Read garment care tags carefully before treating a stained blazer. Image Credit: Hemera Technologies/PhotoObjects.net/Getty Images
Remove a stain from a blazer successfully and you have a still-wearable blazer instead of a ruined garment that ends up in the rag bag. The methods for removing the stain depend on fabric type and the severity and type of the stain. If your blazer is constructed of a washable fabric such as cotton, polyester, nylon or acrylic, you may be able to remove the stains at home. If it is made of fabrics such as wool, rayon, silk or linen, stain removal may require the services of a professional dry cleaner. To be sure, read the garment care label before you attempt to remove the stains.
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Things You’ll Need
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Table knife or old credit card
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Heavy-duty laundry detergent or enzymatic laundry detergent
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Ammonia
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Liquid dish detergent
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Distilled vinegar
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Enzymatic laundry detergent
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Aerosol-type pretreatment stain remover
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Heavy-duty liquid laundry detergent
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Color-safe oxygenated bleach
Protein, Ink and Dye Stains
Step 1
Use a dull table knife or the edge of a credit card to scrape any remaining solid residue from the stained blazer.
Step 2
Combine one-half teaspoon of heavy-duty laundry detergent and one tablespoon of ammonia with one quart of lukewarm water. Alternatively, use an enzymatic product according to the directions on the label.
Step 3
Soak the blazer for 15 to 20 minutes. If you use an enzymatic product, soak the garment for up to 30 minutes.
Step 4
Loosen the stain by rubbing the area with your fingers, working on the wrong side of the fabric. Don’t rub too hard, because you may remove the color or damage the fabric.
Step 5
Soak the stain for an additional 15 minutes. If the stain is old and set-in, soak the blazer for several hours.
Step 6
Wash and dry the blazer according to the directions on the care label, if the stain is no longer visible. If the stain is still present, repeat the steps.
Beverage, Liquid and Fruit
Step 1
Stir two teaspoons of liquid dish detergent and one tablespoon of distilled vinegar into one quart of lukewarm water.
Step 2
Soak the stained blazer in the solution for 15 to 20 minutes.
Step 3
Rinse the stained area thoroughly with lukewarm water.
Step 4
Transfer the stained blazer to a mixture of one quart of lukewarm water mixed with one tablespoon of enzymatic laundry detergent. Soak for up to 30 minutes.
Step 5
Wash and dry the blazer according to the instructions on the garment care tag.
Oil and Grease Stains
Step 1
Saturate oil stains with an aerosol-type pretreatment stain remover. Allow the stain remover to penetrate the stain for one to two minutes.
Step 2
Follow up by rubbing the stain with heavy-duty liquid laundry detergent.
Step 3
Wash the blazer immediately. If the stain remains, launder the garment again, using a color-safe, oxygenated bleach. Dry the garment according to the care label, if the stain is no longer visible.
Tip
Protein, ink and dye stains include stains made by substances such as baby formula, egg whites, feces, urine, vomit, glue, antiperspirant and aftershave lotion.
Beverage, fruit and liquid stains include stains caused by substances such as coffee, tea, beer, soft drinks, fruit juice, jam, jelly, molasses, water-based makeup and mud.
Oil and grease stains include stains caused by dairy products, chocolate, gravy, lard, mayonnaise, salad dressing, vegetable oil, egg yolk, lotion, oil-based cosmetics, hand lotion, ointment, shoe polish, tar and shoe polish.
Red dye and red ink stains may be removed by soaking in a solution of one tablespoon white vinegar and one quart of warm water.
