Independence Day, better known as the Fourth of July, is one of the most exciting summer holidays in the U.S. In order to celebrate our incredible history, families and friends come together all over the nation for BBQs, parties and gatherings galore.
If you’re preparing a buffet of hot dogs, burgers and all of your favorite celebratory snacks, you should also get your stain removal kit at the ready, because it’s bound to be a messy affair!
As laundry experts, we’re here to make the clean-up job easier than ever before with our 4th of July stain guide—covering all of the usual suspects and how to remove them.
Let’s get scrubbing…
The Ultimate 4th of July Stain Guide
Meat Grease
If you’re not throwing a BBQ on the 4th of July, you’re bound to be attending one. If you know you (or your little ones!) are prone to spills, meat grease is one of the stains to get prepared for. It can be harder to remove than most marks and shows up on every color, so the faster you deal with it the better.
Take your regular dish soap and add a generous amount to the stain
Leave it to rest and work it’s magic for 10-15 minutes
Wash the garment on a cold cycle (or hand rinse if necessary)
Repeat and allow to air dry while you continue the fun!
Wine + Other Beverages
If you can’t enjoy a few adult beverages on Independence Day, when can you?! While wine is a popular choice for most households, it’s a devil to remove once spilled—especially on those precious summer whites. Here’s how to tackle red wine stains…
Saturate the area with distilled white vinegar, then rub in your usual liquid washing detergent
Once well-rubbed, rinse under hot water to lift the stain (the hotter the better!)
Ensure the garment is well-rinsed, then repeat if necessary
Ketchup + Mustard
Whether you’re partying with your neighbors or meeting up with old friends, you’re bound to face a hot dog or burger-related incident. After all, ketchup and mustard are absolute staples for any BBQ feast. If you or your little ones get a little grubbier than expected, here’s what you should do…
From the back of the stain, flush the garment with cold water under the tap
Use a liquid detergent or a DIY alternative and rub into the stain
Use a soft brush (or an old toothbrush) to gently work away the stain
Rinse, rinse and rinse again!
If the stain persists, soak the stain in distilled white vinegar and allow to sit
Wash the garment on its usual cycle, and repeat if necessary
Face Paint, Lipstick + Other Cosmetics
When you’re celebrating something as important as Independence Day, it’s important to look and feel your best. The problem is, face paint, lipstick and other cosmetic products can wreak havoc when it comes to laundry staining. Here’s how to keep your clothes looking pristine for next year’s celebrations…
Using an alcohol-based cleaner (rubbing alcohol or non-acetone nail polish remover will do the trick), saturate the stained area
Once it’s had a few moments to settle in, flush the stain under a cold tap
Use a laundry detergent to pre-treat the stain before washing on your usual cycle
Hang up to dry, and repeat if necessary
Glitter + Glue
Entertaining the kids during any kind of festivities can be difficult, especially if you want to keep your home and clothes free from any staining. Arts and crafts supplies like glue and glitter have the power to cause some major damage, so follow these tips to avoid any long-term impact.
For dry glitter, brush off as much excess as possible and run clothes through a cold wash with your regular detergent
For wet glitter products and glues, soak the garment in cold water first and use a sponge to blot away the stain
If the glue remains, use an alcohol-based cleaner such as nail polish remover on a cotton swab and carefully rub away the remnants
Rinse thoroughly and wash garments on a warm cycle
Dirt + Grass
Summer presents some amazing opportunities for outdoor sports and play—especially when kicking off the 4th of July celebrations. Once all the fun is over, it’s time to start tackling those pesky grass and dirt stains from your go-to summer whites…
Combine half a cup of distilled white vinegar with half a cup of water in a bowl, then add a teaspoon of regular dish soap
Mix until bubbly and apply generously to the grass stain
Use an old toothbrush or clothing brush to gently work the mixture into the stain
Rinse with warm water and hang to dry in the breeze
Wash on a regular cycle with added distilled white vinegar if the staining persists
Wood Stains
If you’re hanging out on your fresh summer decking, chances are your clothes unintentionally pick up some of the dye. Once the BBQ is over and you’re all partied out, start working on your laundry right away to avoid any long-term damage…
Mix one tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide (for whites) with three tablespoons of warm water (use white vinegar instead for colored or dark fabrics)
Using a cotton swab, apply the mixture to the stained area and leave for 30 minutes
Using a sponge or cloth, gently blot away the mixture until the stain lifts
Rinse the mixture, and repeat until the stain has completely faded
Sunscreen
SPF is a must-have for hot summer days, especially if you’re spending large amounts of time outdoors at a BBQ with your nearest and dearest. Depending on the contents of your go-to sunscreen, it’s possible that your clothes could become stained if the two make contact. Here’s how to avoid any unnecessary damage…
Use a blunt knife to scrape off any residue from the sunscreen
Spot treat the area using your usual liquid laundry detergent
Flush with cold water and repeat several times
Machine wash on a high temperature (but make sure to read care labels first!)
That concludes our ultimate 4th of July stain removal guide! While most stains can be tackled at home, some garments are more likely to require a more advanced service such as dry cleaning or a professional treatment. At WaveMAX Thornton, our expert team will be around throughout the summer season to help you deal with stains and any other laundry needs.
Head to our website now for more information!
