How do you get a tea stain out of something that's already gone through the washer dryer?

[randomness]

bedfull_o_books is upset about a tea stain in a blue shirt. Unfortunately, it's already been through the normal wash/dry cycle once without getting the stain out, so the stain has probably set.

Any ideas?

Comments

[adrian_turtle]

Tea is not a protein stain, so heat doesn't set it. The first wash removes the part of the stain that's easy to get out, and what's left is just the uncooperative part. Oxi-Clean removes a lot of stains, and it's safe for most colored clothing. If the cloth is sturdy (like oxford or denim), you can make the oxi-clean into a paste and rub it into the stain directly. Otherwise just soak it overnight.

[donnad.livejournal.com]

If it's been through the dryer it'll probably never come out since heat will set a stain. All I can say is wash wash wash, try a pretreater, but you are right it's probably set.

You could overdye the whole thing with tea.

[storyjen.livejournal.com]

Is it possible to make a bug into a feature? Cover the stain with an iron-on decoration or an applique or something like that?

[cubes.livejournal.com]

Try soaking in a mixture of Oxi-Clean powder & water, that sometimes rescues things when all else fails.

If not, you can also do some camouflage by dyeing (a darker color than the stain, or spatter/spray/tie-dye), if it's a natural fiber piece.

[karakara98.livejournal.com]

Yes, I agree that if you can't get it out, consider re-dying the whole thing.

[cerridwynn.livejournal.com]

I've had some luck rubbing oxi-clean right into the stain. And some failures too.

Good luck!

[jendaviswilson.livejournal.com]

Ditto. I have had various food stains go through the wash and then be rescued by an oxiclean soak. Tomato sauce is forever, though.

[sarakate.livejournal.com]

I have also had some really excellent results with the OxiClean gel stick product.