Protein stains are tricky. Blood, sweat, and tears go a long way to cleaning your home, but they should probably stay out of your clothes – And so should delicious condiments like mayo. But is it really protein-based at all? An egg is the first ingredient in mayonnaise, so you might think so, but this egg and oil-based food staple actually produces oil stains. It’s many peoples’ favorites, but when you’re making that perfect sandwich, sometimes you go a little too far, and “a little too far” winds up on your upholstery or in the laundry. And boy, it can really be stubborn! If you’ve got a problem with mayo now or you’ve had one before, follow these steps to make sure it doesn’t stick around past the expiration date.
Stains on Machine Washables
The first step is to attack the issue while it’s new. You wouldn’t go around all day with a glob of mayonnaise on your favorite blouse, right? Of course not! But don’t rub it in, either. First, take a dull knife, a spoon, or a credit card if you’re on the move and scrape upwards to pull as much of the stain out as you can. Be careful not to rub or press on the stain as you go! That’ll make the problem worse.
Now pretreat the stain with a solvent-based stain remover. If you don’t have one handy, you can work in a bit of heavy-duty detergent with your hands or a soft-bristled brush. Let it sit for at least fifteen minutes and machine wash according to the fabric’s instructions. We recommend the highest wash heat the fabric allows, but because heat sets the stain, make sure it’s completely gone before drying. You might have to repeat the process for particularly oily mayonnaise or a particularly bad stain – And this goes double for synthetic fibers like polyester that have a harder time opening up to release stains.
What if I Don’t Have a Stain Remover?
Don’t panic! Remaining calm is always the first step. After removing the excess, sprinkle on some corn starch, which will draw the stain out. You can then apply some dish soap mixed with water at a ratio of one part dish soap to ten parts water. A tablespoon to ten ounces should do the trick. Next, blot it in with a clean rag and give it a wash. As with before, after washing, check the area thoroughly and repeat as needed as the dryer will set any oil-based stains.
What About Dry-Clean Only?
For fancier clothes that you can’t throw into the wash, repeat the process of using a knife or hard edge to remove the solids. Then, blot the area as much as you can with a white paper towel – or a piece of white bread if you’re really in a pinch. This works great for many oil-based stains. Take it to the dry cleaners as soon as possible, and be sure to point out the stain so they can pick the best treatment possible before they start the process.
What About Mayonnaise on Furniture?
Leather will, thankfully, repel most food-based stains if it’s kept in good condition, but if you get a blob of mayonnaise on a fabric surface, you can repeat much of the same process. Brush it off with a hard surface, and then lift it up with a spray cleaner approved for your fabric. Do a spot test if needed – And if you really want to give it a trick, try a bit of oxy-based cleaner to lift the oil. Spot test it to avoid discoloration, and if all else fails, give the professionals a call. If you need an extra hand with any food-based stains, we’ve got the know-how and experience to take care of it for you.