Start gently
Lift away any excess material, then blot a fresh spill with a clean cloth or paper towel. Work carefully so you do not spread the mark. Rubbing hard can push it deeper into the fabric or damage fibres.
Read the care label and identify the mark
Check whether the item can be washed and what temperature it allows. A food grease mark, a drink spill and ink may need different treatment. If you are unsure what caused it, avoid reaching for a strong product straight away.
Test before treating
Choose a stain remover that is suitable for the fabric and follow its label. Test it on an inconspicuous area first, especially on coloured or delicate material. Do not combine different cleaning products. For dry clean only garments or treasured items, ask a professional cleaner before trying a home treatment.
Wash, inspect, then decide about the dryer
After treating the stain, wash the item according to its care label. Check the mark in good light before tumble drying. If it remains, repeat a fabric-safe treatment or seek specialist advice; dryer heat can make some stains harder to remove.
A useful kit for laundry day
Keep a clean cloth, a small stain treatment suitable for your usual fabrics and your own laundry liquid handy. At Mt Washmore, self service customers need to bring their own laundry liquid. If you are dropping off a serviced load, point out any stain and explain what caused it and what you have already tried.