We all know the Fourth of July is full of hot dogs, S’mores, yard games, bonfires, and fireworks. What is July 5^th for? Cleaning up all the messes. Below is a guide to help you clean any stain you might get from your Independence Day celebration.

First check your clothing to see if they’re colorfast, because vinegar may damage clothing that’s not.  After treating the stain, launder as usual, but first, check to see if the stain is gone before you tumble dry or iron.

  

Grass

What you’ll need: Laundry Detergent and Rubbing Alcohol

1. Lather laundry detergent onto the stain
2. Rinse off
3. Saturate with rubbing alcohol
4. Let sit 10 min

Ketchup

What you’ll need: Butter Knife, Dish Soap, and White Vinegar

1. Scrape excess ketchup off with butter knife
2. Cover stain with equal amounts of dish soap and white vinegar
3. Soak in water for 10 min
4. Rub stain out

 

Wine

What you’ll need: Paper Towel, Baking Soda, and Club Soda

1. Lay stain on top of paper towel
2. Sprinkle baking soda over stain, pour club soda on top
3. Rub together to work stain out

 

Mustard

What you’ll need: Laundry Detergent and Stain Remover

1. Rinse stain from behind
2. Add laundry detergent
3. Let sit for 10 min
4. Apply stain remover
5. Repeat if necessary

 

Marshmallow

What you’ll need: Laundry Detergent

1. Soak the stain in water and detergent for 5-10 min
2. Wash in washing machine on highest temperature recommended on label

 

Chocolate

What you’ll need: Butter Knife, Club Soda, and Laundry Detergent

1. Scrape away excess chocolate
2. Flush the back of the stain with cold water
3. Saturate with club soda
4. Soak in laundry detergent and cold water for 15 min

 

Beer

What you’ll need: Water Tub, Laundry Detergent, White Vinegar, and Rubbing Alcohol

1. Soak for 15 min in mixture of one quart of lukewarm water, one-half teaspoon liquid hand dishwashing detergent, and one tablespoon white vinegar
2. Rinse
3. Sponge with rubbing alcohol
4. Soak for 30 min in one quart of warm water

 

Ashes

What you’ll need: Cold Water, Club Soda, Baking Soda, and a Sponge

1. Shake off ashes (don’t wipe off!)
2. Sprinkle baking soda onto stain
3. Allow to sit for one hour
4. Sponge water onto stain
5. Then dab with club soda for a few minutes
6. Rinse in cold water again

 

Barbecue Sauce

What you’ll need: Laundry Detergent and White Vinegar

1. Flush with cold water from back of stain
2. Cover with laundry detergent for several minutes
3. Rinse (Repeat steps 1-3 as necessary)
4. Treat with white vinegar

 

Dirt

What you’ll need: Laundry Detergent and Vacuum (optional)

1. Let the mud dry thoroughly to prevent smearing (Do not attempt to wipe off the mud! It will only smear the stain onto more of the clothing)
2. Shake or vacuum off the mud-stained area
3. Rub liquid detergent into the stain
4. Allow to soak for 15 min or until the stain no longer remains
5. Use a stain remover, let sit for 5 min

 

DIY Stain Remover

What you’ll need: Dish Soap, Peroxide, Baking Soda, and a Brush to scrub the stain.

1. Mix one part dish soap with two parts peroxide
2. Add 1-2 tablespoons of baking soda to make a thick paste

To use:

Apply to stain, use a brush to loosen, then let soak.

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