How to Remove Stubborn Stains from Coloured Clothes?

You’ve stained a piece of clothing that you really like? Or have you accidentally bleached it in the washing machine? Are you wondering how to care for your bohemian clothes?

I will 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 activities I'm up to. However, since bohemian clothing is often light and colorful, it's not uncommon for them to get stained.

Today, I’m sharing a guide on how to take care of your clothes and how to clean them if you have 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 clothing is coloured, you can dampen it with white vinegar, which helps to set the colours and prevent fading. Also, take care of your garments by using suitable cleaning products 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 from a garment without fading its colours,
• How to clean delicate fabrics,
• What are the products to avoid, and which ones to use instead,
• How to take care of your bohemian clothes and others to make them last as long as possible!

Stained your clothes? Act fast!

When you notice a stain on your fabric, it’s important to try to clean it as soon as possible. This will give you the best chance of getting rid of it completely.

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

Furthermore, there are some stains you should be careful with to avoid them penetrating deep into the fabric, as this might damage it irreversibly. One such example is the pollen from a Lily, which leaves a powder that you definitely shouldn’t rub or wet. The best method to remove the pollen from the Lily stain is to use a piece of adhesive tape—simply place it on the stain and pull it off several times.

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

You’ve got a stain on your coloured clothing, and you’re worried that scrubbing it might fade the fabric? It’s a real concern! To help you out, I’ve put together a handy selection of tips on how to clean your garment without affecting its colours or patterns.

Why You Should Be Cautious When Detaching a Coloured Garment

When you're trying to clean a piece of clothing, there's a chance you might damage it, especially if you use harsh products, a stiff brush, or if the fabric is delicate. The materials used for making light clothing, like bohemian styles, can be quite fragile.

Some Tips to Remove Stains Without Damaging Your Clothes

In the following sections, you'll find techniques and tips that I apply daily to take care of my delicate clothes, and I even use them for those that aren’t as delicate because they're so easy to implement! 😉

Marseille Soap and White Vinegar: Gentle Products for Your Fabrics

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. Personally, I use a soft-bristled toothbrush, and it works quite well. Let it sit for five to ten minutes, and 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 onto the stain, before using Marseille soap, instead of water,

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

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

Products to Avoid

When you research various stain removal methods, you often come across a recommendation for a product you already have in your kitchen. However, not all products are suitable for use on clothing fabrics. In fact, most are effective on thicker materials, such as upholstery fabrics, and can damage your clothes.

Here’s a quick list of products you might want to avoid if you have any doubts:

• Baking soda, especially when you scrub hard,
• Sodium percarbonate, used in the same way,
• Bleach, which discolours and stains coloured clothes,
• Coarse salt, which dissolves cotton when left to sit.

I also advise against using too hard brushes, as they can deeply damage the fabric fibres. This makes them more fragile at the points where they've been scrubbed, which increases the likelihood of tearing later on.

What to do if you have a specific stubborn stain?

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

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

Removing a Blood Stain

Blood stains are among the toughest to clean, but with quick action, it can be done! As soon as you spot the stain, soak the stained fabric in cold water. Use Marseille soap and a soft brush to scrub the area. Rinse the fabric thoroughly with cold water several times and keep scrubbing until the stain is gone; this may take a few minutes.

👉 If your stained clothing or fabric isn’t delicate, you can try adding some baking soda along with soap if the stain doesn’t come out easily.

Cleaning Oil and Grease Stains

These stains are among the most common: who hasn't accidentally stained their top while cooking or eating? To get rid of them, use a clear degreasing dishwashing liquid, which you should apply directly to the stain after lightly dampening it. Rub it gently with your fingers, making small circular motions.

Next, just toss your garment into the washing machine for a normal wash cycle. This method can also work for a garment that has already been washed but still has a stain that a simple machine wash couldn't get rid of.

Saving Your Faded Clothes

Have you accidentally faded your clothes and want to restore their original colors? Sometimes, this situation can be irreversible, especially if the fading is significant. However, before you give up, I recommend trying a product you can find in any supermarket that can work wonders: Scarlet Water.

Pop them into your washing machine with the clothes that have faded (at 30°C) to restore their colours. You can also soak them first with this solution. This works especially well for light and white clothes!

3 Tips for Taking Care of Your Bohemian Clothing Daily

You want to make the most of your favourite clothes and wear them for years to come? I've put together a list of handy tips that apply particularly to the clothes we sell at the Boho Via store.

Use the Right Cleaning Products

Just like your skin and hair, your laundry needs to be taken care of with suitable products that won’t damage it. There are indeed specific detergents for delicate fabrics available in stores that work as low as 30°C, as well as special detergents that help preserve colours.

Additionally, if you stain your clothes, you might consider investing in a stain remover that's specifically designed for the type of stain you're dealing with. These products are gentle on fabric fibres and won't damage the colours. You can usually find them at hardware stores or in many major supermarkets.

Choose a Suitable Washing Programme

To wash delicate fabrics, I recommend using a special delicate wash cycle. This setting usually includes:

• water that’s not too hot, at 30°,
• a wash cycle that’s not too short, so it doesn’t agitate the clothes too much,
• a spin speed of less than 600 revolutions per minute for knitwear and woolens.

Opt for Gentle Drying and Iron Only If Necessary

The air-drying on a hanger method is quite effective for preserving your clothes. If your clothes are dark or brightly coloured, I recommend avoiding direct sunlight for drying, as it may fade their colours. If you have a dryer, go for shorter cycles with fewer clothes and set it to a reasonable heat level.

When it comes to ironing, certain materials like polyester, acrylic, and polyamide should not be ironed. For the others, I recommend only ironing when necessary, and avoid using high heat on your clothing, as excessive heat can damage the fabric quality over time.

Time to Get a New Jacket If the Stains Won't Budge!

We’ve shared some tips to help you remove stains. However, if your work clothing is beyond cleaning, it might be wise to replace it. Your image and standing in the company could be affected. For instance, you can buy a modern chef's jacket from a specialised online store.

You will need to consider several factors such as the shape, color, as well as the features, style, and maintenance. The maintenance should be straightforward, as this allows you to easily remove any stains from cooking. Otherwise, you’ll have to purchase a new model quite often, which can be quite costly. This will also apply if the company is the one providing the uniforms.

In terms of pricing, a quality chef's jacket can be priced at less than 40 euros. Consider the brand, the style, and all the factors mentioned in this article to help you make a more informed purchase. Take your time, as this will help you avoid costly mistakes in the long run.

Now you know everything you need to take care of your clothes and remove those stubborn stains from your colourful garments.

If you're into fashion, I invite you to check out our online store dedicated to the chic bohemian world. We offer a variety of items including dresses, skirts, tunics, and jackets, all available for delivery straight to your doorstep!

Bohemian Long Dress