Removing Stains from Wool

Dirt and grime set into woolen fabrics faster than they do on any other fabrics. Woolen carpets are also susceptible to stains and spills. Before throwing out your wool socks, sweaters, skirts, or pants, consider trying some of the following stain removing processes.

It is crucial to deal with stains quickly to prevent them from setting into the woolen fibers. Try everything you can before you press your wool garments, because heat makes stains permanent. Before trying any solution, test it in the seam allowance of the garment to make sure it doesn't remove the dye. Some of the different methods of stain removal from the woolen fabrics are described below.

Chocolate

Winter means parties, and parties mean food spills on your garments and carpet. Chocolate is the most common culprit of staining your favorite wool clothes and your carpets.

To begin, scoop off any excess chocolate with a blunt knife or spoon. Then, make a solution of equal parts soft wool detergent and white vinegar. Add the solution to one liter of warm water. Next, soak a small piece of cloth in the solution and blot it on the stains. To prevent it from spreading, blot from the outside of the stain in.

You can also remove chocolate stains by blotting with such materials as mineral turpentine and dry-cleaning fluid.

Gravy/Sauce and Fruit Juice

In order to remove stains caused by gravy, sauces, or fruit juice, simply blot up the excess with some dry absorbent cloths, tissues, or colorless paper towels. Then, soak a piece of soft cloth in lukewarm water and dab the stain, working in an inward direction so that the mark does not spread. Blotting with lukewarm water will remove most of the stain. Press paper towels, tissues or dry absorbent cloths on the treated area to get rid of the excess moisture.

Burn or Scorch Marks

With the help of a firm brush, shake off the burn or scorch marks. Next, make a solution of hydrogen peroxide and cold water in a one-to-ten ratio. Then, soak a piece of cloth in the solution and sweep it over the scorch mark in a blotting motion. Stroke the stain inward in order to prevent it from spreading further.

Beer, White Wine, Ice Cream, Urine, Vomit

In case of the spillage of beer, white whine, ice cream, urine, or vomit, you have to first blot it up using tissues, paper towels, or dry absorbent cloths, applying a little pressure. Make a solution of wool detergent and white vinegar in a 1:1 proportion and dilute the whole thing in one liter of lukewarm water. Soak a little piece of cloth in the solution and lightly blot the stain mark starting from the edge and moving toward the center of the stain. This motion will help to prevent further spread of the mark. Use only a small amount of solution at a time.

Butter, Cooking Oils, Furniture Polishes, Oil, Grease, and Shoe Polish

If the stains caused by any of the above items dry up before you can treat them, first scoop any excess mess off with the help of a blunt instrument. Remove the stain by brushing it with a piece of cloth soaked in a dry-cleaning fluid. If dry-cleaning fluid fails, repeat the same process with lighter fuel or mineral turpentine. Make sure that the whole process is carried out in a well-ventilated area.

Paint, Dyes, Make-Up Materials

The stains created on woolen garments by cosmetic products like nail polish and mascara, or resulting from permanent markers and dye, are quite stubborn. In such cases you should take your wool clothing to the dry cleaner as soon as possible. If you have makeup, permanent ink, or dye stains in your wool carpet, consult a professional carpet cleaner.