How to Remove a Chili Stain from Clothes.
How to Remove a Chili Stain from Clothes.
ON FIRE! That’s my mouth at a chili cook off. Every chili I try seams to be hot than the one before and when I’m done my shirt has sampled more than I. How do I remove a chili stain?
Chili is a complex stain. There are as many different ingredients in chili as there are people in this world. Just look on Hormel’s website, Stagg’s website, or google chili ingredients to see a huge variety of recipes. So let’s break it down to the basics: water, protein of some sort (meat, beans), tomato, onion and spices, lots of spices.
It is always best to remove the stain as soon as it happens. While the stain is wet it is much easier to remove. The longer you wait the more difficult it will become and eventually the stain will set to become impossible to remove.
We are going to use a two step process to remove the chili stain.
First: Create a spotting solution with Seventh Generation Laundry Detergent, Heinz Distilled White Vinegar, and Water.
- Create a chili stain spotting solution of 1 part Seventh Generation Laundry Detergent, 5 parts Heinz Distilled White Vinegar, and 5 parts water.
- Apply this chili stain solution directly to the chili stain.
- Tamp the chili stain with a brush.
- Let the chili stain solution penetrate the chili stain for a few minutes.
- Apply clean water to a white towel and blot the chili stained area followed by a dry towel.
Second: Apply an Enzyme Stain Remover such as BioKleen’s Bac-Out or Earth Friendly Product’s Everyday Stain & Odor Remover.
- Apply the Enzyme Stain Remover directly to the chili stain. Or for a large chili stained area soak the entire garment in the Enzyme Stain Remover
- Let the enzyme stain remove rest or soak for several hours or overnight.
- Blot area with a wet white towel followed by a dry white towel or rinse with clean water.
- Repeat these steps again if necessary.
FINISHING UP!
When done removing the stain always finish by cleaning the entire item per manufacture care instructions. Even benign spotting agents such as these will oxidize and yellow over time.
Seek professional help if necessary. If you have a good relationship with your green dry cleaners they will be more than happy to help you with stain removal and cleaning questions.
Karl Huie
Pacific Heights Cleaners in San Francisco and Sausalito is your non toxic alternative, proudly leading the way in garment care today and into a healthy future.
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The First Dry Cleaners to be Green Business Certified by San Francisco Environment and Bay Area Green Business Program Marin County. We use the Wet Clean dry cleaning system that is safe for you and the environment.
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