Free Your Calico from Foundation Stains with These Cleaning Tips
Calico fabric is a beloved choice for clothing, upholstery, and other items due to its soft texture and unique patterns. But one of calico's biggest drawbacks is that it can easily be stained by foundation makeup, leaving unsightly marks if it isn't properly cared for. Luckily, with a bit of know-how and the right cleaning materials, you can restore your calico fabric to its original, beautiful condition.
Updated 25 Jun 2023
By Peter Blackwood
What You Need
- Washing machine
- Laundry detergent
- Baking soda
- Oxygen bleach
- White vinegar
Step 1: Soak the Fabric in Cold Water
To prevent the foundation stain from setting into the fabric, you'll need to soak item in cold water immediately once stain is noticed. The cold water helps to stop color pigments and oils from the foundation from penetrating deeper into the fabric and sets up the first step of getting rid of the stain.
Step 2: Pre-Treat with Laundry Detergent
Once the fabric has been soaked, you'll need to pre-treat the stain with a laundry detergent. If fabric is white, you can use a chlorine bleach, but if it's a colored fabric, you should use a detergent that is free of bleach. Be sure to work the detergent into fabric fibers, so that stain can be more easily removed.
Step 3: Launder in Warm Water
Put the fabric into the washing machine on a warm cycle. Before you start the machine, add a few tablespoons of baking soda to the detergent. Baking soda helps to lift the oils from the foundation out of the fabric, which will make it easier to remove the stain.
Step 4: Rinse with Oxygen Bleach
If the foundation stain is still present after laundering, you'll need to do an extra rinse with an oxygen bleach. Fill a separate washbasin with warm water and add a cup of oxygen bleach. Soak the fabric in the solution for about 30 minutes, then rinse it in the washing machine until the water runs clear.
Step 5: Treat with White Vinegar
The last step for removing foundation stains from calico fabric is to apply white vinegar to the fabric. This helps to break down the oil-based products that may still be lingering on the fabric. Use a spray bottle to slightly dampen the fabric with white vinegar, then let it air dry outdoors.
Conclusion
When it comes to removing foundation stains from calico fabric, it's important to act quickly and follow the steps outlined above. With a bit of know-how and the right cleaning materials, you can restore your calico fabric to its original, beautiful condition and keep it looking its best for years to come.
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