s why it’s better to act as soon as possible – before the stain settles into the fabric. Begin by using cold water to rinse the affected part. This is because hot or warm water will ensure that the stain is set.
2. Baking soda
This might do the trick, but not all stains are the same. So if the stain is still there or you can still see traces of it, the time to use baking soda has come. Begin this process by mixing two part water and one part baking soda until it forms a thick paste. Put this mixture on the stained area (which should still be a bit wet) and allow it dry. The paste should be able to remove the stain by infusing it. When it is dry, brush off the mixture and put the bed sheet in the washer – allowing it to operate with a cold water setting. Hang your sheets on a line to dry when this cycle is done. You shouldn’t use the dryer as it could end up baking even the smallest of baking soda residue on the bed sheet, which will be very hard to get rid of.
3. Soak for set-in stains
Sometimes, you might not even realize that your bed sheet is stained until you’re about to wash it. In this case, since the stain is a set-in stain, it is preferable to soak the bed sheet for at least seven hours. This will subsequently make the stain easier to remove. If this still doesn’t work, you can consult a dry cleaner like croydondrycleaning.co.uk.
4. White vinegar for smaller stains
If you’re dealing with a small stain, you can soak the affected area in white vinegar for thirty minutes before putting the bed sheet in the washer for a cold wash. You should also hang dry it after. Also remember not to use the dryer. In case the stain doesn’t leave, repeat the process or wait until your next wash cycle. You’ll likely see gradual improvements in the bed sheet. White vinegar is also great at nullifying odors. To do this, add a quarter of white vinegar to the dispenser of the fabric softener. Noted, your sheets might have a vinegar smell at first (especially when they’re wet), but when they dry up, the vinegar smell would’ve left by then.
5. Avoid bleach when you can
Whenever it is possible to avoid using bleach, do so – even on white fabrics. This is because bleach has the tendency to weaken fabrics. This will mean that they will likely tear in the long run. However, if you have to use bleach, you can use oxygen bleach instead. This type is gentler than its chlorine counterpart.
