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how to remove stains wool

How to Remove Red Wine from Wool

December 17, 2019 Tags: , , , , No Comments

As the festive season gets into full swing, the chances of a red wine spill increase. We’ve all seen it (or done it!) – the casual gesture that unexpectedly sloshes wine out of the glass; or the over-enthusiastic turn on the dance floor that ends up knocking someone’s drink over. Whether you’ve got friends round for mulled wine and mince pies, or you’re curling up in front of a Christmassy film with a glass of red and your favourite cozy wool throw, this is peak stain time. But fear not, we’ve got all you need to know about how to remove red wine from wool.

Thanks to its natural dirt and odour-repelling properties, wool is pretty easy to care for and doesn’t attract marks like other fabrics. But despite this, accidents can still happen. It’s best to wash your wool throws and blankets as infrequently as possible – you can refresh them by airing outdoors, brushing gently and if necessary washing. Always use a gentle cycle or wash by hand in cool water, and use an appropriate wool detergent. For spot cleaning stains you’ll need some extra tools in your cleaning kit, so read on to find out more.

This advice applies to wool blankets and throws, as well as wool carpets and rugs. It’s important to remember that you should always refer to the individual item’s care instructions, and spot test any stain removal method on an invisible area to check for color changes.

removing red wine from wool

How to remove wine from a wool blanket or carpet

Method 1: Surgical spirit

  • Blot the stain with a lint-free, absorbent cloth
  • Combine 3 parts surgical spirit with 1 part water. Dab onto the stain as soon as possible after the spill has occurred
  • Cover with an absorbent pad soaked with the mixture and leave to work. Replace as needed until the stain has disappeared
  • Rinse with cool water and air dry

Method 2: Salt

  • Blot the stain and sprinkle with salt to cover the whole marked area
  • Once the salt has absorbed all the liquid, vacuum the area to remove residue. This should lift the stain

Method 3: Vinegar

  • Combine 1 tbsp white vinegar with 1 tbsp washing up liquid and 2 cups of water
  • Pour over stain
  • Blot with liquid detergent
  • Rinse area with cool water, or wash throw as per care label

Method 4: Baking soda

  • Pour water or white wine over the stain and then blot up
  • Mix baking soda with water to create a spreadable paste
  • Cover the stain with a thick layer of paste, then place a clean tea towel over. Press with a book on top and leave overnight
  • Scrape up the residue and vacuum the area

Wet Cleaning

how to remove wine from wool

If these solutions still don’t work and you need professional help to remove a wine stain from wool, try to find a local wet cleaner. Wet cleaning works without using the harsh, toxic chemicals used in dry cleaning. This means it’s far healthier for the person doing the cleaning, as well kinder to the planet and your wool garment.

The wet clean process starts with spot cleaning a stain. The garment is then washed in a specially designed machine, with the right environmentally-friendly detergent. Finally, it’s dried in a gentle dryer or line, steam shaped and hand finished.

For more on how to wash wool and how to care for your wool throws go here and here.

We hope you have a very happy, spill-free Christmas holiday and a wonderful New Year!

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How to Remove Stains From Wool

January 30, 2018 Tags: , , No Comments

Have you spilt something on a beloved wool garment? Need some help removing the stain from wool? We know how precious woollen clothes and throws are – they are investment pieces, designed to keep you warm and comfortable for many years. But they also require careful attention when cleaning in order to retain their shape and colour. So there’s nothing worse than discovering a nasty stain or mark on them, whether it’s a coffee spill on a wool throw or grease spots on a wool sweater.

Stain removal from wool items can be trickier than from other fabrics because stains set in quicker. You need to treat a stain as soon as you can and avoid heat of any kind until it has been removed as this can fix it into the wool, leaving a permanent mark.

Here’s how to remove the most common household stains from wool. Things like nail polish and paint will probably require specialist cleaning.

how to remove stains wool

1. Treat the stain

For alcohol, coffee, food, chocolate, urine or vomit stains

First blot up any excess liquid or debris using paper towels or a clean, dry cloth. Scrape off anything you can with a rounded edged knife or spoon. Soak a linen cloth (they don’t shed lint) in a solution of half white vinegar and half wool detergent mixed with cool water. Then use this cloth to dab at the stain, working inwards and on the reverse of the garment to stop the stain spreading.

For oily stains

Again, scrape off any excess residue from the spillage. Use a cloth dipped in white spirit to gently blot the stain off, taking care not to rub and working inwards to contain the stain.

2. Soak the wool

Once you have treated the specific stain spot, soak the garment in a sink or large tub in cool water with some wool detergent. Very gently rub the stain, and then rinse until all the soap residue has washed away.

stain removal wool

3. Rinse

Rinse the item in water mixed with a splash of white vinegar. Once this has run through, keep rinsing until all the vinegar solution has run off.

4. Dry

Smaller items like sweaters or scarves can be wrapped in a towel (linen is perfect thanks to its high absorbency) and gently twisted to remove excess water. The towel should absorb most of the moisture and will protect the wool fibres. If the item is large, like a wool throw or coat, lay in between two towels and press to soak up the water. Leave the item to air dry, making sure it is flat and out of direct sunlight.

5. Seek professional help if needed

Some stains are simply too stubborn, or too old, to be removed this way. A dry cleaner will be able to advise you on whether or not they can get the stain out, and there are stain removal products available to buy if necessary (just check these are suitable for use with wool).

remove wool stain

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