Get Rid of Summer Stains for Good

The following post was created in collaboration with Procter & Gamble.

Summer is here and it’s time to entertain outdoors! Fire up the grill and get ready to enjoy the mouthwatering smoky, charred flavors it adds to almost any food; however, it can get a little messy!

Whether you’re marinating meat in an oily dressing, slathering Two Brothers barbeque sauce on a rack of ribs, or accidentally spilling a swig of red wine, there are plenty of ways to stain your clothes when preparing or enjoying food this summer.

Don’t let the fear of a mess keep you from everything this summer has to offer! Instead, check out our tried-and-true tips for fighting common summer stains and stock your laundry room with the best liquid, powder and pod detergents, beads, fabric softeners and dryer sheets from Procter & Gamble. When used together, they are guaranteed to keep your clothes looking and feeling clean, vibrant and soft!

The 5 Steps to Proper Stain Fighting

Not all stains are created equal, but thankfully most stain removal processes are very similar. Whether you’re fighting a stain from oil, condiments or wine, these tips will save your favorite summer clothes.

1. Remove the Excess Stain
Use a paper towel, a fork or brush to get rid of as much of the stain as possible on the garment. This is particularly important for stains that have already dried. To prevent stains from setting in, remember to soak the garment in cold water as soon as the excess stain is removed.

2. Pre-Treat Stains
It’s important to know the type of stain you are dealing with, because each requires a different pretreatment method:

• Greasy or Oily Stains: Presoak in a soaking solution of detergent and warm water or pretreat them with dish detergent.
• Bleachable Stains: Presoak and wash with powder detergent.

When it comes to removing stains, it’s usually best to use cold water if you’re not sure about the stain type. However, for greasy stains, use warm water.

3. Add Detergent
Measure the correct amount of detergent or grab the correct number of detergent pods according to the product labels and your load size.

4. Wash your Garments
Choose the most appropriate wash temperature and cycle setting according to the instructions given by the garment’s fabric-care label.

5. Check the Garments before Drying
Don’t put the clothes into the dryer until the stain is completely removed, as drying will set the stain.

There you have it! These five simple steps are all it takes to save your summer wardrobe from the most common grilling stains. Next time you pick up your favorite grilling essentials at Heinen’s, be sure to visit the laundry aisle and stock up on your favorite Procter & Gamble detergents and fabric enhancers. You’ll be all set for a summer full of great food and clean clothes. Pass the ketchup, please!