Removing stains from business shirts
We at Amalfi Shirt have collated we what believe to be the most common business shirt stains you’ll need to remove (through some experience…) It’s a quick reference guide that you can keep handy which will hopefully save you some grief. We all know that alcohol can be the cause of many mishaps. While we are among the first to put up our hands and say there’s nothing wrong with enjoying a couple of end of work week heart starters, we just want you to look after your business shirts. So by all means go ahead and enjoy your Friday night drinks with the knowledge that Amalfi Shirts has your best interests at heart…
photo by paper or plastic
Wine
While wine can be great on the palate it’s one of the worst stains to remove from your business shirts as well as the one of the most visible if it’s red wine. Your best course of action with any wine spillage is to take action quickly. First off place a handful of salt onto the stain as it will absorb the colour, (salt should turn pink on red wine stain). Secondly, dab the stain area and apply a pre-soak stain remover as soon as you can. Next, soak your shirt overnight in cold water before washing your shirt according to the care instructions tag (usually found on the inside of your shirt). Another option which may aid stain removal is to use carbonated soda water to splash onto the affected area. Follow this up with washing your shirt according to the care instructions.
photo by old sarge
Beer
It’s probably no surprise that with the amount of beer consumed by Australian’s you are inevitably going to spill some beer on your business shirts, or someone else will… If you can be bothered and are in a capable mental state when you get home you should dissolve one part white vinegar with five parts of lukewarm water. Wait for the mixture to dissolve fully before applying gently with a sponge to the affected area of your business shirt and rinse out in cold water. Following this, proceed to soaking your business shirt in warm water with liquid detergent before washing according to the care instruction found inside your shirt or on the Amalfi Shirts website. All that’s left to do know is try and sleep off your imminent hangover.
photo by darwin bell
Chocolate
We at Amalfi Shirts appreciate that while your body is surely a temple or you might be on a self-imposed alcohol free day you may still want to simply celebrate life or toast to a successful day at work by indulging in one or 2 chocolates. Let’s face it if there’s a block of chocolate sitting on your coffee table you’re doing well to abstain. As with a lot of things a few chocolates may have tasted good at the time so you don’t want to have to be working it off at the gym as well as off your business shirt. If the latter is required however the first thing you must do is remove the excess mess by using something blunt (try a spoon not a knife…). Next try to rinse out as much as you can with cold water, before applying a pre-wash stain remover. Let it sit for a couple of minutes before rubbing the affected area gently with some liquid detergent and leave sitting again for another few minutes. Finally wash your business shirt according to its care instructions.
photo by virtualern
Grease
Maybe you were trying to do the manly thing and teach your girlfriend how to check her oil or you were mysteriously attacked by grease monkey stains…more commonly known as KFC or Red Rooster chips. Here’s how to be a man and clean your own shirt! Try to scrape off any excess grease before sprinkling some ye old talcum powder over the affected area which should absorb the oil. Allow about 15 mins for the powder to absorb before brushing the excess off the affected area and spraying with a stain remover. After letting it sit for another few minutes rub it off with laundry detergent before washing your business shirt (following its care instructions).
photo by jule_berlin
Chewing Gum
Cat Stevens sang about remembering the days of the old school year. Maybe can relive your old sporting memories of “chewy on your boot” which is fine and probably better than experiencing chewing gum on your Amalfi Shirt. If you’re more concerned about getting your business shirts back into mint condition as opposed to smelling like mint gum we have a few tricks that you may find useful. Firstly put some ice cubes into a plastic bag (so when they melt they don’t drip) and apply to the affected area. Secondly once hardened try to scrape the gum off with a blunt instrument (maybe a spoon). Next you need to apply your very best stain remover allowing it to absorb for a few minutes. Lastly, rub the affected area with a liquid detergent (alternatively dissolve washing powder in some hot water) and proceed to washing your Amalfi Shirt according to its care instructions.
photo by e299a5sage
Tomato Sauce
Whilst tomato sauce may be the perfect accompaniment to your meat pie or hamburger it really doesn’t go well with your Amalfi Shirt. As is the case with most of our first steps in stain removal get onto it quick is paramount. Dab off any excess sauce with a clean cloth before you rinse the affected area under cold running water. Next, soak your business shirt in warmish water and dab the area with a sponge as well as liquid detergent. Lastly wash according to the care instructions found on the inside of your business shirt.