How to Remove a Stubborn Stain from Coloured Clothing?

Have you stained a garment that you really care about? Or did you accidentally make it fade in the wash? Are you wondering how to take care of your bohemian-style clothing?

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, it can sometimes get stained.

Today, I'm offering you a guide on how to care for your clothes and clean them 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: first, take it off, dampen the stained area, and apply some Marseille soap. If your garment is coloured, you can wet it with white vinegar, which helps fix the colours and prevents any discolouration. Take care of your clothes by using cleaning products suitable for delicate fabrics, and avoid harsh spinning cycles, as well as high washing and drying temperatures.

Want to know more? Keep reading to find out:

• How to remove a stain without damaging its colours,
• How to clean delicate fabrics,
• What products to avoid and which ones to favour,
• How to take care of your bohemian clothes and others so you can 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 crucial to try to clean it as soon as possible. This is, after all, what will give you the best chance of getting rid of the stain.

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

Additionally, there are stains that you should avoid allowing to penetrate deeply into the fabric, as this could cause irreversible damage. This is particularly true for lily pollen, which leaves a powder that should not be rubbed or dampened. A simple piece of adhesive tape applied to the lily stain and then pulled away several times will be your best weapon to remove the pollen effectively.

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

You’ve stained a colourful garment and you’re worried that rubbing the dirt will fade the fabric? That is a possibility! To avoid that, I’ve put together a few handy tips for cleaning a garment without affecting its colours or patterns.

Why is it important to be careful when washing a coloured garment?

When you're trying to clean a garment, it's easy to damage it, especially if you use abrasive products, a hard brush, or if the fabric is delicate. The materials used to make lightweight clothing, like bohemian-style outfits, 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 use daily to look after my delicate clothes, and I apply these even to items that aren’t as fragile, 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 and is suitable for those with sensitive skin.

To remove a stain from a garment using Marseille soap, lightly dampen the area around the stain. Then, apply the soap generously. After that, 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 detergent suitable for delicate fabrics, without rinsing off the soap.

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

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

🔸 Next, pour half a glass of pure white vinegar into the detergent drawer of your washing machine.

This vinegar, made from water and acetic acid derived from beet sugar, 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 maintain the black shade and prevent your garments from turning grey over time.

Products to Avoid

When researching the various stain removal methods, it often happens that we're advised to use a product we already have in our kitchen. However, not all products are suitable for the fabrics of our clothes. In fact, most are effective on thicker materials, such as upholstery fabrics, and can damage clothing.

Here’s a handy list of products you might want to steer clear of, especially if you have any doubts:

• With bicarbonate of soda, especially when vigorously scrubbing,
• Percarbonate of soda, in the same manner,
• Bleach, which can discolour and stain coloured fabrics,
• Rock salt, which dissolves the cotton when left to soak.

I also advise against using too stiff brushes, as they can damage the fibres of the fabrics deeply. This makes them more fragile where they've been scrubbed, and they can therefore tear more easily later on.

What to do for specific stubborn stains?

No matter what kind of stain you've got on your clothes, if it's stubborn and just won't budge, there's definitely a solution for it. In the following lines, I'll share all my tips for getting rid of a persistent stain on your clothing!

Before we start, 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 trickiest to remove; however, if you act quickly, it can be done! As soon as you notice the stain, soak the stained fabric thoroughly in cold water. Use Marseille soap and a soft brush to scrub the area. Rinse the garment several times in cold water, and keep scrubbing until the stain is gone; this may take a few minutes.

👉 If your stained garment or fabric isn't delicate, you could try adding a bit of baking soda along with the soap, if the stain doesn't come out easily.

How to Clean a Grease or Oil Stain

These stains are among the most common: who hasn’t accidentally marked their top while cooking or eating? To tackle them, use a clear, grease-cutting washing-up liquid, applying it to the stain after lightly dampening it. Gently rub it with your fingers in small circular motions.

Next, 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, where a simple machine wash did not remove the stain.

Saving Your Colour-Run Clothes

Have your clothes lost their original colours and you'd like to try to restore them? Sometimes, this situation can be irreversible, especially if the discolouration is significant. However, before you throw in the towel, I recommend trying a product that's available in all supermarkets and can work wonders: Scarlet Water.

Place your discoloured clothes in the machine (at 30°) to restore their colours. You can also soak them beforehand using this solution. This method works particularly well for light and white clothing!

3 Tips for Caring for Your Bohemian Outfits Every Day

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

Use the Right Cleaning Products

Just like your skin and hair, your laundry needs to be treated with suitable products that won't damage it. There are specifically designed detergents for delicate fabrics available, which work effectively from 30 degrees, as well as special detergents that help to preserve colours.

Additionally, if you happen to stain your clothes, you might want to 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 in hardware stores or many large supermarkets.

Select a Suitable Wash Program

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

• cool water, at 30°,
• a cycle that isn't too short, so it doesn't agitate the laundry,
• an extraction speed of less than 600 revolutions per minute for knitted and woollen garments.

Opt for a gentle drying method and only iron if absolutely necessary

Air-drying your clothes on a clothes hanger is a great way to preserve them. If your garments are dark or coloured, I recommend avoiding direct sunlight as it could fade their colours. If you're using a tumble dryer, opt for short cycles with a few items and on a moderate heat setting.

When it comes to ironing, certain fabrics like polyester, acrylic, and polyamide should not be ironed. For other fabrics, I recommend only ironing when absolutely necessary, and avoid overheating your garment, as excessive heat can damage its quality over time.

Buy a New Jacket if the Stains are Stubborn!

We’ve shared a few techniques to help you remove some stains. However, if your workwear 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 instance, a modern chef’s jacket from a specialised online store.

You will need to consider several factors, such as the shape, colour, and characteristics, as well as the type and maintenance requirements. The maintenance should be straightforward, as this allows you to easily remove any stains that occur in the kitchen. Otherwise, you will have to purchase a new model quite frequently, which can be quite costly. This will also apply if the company is responsible for providing the uniforms.

When it comes to pricing, a quality chef's jacket can be priced at under €40. Consider the brand, the style, and all the factors mentioned in this article, and you'll find it easier to purchase your clothing. Take your time, as this can help avoid mistakes that might cost you money in the long run.

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

If you're a fan of fashion, I invite you to check out our online store dedicated to the Bohemian chic universe. We offer a range of items including dresses, skirts, tunics, and jackets, all available for delivery straight to your door!

Bohemian Long Dress