How to Remove a Stubborn Stain from Colour Clothing?

Have you stained an item of clothing that you really care about? Or did it bleed colour in the wash? Are you wondering how to take care of your bohemian garments?

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 I’m up to. However, since bohemian clothing is often light and colourful, it’s not uncommon to accidentally stain them.

Today, I’m sharing 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 crucial to clean it as soon as possible: remove it, dampen the stained area, and apply some Marseille soap to it. 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 suitable for delicate fabrics, and avoid harsh spins, as well as high washing and drying temperatures.

Want to know more? Keep reading to find out:

• How to remove stains from clothing without ruining its colours,
• How to clean delicate fabrics,
• What products to avoid, and which ones to use,
• How to care for your bohemian outfits and others to make them last as long as possible!

Is your clothing stained? Act quickly!

When you realise that you've stained a fabric, it's essential to try to clean it as soon as possible. This will give you the best chance of removing the stain.

Certain stains, such as blood or water-based paint stains, are actually quite easy to remove when they are fresh.

Additionally, there are stains that should be kept from penetrating deeply into the fabric, as this could cause irreversible damage. This is particularly true for lily stamens, which release a powder that you should definitely avoid rubbing or wetting. A simple piece of sticky tape applied to the lily stain and then peeled off multiple times will be your best weapon for removing the powder from the stamens.

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

Have you stained a coloured garment and are worried that rubbing the dirt will fade the fabric? That’s a valid concern! To help you avoid this, I’ve put together a selection of tips for cleaning a garment without altering its colours or patterns.

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

When you try to clean a garment, it is possible 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, such as bohemian-style garments, can therefore be quite fragile.

Some tips for removing a stain without damaging your clothing

In the following lines, you'll find techniques and tips that I apply daily to look after my delicate clothing, and I even use them for items that aren't delicate, as they're so easy to implement! 😉

Marseille Soap and White Vinegar: Fabrics-Friendly Products

Marseille soap is a highly effective all-purpose soap, affordable, and known for its 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, slightly dampen the stained area. Then, generously apply the soap. 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 place it directly in the washing machine with a detergent suitable for delicate fabrics, without rinsing off the soap first.

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

🔸 Directly on the task, 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 from water and acetic acid derived from sugar beet, helps to set colours. You can also use it in the same quantities mentioned above, when washing black clothes in the machine. This will help preserve the black shade and prevent your garments from turning grey over time.

Products to Avoid

When researching different stain removal methods, it's common to be advised to use a product you already have in your kitchen. However, not all products are suitable for clothing fabrics. In fact, most are effective on thicker materials, such as upholstery fabrics, and can damage clothing.

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

• Baking soda, especially when you scrub it vigorously,
• Soda crystals, used in the same way,
• Bleach, which discolours and stains coloured clothes,
• Coarse salt, which helps to dissolve cotton when left to soak.

I also advise against using too stiff brushes, as they can damage the fibres of the fabric deeply. This makes them more fragile at the spot where they have been scrubbed, which can lead to them tearing 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 paragraphs that follow, I'll share all my tips for removing a stubborn stain from your garments!

Before we get started, here’s a short video that offers a range of solutions suitable for various types of tasks:

How to Remove a Blood Stain

Blood stains are among the hardest to remove: however, if you act quickly, it is possible! As soon as you notice the stain, thoroughly wet the stained garment with cold water. Use Marseille soap and a soft brush to clean the area. Rinse the garment several times with cold water and scrub until the stain disappears: this may take several minutes.

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

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 dishwashing liquid, applying it to the stain after lightly dampening it. Rub it in with your fingers, making small circular motions.

Next, pop your garment straight into the washing machine for a regular wash cycle. This method can also work for a garment that has already been washed but where a simple machine clean hasn't been able to remove the stain.

Saving Your Discoloured Clothing

Have your clothes lost their colour and do you want to try and restore them to their original shades? Sometimes, this can be an irreversible situation, especially if the fading is significant. However, before you give up, I recommend trying a product that you can find in most supermarkets and that works wonders: Scarlet Water.

Put your faded clothes (at 30°C or higher) in the machine to restore their colours. You can also soak them beforehand with 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 to come? I've put together a list of handy tips that apply especially to the garments we sell at the Boho Via store.

Use the Right Cleaning Products

Like your skin and hair, your laundry should be cared for with suitable products that won’t damage it. There are especially detergents for delicate fabrics available in stores, which are effective even at 30°, 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 care for the fabric fibers and won't damage the colours. You can find them in hardware stores or at many large retailers.

Select an appropriate washing programme

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

• cool water, at 30°,
• a cycle that isn't too short, which doesn't agitate the laundry,
• a spin of less than 600 revolutions per minute for knitted garments and woolens.

Opt for gentle drying and only iron if necessary

Air-drying on a clothes hanger is quite effective for preserving your garments. If your clothes 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 a limited load of clothes and moderate heat.

When it comes to ironing, certain materials such as 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 gradually damage its quality.

Buy a new jacket if the stains are stubborn!

We’ve shared a few techniques to help you remove certain stains. However, if your workwear cannot be cleaned, it may be wise to replace it. After all, your image and standing within the company could be at stake. For instance, you can purchase a modern chef's jacket from a specialised online store.

There are several factors to consider, such as shape, colour, characteristics, type, and maintenance. The latter should be straightforward, as this will make it easy to remove any stains from cooking. Otherwise, you will need 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.

In terms of price, a quality chef's jacket can be priced at under 40 euros. Consider the brand as well as the style and all the factors mentioned in this article, and you'll be able to purchase your garment more easily. Take your time, as this helps to avoid mistakes that could end up costing you money in the long run.

You now know everything you need to keep your clothes in great condition and remove all those stubborn stains from your coloured garments.

If you love fashion, I invite you to discover our online store dedicated to the Bohemian chic universe, offering you dresses, skirts, tunics, and jackets that can be delivered straight to your door!

Long Bohemian Dress