Folks on the move TEND TO GET MESSY
Let’s face it. Stains are a natural part of the job. But that doesn’t mean they have to slow you down.
DIESEL FUEL First, hang the garment outside to avoid having the odors spread. If there’s a significant amount of fuel, hose the garment off, wring it out (wearing rubber gloves) and let it hang outside for at least 24 hours. Once the smell is gone, it’s safe to put it in the washing machine. Set the machine for the largest possible load, and use the hottest water the garment will tolerate. Add 1/4 cup of ammonia and a little extra laundry detergent, and wash as usual. Only after the smell or stain is completely gone is it safe to put the garment in the dryer.
OIL & GREASE There are a few approaches that work well for removing these stubborn stains. One solution is to coat the area with cornstarch, let it soak between 30 minutes and an hour, then launder with heavy-duty detergent. Another approach is to spray some WD-40 on the stain and let it sit for about 30 minutes. Then rub a little dish soap on the area and wash as normal. BLOOD If you have a bloodstain that’s only 10 to 15 minutes old, rinse it under a lot of cold water, rubbing the fabric against itself. Then wash as normal. If it’s an older stain, first drench it in cold water, then soak it in a bucket with water and an enzyme- based stain remover like OxiClean. COFFEE & SODA Presoak the garment in a solution of liquid laundry detergent and cool water (about 2 tablespoons of detergent to 1 gallon of water) for at least 30 minutes. Then launder in warm or hot water. After soaking for another 10 minutes or so, wash as normal in cold water.
TIP: You could also use 2 cups of vinegar to help eliminate the odor.
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