How to Keep Your Cocktail Dress Clean After an Unfortunate Accident
Accidents happen, and it’s hard to stay clean when they do. But with careful cleaning, you can remove fecal stains from a cocktail dress without any lasting damage.
Updated 08 Mar 2023
By Isabelle Trottier
Before You Start Cleaning Your Dress
- Put on latex or rubber gloves so you don’t come into contact with the waste.
- Check any labels on the inside of the dress to see what type of fabric it is made of. This will help you know how to proceed safely.
- If possible, soak up as much of the stain as you can with dry paper towels.
Cleaning Feces Stains from Cocktail Dresses
- Create a cleaning solution with a few squirts of dish detergent, a tablespoon each of white vinegar and baking soda, and some warm water. Stir in just enough water to create a thick paste.
- Apply the paste to the stain and allow it to sit for 10-15 minutes.
- Use a cloth dampened with warm water to scrub the affected area gently. Rinse with warm water and repeat if necessary.
- If the stain remains, create a new solution of 1 quart of water, 1/4 cup of bleach, and 1 teaspoon of non-bleach laundry detergent. Apply the solution to the area and use a clean cloth to rub the affected area gently.
- Rinse with cool water and hang your dress to dry.
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