How to Remove a Stubborn Stain from a Coloured Garment?

Have you spilled something on a cherished piece of clothing? Or did it bleed colour in the wash? Are you wondering how to care for your bohemian garments?

I'm here to help you.

As a fan of boho fashion, I believe that the clothes I buy are made to be worn every day, no matter what I’m up to. However, since bohemian clothing is often light and colourful, stains can happen from time to time.

Today, I’m sharing a guide on how to care for your clothes and tackle those pesky stains.

If you've just stained a piece of clothing, it's important to clean it as soon as possible: remove it, dampen the stained area, and apply some Marseille soap. If your garment is coloured, you can wet it using white vinegar, which will help set the colours and prevent any fading. Additionally, take care of your clothes by using suitable cleaning products for delicate fabrics, and avoiding harsh spins, as well as high washing and drying temperatures.

Want to learn more? Keep reading to find out:

• How to remove a stain from clothing without affecting its colours,
• How to clean delicate fabrics,
• Which products to avoid and which ones to use,
• How to care for your bohemian clothes and others to enjoy them for as long as possible!

Spilled something on your clothing? Act fast!

When you notice that you've stained a fabric, it's essential to clean it as quickly as possible. This will indeed give you the best chance of getting it out.

Some stains, like blood or water-based paint stains, come off quite easily when they are fresh.

Moreover, there are stains that you should avoid pressing deeply into the fabric, as they can cause irreversible damage. This is particularly the case with lily stamens, which leave behind a powder that should not be rubbed or wet. A simple piece of adhesive tape placed over the lily stain and removed repeatedly will be your best weapon for getting rid of the stamen powder.

How to Remove a Stubborn Stain from Clothing While Preserving Its Colours?

Have you stained a colourful garment and are worried that scrubbing the dirt might fade the fabric? That’s a possibility! To help you avoid this, I’ve put together a handy selection of tips for cleaning a garment without affecting its colours or patterns.

Why is it important to be careful when washing coloured clothing?

When you're trying to clean a garment, it can sometimes get damaged, especially if you use abrasive products, a harsh brush, or if the fabric is delicate. The materials used for making lightweight clothing, such as bohemian styles, can be quite fragile.

Some Tips for Removing Stains Without Damaging Your Clothing

In the following lines, you'll find techniques and tips that I apply daily to care for my delicate garments, which I also use for those that aren’t so delicate, as they're so easy to implement! 😉

Marseille Soap and White Vinegar: Fabric-Friendly Products

Marseille soap is a highly effective multi-purpose soap that is affordable and has stain-removing properties. It is gentle on the skin, making it suitable for those with sensitive skin.

To remove a stain from clothing using Marseille soap, lightly dampen the stained area. Then, apply the soap generously. Next, gently rub the fabric against itself, or use a very soft brush. I personally use a soft-bristled toothbrush, which works a treat. Let it sit for five to ten minutes, then pop it straight into the washing machine with a delicate fabric detergent, without rinsing off the soap.

If you're worried about the colours running, you can also apply white vinegar:

🔸 Directly on the stain, instead of water, use Marseille soap,

🔸 Then, pour half a glass of pure white vinegar with the laundry into the compartment designed for it in your washing machine.

This vinegar, made from water and acetic acid derived from sugar beet, helps to set colours. You can also use it in the same quantities as mentioned above, when washing black clothes in the machine. This will help to keep the black hue and prevent your clothes from turning grey over time.

Products to Avoid

When researching various stain removal methods, it's common to be advised to use a product you likely already have in your kitchen. However, not all products are suitable for clothing fabrics. Most are actually effective on thicker materials, like upholstery fabrics, and can damage your clothes.

Here’s a quick list of products you should avoid if you have any doubts:

• Baking soda, especially when rubbed in vigorously,
• Soda crystals, in the same manner,
• Bleach, which discolours and stains coloured clothes,
• Rock salt, which can dissolve cotton when left to soak.

I also advise against using overly stiff brushes, as they can deeply damage the fibres of the fabrics. This makes them more fragile at the areas that have been rubbed, making them more likely to tear later on.

What to Do About a Stubborn Specific Stain?

No matter what sort of stain you've got on your clothes, if it's stubborn and refuses to budge, there's definitely a suitable solution for it. In the following lines, I'll share all my tips to help you remove a tough stain from your clothing!

Before we begin, here’s a short video that offers plenty of solutions tailored to different types of tasks:

Removing a Blood Stain

Blood stains are among the hardest to remove; however, if you act quickly, it's possible! As soon as you notice the stain, soak the stained item in cold water. Use Marseille soap and a soft brush to scrub the area. Rinse the item in cold water multiple times and keep scrubbing until the stain is gone; this may take several minutes.

👉 If your stained garment or fabric isn't delicate, you can try adding a bit of baking soda along with the soap if you're struggling to remove the stain.

Cleaning a grease or oil stain

These stains are among the most common: who hasn’t accidentally stained their top while cooking or eating? To tackle them, use a colourless degreasing dishwashing liquid (clear), applying it directly to the stain after lightly moistening it. Rub it with your fingers, making small circular motions.

Next, simply pop your garment into the washing machine for a normal wash cycle. This method can also work for items that have already been washed and where a simple machine wash didn't remove the stain.

Saving Your Colour-Run Clothes

Your clothes have lost their colour and you’re looking to restore them to their original hues? This can sometimes be an irreversible situation, especially if the fading is significant. However, before you throw in the towel, I recommend trying a product that’s available in all supermarkets and can work wonders: Eau écarlate.

Pop them in your washing machine with the clothes that have discolored (at least 30°) to restore their colours. You can also soak them beforehand in this solution. This works especially well for light and white clothing!

3 Tips for Caring for Your Bohemian Clothes Every Day

Do you want to enjoy your favourite clothes for a long time and be able to wear them for years? I've put together a list of handy tips, particularly relevant to the clothing we sell at the Boho Via store.

Use the Right Cleaning Products

Just like your skin and hair, your laundry needs to be cared for with appropriate products that won't damage it. There are specially formulated delicate fabric washes available, which work from as low as 30°C, as well as special detergents that help preserve colours.

Additionally, if you stain your clothes, you can also invest in a stain remover specifically designed for the type of stain you’re dealing with. These products are gentle on the fabric and won't damage the colours. You can find them at hardware stores or many large supermarkets.

Choose an Appropriate Wash Program

To wash delicate garments, I recommend using a special delicate wash cycle. This type of setting generally corresponds to:

• cool water at 30°,
• a cycle that isn’t too short, so it doesn’t agitate the laundry,
• a spin speed of less than 600 RPM for knitwear and woollens.

Opt for gentle drying and iron only if necessary

The air drying on a hanger is quite suitable for preserving your clothes. If your garments are dark or coloured, I recommend avoiding direct sunlight for drying, as it may fade their colours. If you have a tumble dryer, opt for short cycles, with only a few items, and use a moderate heat setting.

When it comes to ironing, certain fabrics like polyester, acrylic, and polyamide shouldn't be ironed. For other materials, I recommend only ironing when necessary, and avoid applying too much heat to your garment, as prolonged exposure to heat can diminish its quality over time.

Buy a new jacket if the stains are stubborn!

We’ve shared some techniques to help you remove a few stains. However, if your work attire can’t be cleaned, it might be wise to replace it. After all, your image and position within the company could be at stake. You can purchase, for example, a modern chef’s jacket from a specialised online store.

There are several factors to consider, such as the shape, colour, features, style, and maintenance. The latter should be straightforward, as this makes it easy to eliminate any stains from cooking. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself needing to buy a new model quite often, which can be quite costly. This also applies if the company is responsible for providing the uniforms.

In terms of price, a quality chef's jacket can be priced at under $40. Consider the brand, the style, and all the factors mentioned in this article; this will make it easier for you to choose your garment. Take your time to avoid mistakes that could end up costing you in the long run.

Now you know everything you need to care for your clothes and remove all those stubborn stains from your coloured garments.

If you're a fan of fashion, I invite you to check out our online boutique dedicated to the boho chic style. We offer a range of items including dresses, skirts, tunics, and jackets, all of which can be delivered straight to your door!

Long Bohemian Dress