Removing various stains for cotton & linen fabrics

Today we’re tackling the grimy topic of stain removal and other fabric faux-pas. Here’s how to handle them like a pro!

Learn how to grapple with:

Red wine spills (from a night of enthusiastic entertaining)
Wax removal (from the time you served up a lovely candlelit dinner atop your beautiful Kamma Linen Tablecloth… and now find it stuck to the table from all the dripped wax)
Cooking oil stain removal (from when you forgot to wear your Mungo Chef’s Apron and managed to get splattered while flipping fritters, or chicken, or whatever oily thing it was).
Tea and coffee spills and stains (that time you got so cosy wrapped in your Chenille Throw that you fell asleep with your mug still in your hand. Don’t lie, we’ve all done it!)

And just because we love ya’, we’re going to tell you how to soften your new sheets, and how to be the proud recipient of softer towels.

Red Wine

There are many ways to remove red wine from your tablecloth and everyone and their mother has 2-5 cents to put in on the subject. You’ll hear everything from pouring salt on the stain to pouring white wine on the red wine spill. (Though, that sounds like a hideous waste to us!) So, we’ve been asking around to some of our longest customers how they do it, and then of course we had to try it ourselves! Here goes:

Before you wash your tablecloth, spot treat the area with a colour safe stain remover. Vanish and Preen have both been recommended to us, for example.

Gently rub a little of the stain remover onto said stain, let it sit for a moment or two and then wash according to your tablecloth’s washing instructions. If for some reason the stain hasn’t come completely out after this, simply repeat the process while your tablecloth is still wet. Voila! If you find yourself having to do this after every use, then it’s time to start drinking white wine instead!)

Wax Removal

This is a fun one! (No really, it’s not so bad) First, you have to let the wax harden completely, as this will help you to not smear it all over. A way to speed up this process is to rub an ice cube over the wax. Then, using a credit card or a butter knife gently scrape off as much of the wax as you can. Place a plain paper bag over the spot and press with a warm (not hot!) iron. Continue this, using fresh pieces of paper until all of the wax is absorbed.

Cooking Oil

First, you need to treat the area with a dish washing detergent that is formulated to cut grease. Rub a bit into the stain, let it sit for a few minutes then launder as you normally would. We’ve also heard that waterless mechanic’s soap (from an auto parts shop) is fantastic at cutting grease!

Tea and Coffee

For a fresh stain, pour boiling water over the area until the stain disappears. For old stains, make a paste of Borax (boric acid) and water and leave on for 15 minutes. Launder as usual. Easy Peasy.

Naturally Soften Sheets and Towels

Step one is to stop using so much detergent and fabric softeners! These create build-up over time which is making your fabrics stiff. Then, (and this is just as easy) add one cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle. White vinegar is fantastic at removing detergent and fabric softener build-up. This will leave your sheets and towels soft and fresh. (Don’t worry the vinegar smell won’t be there once it dries!) You can substitute white vinegar for your typical fabric softener with every wash. Your laundry won’t smell “April Fresh” but then, it’s not going to smell of heavy artificial perfumes either. Who knew?

And one more thing…

The fantastic thing about all of your favourite Mungo bed linen, table linen, and towels is that since they are all made with loving care AND natural fibres. This means that they will not only last for ages, but they will naturally not want to cling to stains!

Have any great tips? Please feel free to share them with us!