How to Remove Stains on Clothes from the Dryer: Tested and Trusted Techniques
Ever pulled your clothes out of the dryer to find unexpected stains staring back at you? Fret not, we're here to tackle those unsightly marks with effective solutions, keeping your attire looking fresh and clean. But before we dive into the hacks, let's understand the types of stains that might pop up during the drying process.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Watch our video to see 3 proven stain removal hacks that we tested for removing stains on clothes.
- Get additional expert tips for removing stains from clothes that you pull out of the dryer.
- Learn about how to prevent stains on clothes before they go into the dryer.
Different Dryer Stains and How They Occur
Stains on clothes after drying can come in many shapes and forms. Identifying the type is your first step towards restoring your clothes to their original glory.
You might encounter grease or oil stains, food stains, ink stains, plant stains and more. The culprits behind these stains are varied:
- Overlooked items in pockets before drying.
- Excessive fabric softener or detergent.
- Grass stains.
- Neglecting to treat stains prior to drying.
Remember, the longer a stain stays, the deeper it seeps into the fabric fibers, making it more challenging to get rid of dryer stains. So, act fast to prevent permanent staining.
Tested Techniques for Removing Stains
Knowing how to remove stains is crucial for everyone. Here are some tested strategies to tackle different types of stains.
3 Laundry Stain Removal Hacks – Tested by Sears Home Services
Here’s a video that shows 3 laundry stain removal hacks that we tested:
Hack #1: Use a DIY Cleaning Solution to Remove Grass Stains
Just because you get grass stains on your favorite piece of clothes doesn’t mean that it’s ruined forever.
Try this hack to remove grass stains.
- In an appropriate-sized container, add two tablespoons hydrogen peroxide and one tablespoon of dish soap to about 24 oz. of water (two 12-oz. glasses of water).
- Soak your stained clothing item in the mixture for 15-20 minutes.
- Wash the garment using an appropriate wash cycle.
During our test, the DIY cleaning solution that we used removed virtually all of the grass stains. This hack passed our test.
Hack #2: Remove Ink Stains Using Hand Sanitizer or Hairspray
Before you begin, place a cloth under the stain so it doesn’t bleed through to the other side of the garment during treatment.
- Saturate the ink stain with either hand sanitizer or hairspray.
- Blot the stain.
- Wait 1-2 minutes.
- Wash the garment using appropriate washer settings.
In our test, both the hand sanitizer and the hairspray removed the ink stains. This stain removal hack passed our test.
Hack #3: Use Cola to Remove Grease Stains
Grease stains are some of the toughest to remove from clothing. Pouring cola on a grease stain sounds scary. That’s why we tested this hack to find out whether it actually works.
- Saturate the grease stain in cola.
- Let the garment sit for 15 minutes.
- Throw the item in the washer.
Surprisingly, this hack for removing grease stains from clothing worked amazingly well. This grease removal hack passed our test.
Keep all of these verified hacks in mind when you need to remove tough stains from clothing.
Additional Stain Removal Techniques
Here are additional proven techniques for removing tough stains.
Pre-Treating Stains
Blot the stain gently with a clean cloth to remove excess substance. Apply a stain remover to the stained area, let it sit for a few minutes before tossing it into the washer.
There are numerous stain removal products available, such as enzyme-based cleaners and oxygen bleach. Alternatively, you can use household items like vinegar for coffee or tea stains, and baking soda for grease stains. Always test any product on a small, hidden area of the fabric first.
Removing Specific Types of Stains
Certain stains call for certain techniques. Here's how to remove ink from a clothes dryer and more.
- Grease stains: Blot the grease, sprinkle cornstarch or baby powder, brush off the powder, and pre-treat the stain before washing.
- Ink stains: Clean ink out of a clothes dryer by dabbing the stain with rubbing alcohol, blot until the ink transfers, rinse with cold water, and pre-treat the stain before washing.
- Food stains: Remove excess food, rinse with cold water, apply liquid detergent directly to the stain, rub the fabric together, and wash as usual.
These special techniques will help you get rid of stains and maintain your clothes' best look. Always follow the care instructions on your clothing labels and test any stain removal method on a small area first.
Preventing Stains on Clothes from the Dryer
Prevention is better than cure - this saying holds true for dryer stains as well. Here are some tips to prevent stains during the drying process:
- Empty pockets: Ensure pockets are empty before drying. Small items like change or tissues can stain or damage your clothes.
- Separate colors: Sort laundry by color to prevent color bleeding. Washing dark clothes separately from light ones can help avoid stains.
- Inspect clothing: Check for stains or spills before drying. Pre-treating these stains can prevent them from setting in during the drying process.
- Maintain your dryer: Regularly inspect and clean the dryer drum to prevent residue or buildup from staining your clothes.
By following these preventive measures, you can keep your clothes stain-free and prolong the life of your garments.
Schedule your dryer maintenance now!
Keep your dryer working efficiently and lasting longer with regular professional maintenance.
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Maintain Dryer Resources
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Glossary Terms
Natural gas is a fossil fuel used primarily for heating, cooking, and electricity generation. It's a hydrocarbon gas mixture consisting mainly of methane, but it also contains smaller amounts of other hydrocarbons and sometimes sulfur compounds.
A gas dryer is a laundry appliance that uses natural gas or propane to generate heat to dry clothes.
A furnace filter is a component installed in HVAC systems to trap and remove dust, pollen, and other airborne particles from the air, enhancing indoor air quality and protecting the furnace's inner workings.
Hard water is water that contains high levels of dissolved minerals, particularly calcium and magnesium. It contrasts with soft water, which has lower concentrations of these minerals.
Common Repair Dryer Symptoms
The most common reasons your Whirlpool dryer won't turn off are an open heating element, defective electronic control board or a failed thermistor.
The most common reasons your Whirlpool dryer won't start cycle are a faulty thermal fuse, failed door switch or a broken drum belt.
The most common reasons your Whirlpool dryer won't heat up are an open heating element, failed thermal cut-off fuse or a defective electronic control board.
The most common reasons for a Whirlpool dryer will not come on issue are a faulty thermal fuse, a failed door switch, or a broken drum belt.
The most common reasons your Whirlpool dryer takes 3 cycles to dry are an open heating element, a clogged vent tube, or a faulty thermal fuse.
The most common reasons your Whirlpool dryer stopped working are an open heating element, faulty thermal fuse or a worn drum bearing.