After an overnight soak in OxiClean, I still see the shadows of the mud that my enthusiastic 7YO got on her light blue t shirt. I've scrubbed it gently with an old toothbrush but it seems as if this residue has become one with the fabric. Any other suggestions to try before the shirt gets demoted to "messy play clothes"?
thanks for the suggestions. I've left that shirt soaking in a bin with cold water and a little laundry detergent for the past few days and it looks like most of the 'shadow' has come out
I've used RIT brightener a few times on my husband's muddy clothes and it seems to to the trick. You can find it in the laundry care aisle just about anywhere. It comes in a very small package because you do not use a lot of it. Good luck!
I've suggested this before and will again - the BEST product on the market by far is Zout. Apply it directly to the stain and gently "scrub" with an old toothbrush and add a capful to the wash water. A really bad stain may take a couple of washings, but most come out in one wash. I put a generous capful in every load to brighen colors. This product removes automotive grease, telephone pole grease, dirt, food stains, etc. I've even used it to remove stains from "dry clean only" fabrics without damaging the garments. You'll find it at Nob Hill and most Walgreen's for sure, though it's widely available elsewhere, not sure where.
Wash it and hang it out in the sun & then see where you are (assuming you haven't put it in the dryer--if so, the stain is set & it's playclothes).
I can also attest to the effectiveness of Zout...I've found it most recently at Bed Bath & Beyond stores. I've also had success making a paste of oxiclean powder and rubbing in onto the stain and letting it sit for a day and then washing.
Good luck
P.
I discovered Shout Advanced. Great stuff! You spray it on a stain and let it sit overnight and spray it on again before washing. This stuff has taken out stains in clothes that have been washed.
I like spray and wash. The stick. It's in a dispenser like deodorant. You rub it on the clothes and they can stay in the hamper unwashed for up to a week and it will not harm your clothes. It got a stain out of my favorite comfy pj's that was 5 years old!
I also love Zout. I feel like the gel works better than the spray. Also, I soak my really difficult stains in lots of "Biz" overnight and that works well. It does take quite a few extra rinses to get it all out though. I have even gotten out set-in stains with it.
I found that sometimes you need to soak the clothes in Oxiclean for up to a whole week (overnight may not be enough for the really tough ones). I've been able to take away stains that are many years old that way. I also like Zout and I use it in combination with the oxyclean.
