How to Remove a Tough Stain from Coloured Clothing?

Have you stained a favourite piece of clothing? Or did it bleed colour in the wash? Are you wondering how to take care of your bohemian outfits?

I will help you.

As a fan of boho fashion, I believe that the clothes I buy are meant to be worn every day, no matter what I'm up to. However, since bohemian clothing is often light and colourful, it's easy for them to get stained.

Today, I'm sharing a guide on how to care for your clothing and clean it in case of a stubborn stain.

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 clothing is coloured, you can dampen it with white vinegar, which will help set the colours and prevent any discolouration. Also, take care of your garments by using cleaning products designed for delicate fabrics, and avoid harsh spinning cycles, as well as high washing and drying temperatures.

Want to learn more? Keep reading to discover:

• How to remove stains from clothing without fading its colours,
• How to clean delicate fabrics,
• What products to avoid, and which ones to use,
• How to care for your bohemian clothing and others so you can enjoy them for as long as possible!

Spilled something on your clothes? Act fast!

When you notice that you've stained a piece of fabric, it's important to try to clean it as soon as possible. This is indeed what will give you the best chance of removing the stain.

Some stains, like blood or water-based paint stains, are actually quite easy to remove when they are fresh.

Additionally, there are stains that should be prevented from penetrating deeply into the fabric, as they can cause irreversible damage. This is especially true for lily pollen, which leaves a powder that should never be rubbed or moistened. A simple piece of adhesive tape applied to the lily stain and then pulled off several times will be your best weapon to remove the pollen residue.

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

You've stained a coloured garment, and you're worried that scrubbing the dirt will fade the fabric? That's a real concern! To help you avoid this, I've put together a handy list of tips for cleaning a garment without affecting its colours or patterns.

Why You Should Be Cautious When Removing Colourful Clothing

When you're trying to clean a garment, it's possible to damage it, especially if you use abrasive products, a stiff brush, or if the fabric is delicate. The materials used to make lightweight clothing, such as bohemian styles, can be quite fragile.

Some Tips for Cleaning a Stain Without Damaging Your Clothing

In the following lines, you will find techniques and tips that I use daily to care for my delicate garments, and I even apply these methods to my sturdier items, as they are so easy to implement! 😉

Marseille Soap and White Vinegar: Fabric-Friendly Products

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

To remove a stain from clothing using Marseille soap, lightly dampen the area around the stain. 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 really well. Let it sit for five to ten minutes, then toss it directly into the washing machine with a detergent meant for delicate fabrics, without rinsing off the soap first.

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

🔸 Directly on the stain, before using Marseille soap, instead of water,

🔸 Next, pour half a glass of pure white vinegar with the laundry into the designated compartment of your washing machine.

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

Products to Avoid

When researching different stain removal methods, you often find recommendations for products you already have in your kitchen. However, not all products are suitable for clothing fabrics. Most of them are effective on thicker materials, such as upholstery fabrics, and can damage your clothes.

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

• Baking soda, especially when scrubbed vigorously,
• Soda crystals, similarly,
• Bleach, which can discolour and stain coloured fabrics,
• Coarse salt, which can dissolve cotton when left to soak.

I also recommend avoiding the use of overly coarse brushes, as they can damage the fibers of the fabric deeply. This makes them more fragile at the points where they have been rubbed, making them more likely to tear later on.

What to Do for a Specific Stubborn Stain?

No matter what kind of stain you've encountered on your clothing, if it's stubborn and just won't budge, there's definitely a solution for it. In the following sections, I'll share all my tips for removing stubborn stains from your garments!

Before we get started, here’s a short video offering a variety 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 garment thoroughly in cold water. Use Marseille soap and a soft brush to scrub. Rinse the garment several times in cold water and continue scrubbing until the stain disappears; this may take several minutes.

👉 If your stained clothing or fabric is not delicate, you can try adding some baking soda along with the soap if you're having trouble getting the stain out.

Cleaning Grease or Oil Stains

These stains are among the most common: who hasn't accidentally stained their shirt while cooking or eating? To get rid of them, use a clear grease-cutting dish soap that contains no dyes. Apply it to the stain after lightly dampening it. Gently rub it with your fingers in small circular motions.

Then, place your garment directly into the washing machine for a standard wash cycle. This method can also be effective for a garment that has already been washed, and where a regular machine wash did not remove the stain.

Saving Your Faded Clothes

Your clothes have faded, and you're looking to restore their original colors? This can sometimes be an irreversible situation, especially if the fading is significant. However, before you give up, I recommend trying a product that can be found in all supermarkets and can work wonders: Scarlet Water.

Put your faded clothes in the washing machine (at 30°C) to revive 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 Clothing Every Day

Would you like to enjoy your favourite clothing for a long time and be able to wear it for years? I've put together a list of helpful tips that particularly apply to the clothing we sell at Boho Via.

Use the Right Cleaning Products

Just like your skin and hair, your linens need to be treated with the right products that won't cause damage. There are, in fact, specialized detergents for delicate fabrics available on the market that work effectively at just 30°C, as well as special detergents designed to preserve colours.

Additionally, if you stain your clothing, you can also invest in a stain remover that is specifically designed for the type of stain you’re dealing with. These products care for the fabric and won’t damage the colours. You can find them at hardware stores or in many big box retailers.

Select a Suitable Washing Program

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

• cool water, at 30°C,
• a wash cycle that isn't too short, so it doesn't agitate the fabrics,
• a spin speed of less than 600 rpm for knitwear and wool garments.

Opt for Gentle Drying and Only Iron When Necessary

The air-drying on a hanger method is quite suitable for preserving your clothing. If your garments are dark or colored, I recommend avoiding direct sunlight for drying, as it may fade their colours. If you have a dryer, opt for shorter cycles, with fewer items, and at a moderate heat setting.

When it comes to ironing, certain materials such as polyester, acrylic, and polyamide should not be ironed. For other fabrics, I recommend ironing only when necessary, and avoid heating the garment too much, as excessive heat can affect its quality over time.

Buy a New Jacket if Stains Are Stubborn!

We were able to share some techniques to help you remove stains. However, if your professional clothing cannot be cleaned, it may be wise to replace it. After all, your image and your position within the company could be at stake. You can purchase, for example, a modern kitchen jacket from a specialized online store.

You will need to consider several factors including shape, colour, characteristics, type, and maintenance. The latter should be simple, as this makes it easy to remove any stains that occur in the kitchen. Otherwise, you may have to purchase a new model quite regularly, and the cost can add up significantly. This will also apply if the company is responsible for providing the uniforms.

In terms of price, a quality chef's jacket can be found for under $40. Consider the brand, style, and all the factors discussed in this article to make your purchasing decision easier. Take your time, as it helps avoid mistakes that could cost you more in the long run.

You now know everything you need to care for your clothing and remove stubborn stains from your coloured garments.

If you love fashion, I invite you to check out our online boutique dedicated to the Boho chic universe, where you'll find dresses, skirts, as well as tunics and jackets, all delivered directly to your home!

Long Bohemian Dress