Summer brings the fun of picnics and outdoor gatherings, filled with laughter, fun, and, inevitably, spills. While we all love the taste of BBQ sauce and fresh lemonade, these often leave a mark on laundry. And are especially noticeable on that white t-shirt you hoped would stay white longer than a day. But removing food stains is possible, even from white clothes.
Common Picnic Stains and Their Culprits
Summer picnics often result in laundry stains from BBQ sauce, ketchup, mustard, grass, and ice cream. Each of these has unique problems that can make it tough to remove. For example, mayonnaise stains set quickly under heat due to the proteins. Removing food stains does not have a one-size-fits-all solution; each food has a unique solution.
Removing Food Stains: Treatment and Prevention
Treatment and prevention go hand in hand as an effective strategy for removing food stains. Measures such as choosing fabrics that are less porous and picking darker colors will help prevent stains. Treatments such as stain removers, taking quick action, and using the correct washing cycles help with removing food stains.
When to Turn to the Professionals
Some stains or delicate fabrics require professional advice. Our staff are knowledgeable in treating stains and delicates, ensuring your clothing and blankets alike remain vibrant and long-lasting.
Preventative Measures for Future Picnics
To avoid future stains, opt for darker or patterned fabrics that hide stains better. Pre-treating items prone to stains, such as outdoor blankets, napkins, and clothes can prevent issues down the road. Carrying portable stain removal pens can also save the day.
Removing Food Stains Guide: By Food
Each food presents unique challenges to a stained garment or picnic blanket, so it is necessary to understand which stain remover to use.
Ice Cream: Soaking your stain with an enzyme-based prewash stain remover will help. Then wash on cool or cold.
Grass Stains: To start, run your picnic blanket or clothes under cold water. Then, pretreat with a paste of baking soda and water to lift grass stains. If this does not work, soaking in vinegar is an excellent second step.
BBQ Sauce/Ketchup: Run your blanket or clothing item under cold water and blot the stain. If needed, use white vinegar and warm water to soak, then wash on cool.
Mayonnaise: Apply a stain remover to the affected area. Wash on cold.
Mustard: Rinse with white vinegar, and dab with soap. Wash on cold. Glycerin dabbed on the stain, blotting, and washing on cold can also be effective.
Wine: This can be extremely hard to remove, but it has multiple options. We recommend this guide.
Sunscreen: It may protect you from the sun, but it sadly doesn’t protect you from stains. Spot treat with stain remover. Wash on hot.
Makeup: Although reapplying lipstick after you enjoy your picnic may seem like a good idea, it can go haywire. If the worst occurs, remove the access product with a blunt knife to prevent pushing the product in more. Then, use a cloth to dab on hydrogen peroxide and brush it in. Apply soap to the spot and wash it cold.
Berries: Use vinegar or lemon juice to treat stains, and wash as normal.
Mud: Wait until the mud is dry, then crumble it off, and brush the mud out with a brush. Dish soap or hydrogen peroxide can also help lift the stain.
Your stained picnic blanket or clothes do not have to be permanent. Try our above recommendations to get your blanket clean. Improper stain removal techniques can worsen or set stains, so using the appropriate method is important when removing food stains.
Enjoying Stain-Free Summers with Anthony’s Laundry
Understanding how to tackle common picnic stains can improve your picnics and summer fun. For those tough situations, rely on Anthony’s Laundry to help with removing food stains. Ready to enjoy a carefree summer? Drop off your laundry for our wash and fold service, and head out on a picnic. Or stop by for our self wash and ensure your picnic blanket is stain-free.