With prolonged wear and improper care, clothes can develop a shiny appearance. These unsightly glossy stains are most commonly found on cuffs, elbows, pockets, and collars. Don’t rush to discard such clothes! You can restore the original look of your favorite jacket or coat even at home. So, how do you remove shiny stains from clothing?
- Ammonia Solution: One way to remove shiny stains is by using ammonia. Mix 2 tablespoons of ammonia with a liter of water. Dip a small piece of soft cloth into the solution and rub the shiny spots on the clothing.
- Benzine: Benzine is another effective way to eliminate shine. Dampen a woolen cloth with benzine and rub it over the problem area. Afterward, make a solution of sodium thiosulfate (half a teaspoon per half-liter of water) and treat the area. Rinse with warm water afterward. If you don’t have sodium thiosulfate on hand, substitute it with ammonia. Dampen a brush with ammonia and scrub the stain, then iron the area through a piece of gauze. To eliminate the benzine smell, leave the item in open air for about 5 hours.
- Salt and Ammonia: Here’s another universal recipe against unwanted shine. Mix table salt without additives with ammonia in a 15:1 ratio. Rub the resulting mixture onto the stains and let the clothing air-dry outside.
- For Woolen Items: Sprinkle the shiny area with fine table salt and rub well with a dry sponge. Shake off the salt and brush the garment. For large problematic areas, it’s recommended to dampen them with benzine or a mixture of ammonia and hot water (1:1). Then, apply a thick layer of clean sand, rubbing it in all directions, and shake it off afterward.
- Black and Dark Brown Clothing: You can clean dark-colored items with a stiff brush dipped in hot coffee. This will not only help remove the shine but also give the garment a pleasant coffee aroma.
- Pumice Stone: Rough fabrics can also be treated with pumice stone, a volcanic porous glass often used at home for removing rough skin on feet. Rub the shiny area of the clothing with pumice until the shine disappears. Be careful not to rub too hard to avoid making a hole in the fabric.
- For Light-colored Items: Try restoring the original appearance of light-colored fabrics with hydrogen peroxide and ammonia. Mix 1/2 cup of cold water with a teaspoon of 3% hydrogen peroxide and 3-5 drops of ammonia. Apply the mixture to the problem area, then wash the item.
- Soapy Solution for Iron Scorch Marks: If the shiny stains resulted from improper ironing, try using a soapy solution. Dissolve a small amount of regular soap in a cup of water. Moisten a clean piece of gauze in the solution, wring it out, and iron the fabric through it. If your iron has a steaming function, fill it with water mixed with a little vinegar and iron the affected area with steam. Additionally, iron scorch marks can be removed by soaking them in onion juice for 10 minutes and then rinsing the item in cold water.
Before using any of these methods, always test on an inconspicuous area of the fabric to ensure it doesn’t bleed or discolor. To avoid future problems with shiny stains, follow the care instructions for your clothing, try ironing items inside out or through damp gauze, and regularly clean your clothes.