Summer Fun: How to Effectively Remove Those Stubborn Summer Stains

Summer is the season of sun-kissed memories, outdoor adventures, and... stubborn stains? Yep, you know the ones. Those pesky grass, mud, and BBQ sauce stains appear out of nowhere and refuse to budge. Then you’re frantically scrubbing away at a stubborn stain that turns into a faded, worn-out spot visible to all to see!

But with the right techniques, you can say goodbye to the stain for good! Luckily, our experts at Direct Appliance know a trick or two to help!

What’s Your Stain

• Sunscreen
• BBQ Sauce
• Sweat
• Mud
• Ice Cream
• Watermelon
• Bug Stains

Sunscreen Slip-Ups

Protection from the sun is a must, but sunscreen stains on our clothes are a major bummer! These stains often oily and stubborn, require specific treatment to ensure they don't ruin your favorite outfits.

1. Pre-treat the stain with a stain remover or rubbing alcohol. Use around a tablespoon of rubbing alcohol for this step.
2. Apply the rubbing alcohol directly to the stain using a clean cloth or cotton ball, gently dabbing it onto the fabric. Be sure to test on a small, inconspicuous area first to ensure it doesn’t cause discoloration, especially on dark or colored fabrics.
3. Let the rubbing alcohol sit on the stain for 5 to 10 minutes to allow it time to break down the oils in the sunscreen.
4. Rinse the treated area with cold water to remove the excess solution and any loosened stain particles. Avoid using hot water at this stage as it can set the stain.
5. Wash the garment in hot water using a heavy-duty cycle and a laundry detergent that contains enzymes.

Pro Tip:
If rubbing alcohol isn’t suitable, use a mixture of 1 tbsp dish soap with two cups of cool water and gently rub into the stain and let sit for 10 minutes, then rinse with cold water!

Don’t Sauce Me

Summer vibes and BBQs go hand in hand, but it can feel tragic when that delicious sauce drips onto your clothes — especially if they’re white! Unfortunately, BBQ sauce can be a pain to remove, but if you act fast with these tips, you can save yourself the headache!

1. Act fast — as soon as the BBQ sauce hits, gently blot the stain with a clean cloth or paper towel to remove excess sauce. Avoid rubbing, as this can spread the stain further into the fabric.
2. Pre-treat the stain with a stain remover or a mixture of one tablespoon of dish soap with two cups of cool water.
3. Apply the solution directly to the stain using a clean cloth, ensuring it covers the entire area. Gently rub it in.
4. Allow the solution to sit for 10 to 15 minutes. This gives the stain remover time to break down the oils and pigments in the BBQ sauce.
5. Rinse the garment with cold water, running it through the back of the stain to push it out of the fabric.
6. Soak the garment in cold water for several hours or overnight. This helps to further loosen the stain.
7. Wash the garment in the hottest water safe for the fabric, preferably with enzyme-detergent. Repeat the wash cycle if necessary, or until the stain is gone.

Sweat Spot

While longer days and higher temps are summer staples, all that heat and humidity can be too much to bear — and the sweat stains prove it! However, with these steps, you’ll be sitting pretty in no time!

1. Pre-treat with a mixture of baking soda and water. Combine 4 tablespoons of baking soda with a quarter cup of warm water to create a paste.
2. Apply the paste directly to the stain and gently rub it in using a toothbrush or your fingers.
3. Let the paste sit for at least 30 minutes to an hour to allow it to absorb and break down the sweat.
4. Rinse the treated area with cold water to remove the paste and any loosened stain particles.
5. Wash the garment in hot water using a heavy-duty cycle and a laundry detergent that contains enzymes. Make sure the garment can handle hot water — always check the care tag!

Pro Tip:
For tougher stains, consider soaking the garment in a mixture of one part white vinegar and two parts water for 30 minutes before applying the baking soda paste!

What Are You Mud About

You might think that summer means dry dirt, but between watered lawns, pools, and sprinkler fun, mud is still a reality. And when it hits your clothes, sometimes there’s no helping them — unless you take action!

1. Let the mud dry completely before attempting to remove it. Trying to clean wet mud can spread the stain and embed it further into the fabric.
2. Use a soft-bristled brush or a dull knife to gently scrape off as much dried mud as possible. Be careful not to push the mud deeper into the fabric.
3. Apply a stain remover or liquid laundry detergent directly to the stain. If you are using powdered detergent, mix it with a little water to create a paste.
4. Allow the pre-treatment solution to sit on the stain for 10 to 15 minutes to penetrate and break down the mud.
5. Using a soft-bristled brush or a clean cloth, gently rub the stained area to further loosen the mud.
6. Rinse the treated area with cold water to remove excess solution and any loosened stain particles.
7. Wash the garment in cold water using a gentle cycle. Never use hot water — it can set any remaining stain!

Pro Tip:
Make sure the stain is completely gone before drying as the heat from the dryer can set the stain permanently!

Frozen Faux Pas

Frozen treats and the summer heat go hand in hand, or sometimes hand-to-clothes! But whether you’re worried about popsicles or ice cream dribbling from your kids' ever-so-sticky hands onto their nice summer outfits, don’t worry; you have the secret!

1. Pre-treat the stain as soon as possible by rinsing it under cold water to remove as much of the excess popsicle or ice cream as you can.
2. Mix one teaspoon of liquid dish soap with two cups of cold water or use a mixture of one tablespoon of white vinegar with two cups of cold water.
3. Apply your chosen solution directly to the stain and gently rub it in using a clean cloth or a soft brush.
4. Allow the solution to sit on the stain for 5 to 10 minutes to penetrate and break down the sugars and dyes.
5. Rinse the treated area with cold water to remove the cleaning solution and loosened stain particles.
6. Wash the garment in cold water using a gentle cycle. Cold water is essential to prevent the stain from setting in further.

Melon Mishap

Is it summer without the fresh taste of watermelon? We don’t think so, but we know sometimes this fresh treat can leave deep stains, so to prevent that, we recommend you try these tips.

1. Pre-treat with a stain remover or a mixture of one-part white vinegar and two parts cold water.
2. Apply a small amount of solution (about one teaspoon) directly to the stain and gently rub it in.
3. Let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes to allow the acid in the vinegar to break down the stain.
4. Rinse with cold water to remove excess solution.
5. Wash in cold water using a gentle cycle.

Bugged Out

Outdoor adventures on ATVs or dirt bikes are a riot, but when you go at high speeds, you encounter a big problem: bug splatter! Just as bugs can pepper your car’s windshield, they can stain your clothes. So, remember to follow these steps when you get back home!

1. Pre-treat the stain with a stain remover or rubbing alcohol. Apply about a tablespoon of rubbing alcohol directly to the stain using a clean cloth or cotton ball.
2. Gently rub the solution into the stain to help break down the bug residue.
3. Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes to allow the solution to penetrate the stain.
4. Rinse the treated area with cold water to remove the excess solution and any loosened stain particles.
5. Wash the garment in cold water using a heavy-duty cycle.

Pro Tip:
To avoid discoloration on darker fabrics, use a mixture of one tablespoon dish soap and two cups of cool water and then apply it to the stain.

Sun, Fun, and Stain-Free

So, if you don’t have sophisticated laundry machines already in your home, or you’re tired of your current ones not passing muster, it sounds like you need an upgrade from Direct Appliance! We have all the top brands with the latest features, so you can spend less time worrying about stains and your ever-increasing laundry pile and more time for yourself!

And if you have any questions about which machines are best, leave it to our experts — just call or stop by!