A dirty little secret…

Okay I’m going to come out an say it. I’ve bought pants with stains in the crotch and resold them. Why? Because it’s so simple to remove! My dirty little secret?

Hydrogen Peroxide.

I know, some of you are probably grossed out right now. However one of the parts about being sustainable, is cleaning items that would otherwise end up in the landfill.  When sourcing for vintage I try to also take in items that I know I can clean or repair. Some stains I know I can’t remove, and I’ve actually dyed over to give them a second life. But one type of stain I can almost always guarantee to get out is body fluid, and they tend to be in women’s pants. I’ve rescued some great vintage Levi’s that just needed a good cleaning! Hydrogen peroxide is a beast as removing blood stains! Simply put your item in the sink or a bowl and use enough peroxide to saturate the area, or soak if it’s a stubborn one. Wash on cold, air dry and repeat if necessary until the stain is removed.

A tip is to use new peroxide! Don’t go digging for one that’s been in your cabinet for a decade. Peroxide degrades over time and is light sensitive (which is why it’s stored in a dark bottle), and looses effectiveness over time.

Other things I keep in my stain removing repertoire:

• White Vinegar - Works on some food and rust stains
• Dawn Dish Soap - For removing grease Stains
• High quality laundry detergent! You’d be surprised how much will come out with a good quality detergent alone. I use Persil original. The oxi one is great too for whites, but I would not use it on vintage colored fabric as it may bleach it.
• Color Catcher Sheets - If you can’t get synthrapol a great way to avoid color runs is good ole color catcher sheets. Always wash in cold water!
• Rubbing Alcohol - Be cautious with clothing as it may cause the stain to run and create a bigger mess. Best for using on non-porous surfaces (glass, ceramic, plastic) to remove alcohol based pigment like sharpie.