Food & Drink      

Chewing Gum

Apply an ice cube, until the chewing gum becomes hard and brittle. Gently scrape off with a knife.

Eliminate the rest with an appropriate solvent and then rinse thoroughly:

	On white or colourfast cotton, 90º alcohol, (Trichloroethylene can also be tried), and rinse.
	On other colour cotton fabrics, a mixture of equal parts of alcohol or white vinegar and water is also very effective), rinse.
	On synthetic and artificial fabrics, it is preferable to dab the stain as soon as possible with lemon
	water and then rinse. If the stain persists, it is recommended to start the treatment again.
	On wool and silk, it is preferable to apply a rag soaked in a mixture of 1/3 alcohol and 2/3 cold water, rinse.

Coffee, Tea, Chocolate
 

	On silk and wool, water with 90º alcohol gives good results: apply a rag soaked in a mixture of 1/3 alcohol and 2/3 cold water.
	On coloured cotton, apply a water-alcohol mixture (50/50), then some lemon juice, rinse. A mixture of equal parts of white vinegar and 90º alcohol is also very effective.
	On synthetic fabrics, tea stains are cleaned with water and lemon juice added, rinse the stained zone.
Tricks To make stain removal in machine easier, on hard stains (chocolate) apply pure glycerine (product sold in pharmacies) to soften the stain, allow to act a few minutes before removing, machine wash.

Curry

Rinse with cold water and dab with a mixture equal parts of hot water and glycerine. Let it act for half an hour then rinse well and wash normally.


Fat, butter, milk and cream
 

	On colourfast cotton, apply a solvent such as Trichlorotheylen, rinse
	On delicate colour cotton, use ammonia water (1 tablespoon per 1 litre of water), rinse
	On synthetic fibres, apply a rag soaked in a mixture of 1/3 alcohol and 2/3 cold water, rinse
	On wool and silk, sprinkle the stain with talcum powder or grease remover, allow it to be absorbed and then gently brush off.

Place an absorbent white paper or clean cloth under the fabric during the operation, in this way the stain “migrates” with the solvent to the material underneath.
Do not forget to wash and rinse after the operation to remove any trace of solvent.
Warning, milk and cream stains should be treated with warm water never hot (heat cooks the stain).


Fruits and vegetables

If the care code allows it treat with dilute Chlorine bleach or hydrogen peroxide (see comments at the beginning).

If Chlorine bleach is not allowed:

	On artificial and synthetic fabrics, dab with water or dilute white vinegar, rinse.
	On natural fibres, apply a water-alcohol mixture (50/50) followed by white vinegar, rinse.
	On wool, dab with a rag soaked in white vinegar, rinse.

Jam

Pour fizzy water on the stain and let it act. For red fruit stains, wash the stain with cold ammonia water.


Mustard

Mustard stains do not pose any problems. They may be treated like a fruit stain: dab with Hydrogen peroxide 10 Volumes and then wash normally.

Red wine, alcohol

We recommend the use of white wine.

To be avoided:

The old salt trick:  salt tends to fix this type of stains. It is actually used to absorb and avoid the spread of the stain. Salt does not eliminate stains.

Tomato sauce

Prepare an equal parts solution of hot water and glycerine. Soak the fabric for an hour then wash with your usual detergent.