How to Remove Stains from White Lab Coats
Stains can be mayo from your sandwich or work-related stains. If you don’t see the stain listed, follow the stain removal tips for specific stains.Blood: Begin with a soak in COLD water. Hot water will set the blood stains and make them very hard to remove. Never use plain soap. Instead, after flushing as much of the blood as possible from the fabric fibers (use a steady stream of cold water through the fabric), rub in a bit of enzyme-based heavy duty laundry detergent into the stain. Let it sit for five or ten minutes and then wash as usual.
Vomit, Urine and Feces: Protein stains that should be treated first with COLD water. Remove any solid matter with a tongue depressor or edge of a disposable spoon or knife. Never rub with a cloth because that pushed the stain deeper in the fabric. Again, flush with a steady stream of cold water and treat with the heavy duty detergent before washing. Add ½ cup baking soda to the wash water to help reduce odor.
Ointment: Oil based stains require warm or hot water to remove. Remove any solids with a dull edge tool - no rubbing. Apply a bit of heavy duty detergent and let it work for five to ten minutes. Then wash in hot water.
Liquid Medications: It is the dye added to these meds that cause a problem. Mix a solution of oxygen-based bleach (OxiClean or Tide Oxi are brand names) and cool water. Submerge the stained coat and allow it to soak at least one hour - longer is better, up to eight hours. This will remove the dye and is safe for fabrics. Wash as usual.
Iodine: Begin by soaking the stain in warm water (about 90 degrees) with an enzyme-based detergent heavy duty detergent for about 20 minutes. Cold water is not effective in soaking the stain. Then wash as usual in warm water with detergent and oxygen-based bleach to remove the remaining discoloration.
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