How to Remove Resin Stains from Your Clothes Without Damaging Them
Resin stains usually appear on clothes after a day outdoors, as this is a substance that’a released from certain plants. It’s a defense mechanism against insects and microorganisms.
Now, although at first glance it may seem impossible for the garment to look good again, there are some tricks that you can apply to recover it. So, in this article, we’ll take a look at how to remove resin stains from clothes without damaging the fabrics.
Resin is a very sticky substance. To remove it, it’s essential that you act as soon as you get home. The more time passes, the more it penetrates the fabrics. Also, arm yourself with patience because some of these tips that we will share with you require a series of steps.
Precautions before starting
Before explaining the different ways that exist to remove this stain in detail, we want to review some issues that will help you keep your clothes in tip-top shape. After all, it’d be useless to have removed the stain if the garment has been left in bad condition as a result of the processes applied.
Our first warning is that you should try to use natural and homemade products. This is because artificial chemicals could damage the garment during the treatment.
Next, you have to determine the material: cotton, silk, wool, or synthetic. Each of these fabrics takes different approaches and special care. The best thing to do is to read the garment label.
When you detect the stain, don’t try to remove it with a damp cloth and soap because the result will be worse. The stain will penetrate even further into the fabrics.
Start the cleaning process as soon as you get home. The resin will solidify and will look more and more like glue, which will give you more work.
Don’t forget to work with gloves to protect your hands.
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Ways to remove resin from clothing with heat
Heat is one of the ways to remove this stain and is most effective if the resin is still fresh. Apply heat using a hair dryer at a distance of 20 cm and try to move the dryer in a circular motion so as not to burn the garment or spread the stain.
When you notice that the resin has softened, use a damp sponge or cloth to remove the resin without rubbing. Repeat this process until the resin disappears and only the stain remains. Then, place the garment in the washing machine.
Another method that we will include at this point is the use of hot water. In this case, soak the stained part of the garment in hot water for a few minutes until the resin is soft. Before the water cools, remove the garment and rub the area with a soft bristle brush or sponge.
Ways to remove resin from clothing with cold
It’s best to use this method if the resin has already dried. To do this, place the garment in the freezer to allow the stain to solidify.
Then, remove it with a brush or spatula. If the garment in question is delicate, however, we don’t recommend this method.
You can also apply an ice cube to the stain until it breaks. Remember that no matter how much you remove the resin, the stain will persist, so you have to wash the garment by hand or in the washing machine.
Other ways to remove resin stains from clothes
Next, we’ll take a look at some other ways to remove this stain with natural and chemical products.
Egg white
Egg white is recommended for removing stains from delicate garments, such as silk or wool. Place the egg white on the stain and let it act for a few minutes. Then, wash as usual.
Baking soda
If the stained garment is light-colored, this technique may work well. Mix a splash of warm water with baking soda to form a paste.
Apply to the stain and let the baking soda work for at least an hour. Then, wash the garment as usual.
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Olive oil
If you opt for this method, be very careful when you go to apply the olive oil to the tarnish. If it seeps into clean parts of the garment, it will be difficult to remove later.
Place a small amount of oil on the stain and let it take effect. After a few minutes, remove the resin with a spatula and proceed to wash it. If you would like, you can rub with a cloth with soap and water on the stain before washing.
Acetone
In this case, we’re already talking about a rather aggressive chemical product, which could damage the clothes, especially if they are of intense colors or delicate. Put acetone on a cotton pad and apply it to the resin stain with small pressures. Then, wash the garment as usual.
Alcohol
As with acetone, we are talking about an aggressive chemical, although this is one of the most effective methods. The first thing to keep in mind is that you should use it on light-colored garments that don’t fade. Moisten a cotton ball with alcohol and press on the resin until it’s removed.
With patience, you can remove resin stains from clothes
We hope you can apply some of these methods to remove resin stains from your clothes. Always take into account the type of fabric before choosing one or the other.
After all, a pair of jeans isn’t the same as a silk blouse or a wool sweater. Each one will have its own special care. If in doubt, try the method on a part of the garment that isn’t visible to test it out and see how the fabric reacts.
All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.
- LAGO, J., FERNÁNDEZ, J., & DÍAZ, D. (2005). minimización de los residuos provenientes de la regeneración de las Resinas de las Plantas Desmineralizadoras del crp-amuay. Revista de la Facultad de Ingeniería Universidad Central de Venezuela, 20(4), 43-54.
- Hernández, R., & Jordá, M. G. (1981). Plantas medicinales. Editorial Pax México.
- López-Rodríguez, M., & MARTÍN-MARTÍN, C. (1996). Historiografía de plantas con esencias y resinas de uso en veterinaria (s. XVI-XIX). Ars Pharmaceutica (Internet), 37(2), 261-292.
- Altamirano Tene, M. P., & Pauta Coello, D. C. (2017). Experimentación y sistematización de procedimientos para eliminar diversas manchas de acuerdo al tipo de base textil(Bachelor’s thesis, Universidad del Azuay).
