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General Science => General Science => Topic started by: DoctorBeaver on 04/05/2007 13:04:32

Title: Why are stains caused by coffee or red wine so difficult to remove?
Post by: DoctorBeaver on 04/05/2007 13:04:32
Why are coffee & red wine stains so hard to get rid of?

Also, do you know any good tricks for getting rid of stains?
Title: Re: Why are stains caused by coffee or red wine so difficult to remove?
Post by: Bass on 04/05/2007 17:16:32
Fire works well...

but may create adverse consequences
Title: Re: Why are stains caused by coffee or red wine so difficult to remove?
Post by: another_someone on 04/05/2007 18:46:09
The classic answer for red wine I thought was white wine.  Not sure about the coffee.
Title: Re: Why are stains caused by coffee or red wine so difficult to remove?
Post by: Bass on 04/05/2007 19:03:36
I'm fumblehanded enough with my morning coffee that my wife made up a special solution of water, mild dishwashing detergent and white vinegar (1/4 part) that seems to work well on cloth and carpet.
The secret is to blot, don't rub, the stain.
Title: Re: Why are stains caused by coffee or red wine so difficult to remove?
Post by: Ben6789 on 04/05/2007 19:27:42
I learned that in Home Ec.!
Title: Re: Why are stains caused by coffee or red wine so difficult to remove?
Post by: JimBob on 04/05/2007 20:37:56
Ech ?
Title: Re: Why are stains caused by coffee or red wine so difficult to remove?
Post by: moonfire on 05/05/2007 05:13:07
Water immediately upon coffee right after it spills!  If it spills upon white cotton, then buy a clorox bleach pen...works miracles!

There was another product that was fabulous even after these type of stains including, mustard, grass, blood, and tea.  I will think of it and add it here when I do.
Title: Re: Why are stains caused by coffee or red wine so difficult to remove?
Post by: moonfire on 05/05/2007 07:58:17
didi seven! 
Title: Re: Why are stains caused by coffee or red wine so difficult to remove?
Post by: DoctorBeaver on 07/05/2007 15:16:37
There was another product that was fabulous even after these type of stains including, mustard, grass, blood, and tea.  I will think of it and add it here when I do.

I looked at that quickly & I thought you'd put "mustard gas"!  [:D]
Title: Re: Why are stains caused by coffee or red wine so difficult to remove?
Post by: Bored chemist on 07/05/2007 17:00:09
IIRC bleach was used for decontaminating things exposed to "mustard gas" (It's actually a liquid).
Water is a very useful way to rinse stuff away before it has a chance to stick to the cloth and stain it. I find sodium bisulphite does a great job of removing red wine satins. I usually have some about the place because I used to do my own brewing (The bisulphite is used for sterilising bottles and such).
Title: Re: Why are stains caused by coffee or red wine so difficult to remove?
Post by: neowakit on 28/11/2009 20:05:58
Red wine is an easier stain to remove because it is a water soluble stain that when set into the fabric can be removed. The deep red color causes the stain to stand out more, and if the detergent works well, it will either fade or dissapear.
Title: Re: Why are stains caused by coffee or red wine so difficult to remove?
Post by: Karen W. on 28/11/2009 20:12:56
For mechanics grease or car and engine grease rub shortening into the stain then take a smooth plastic frosting spreader stiff or a butter knife and scrape the grease up with the excess shortening and repeat if needed until stain disappears then wash with highest temperature safe for fabric.. works wonderfully.. my moms old laundry trick...
Title: Re: Why are stains caused by coffee or red wine so difficult to remove?
Post by: graham.d on 28/11/2009 21:22:38
I was told that immediate application of common salt on red wine was the right thing to do. I tried it on a carpet and it worked but then I didn't try not doing it by way of comparison.
Title: Why are stains caused by coffee or red wine so difficult to remove?
Post by: Karsten on 29/11/2009 13:51:18
Why are coffee & red wine stains so hard to get rid of?

Also, do you know any good tricks for getting rid of stains?

Scissors.
Title: Why are stains caused by coffee or red wine so difficult to remove?
Post by: sadarian on 29/11/2009 19:14:33
can't answer either of your questions, but I will add thar your own saliva will help remove any blood stains.  It works best if its your saliva on your blood, doesn't work so well on others...you should also probably refrain from spitting on someone else if they have a stain!
Title: Why are stains caused by coffee or red wine so difficult to remove?
Post by: Karen W. on 29/11/2009 20:17:20
Plain hydrogen Peroxide removes Blood stains easily.. I have used it for years.. soak the stain in the peroxide and it will bubble like crazy lifting out the blood.. it works well on most all protein stains and a friend at the hospital told me this years ago and low and behold it works very well. I have not lost a single item to bloodstain since..
My son was viciously attacked by a dog who tore the hell out of his arm.. the blood was everywhere.. his shirt was drenched.. they through his shirt in a bag at the hospital and it got left in my trunk for a couple weeks before I remembered it it was well dried and set in as it was summer and the trunk had been quite hot..

I took the shirt in and bought three big economy size bottles of peroxide and dropped in his very colorful blue shirt and allowed it to begin soaking the results began before my eyes bubbling and lifting the protein from the shirt.. It was crazy quick!
I I always rub the clothing together if there are any remnants of blood then I rinse it if necessary, I pour a tad more onto the stain and rub and rinse with the peroxide... works great!
Title: Why are stains caused by coffee or red wine so difficult to remove?
Post by: Madidus_Scientia on 30/11/2009 00:59:06
can't answer either of your questions, but I will add thar your own saliva will help remove any blood stains.  It works best if its your saliva on your blood, doesn't work so well on others...you should also probably refrain from spitting on someone else if they have a stain!

Why won't someone elses saliva remove your own blood?
Title: Why are stains caused by coffee or red wine so difficult to remove?
Post by: sadarian on 30/11/2009 02:29:50
  Why won't someone elses saliva remove your own blood?

If I remember correctly it works, but not as well because your saliva has specific enzymes that break down your blood better than someone elses would.  Additionally, this is why animals lick their wounds..their saliva helps to eat away the scab more quickly than water will. 
Title: Why are stains caused by coffee or red wine so difficult to remove?
Post by: sadarian on 30/11/2009 02:32:32
Plain hydrogen Peroxide removes Blood stains easily.. I have used it for years.. soak the stain in the peroxide and it will bubble like crazy lifting out the blood.. it works well on most all protein stains and a friend at the hospital told me this years ago and low and behold it works very well. I have not lost a single item to bloodstain since..
My son was viciously attacked by a dog who tore the hell out of his arm.. the blood was everywhere.. his shirt was drenched.. they through his shirt in a bag at the hospital and it got left in my trunk for a couple weeks before I remembered it it was well dried and set in as it was summer and the trunk had been quite hot..

I took the shirt in and bought three big economy size bottles of peroxide and dropped in his very colorful blue shirt and allowed it to begin soaking the results began before my eyes bubbling and lifting the protein from the shirt.. It was crazy quick!
I I always rub the clothing together if there are any remnants of blood then I rinse it if necessary, I pour a tad more onto the stain and rub and rinse with the peroxide... works great!

I've tried peroxide as well, and you're right it works great!  btw, obviously the shirt is ok, but how's your son's arm?!
Title: Why are stains caused by coffee or red wine so difficult to remove?
Post by: Karen W. on 30/11/2009 12:14:38
Healed and well its been a few years..