You’re on the way to work. Traffic is bumper-to-bumper once again, but this morning has something especially stressful in store for you. You reach for your coffee, and then, splash! There it goes onto your lap and freshly cleaned uniform.

It happens to all of us. And now there’s an ugly stain making its mark on your uniform. So if your caffeine fix has left you in a similar situation, or if your field of work is prone to all sorts of special splashes and stubborn stains, we’ll share some tips on how to remove even the worst of them - and yes, that includes removing the infamous work grease from clothes.

Soak it.

Your most basic stains are going to fall under this category (i.e. the coffee stain). Anyone in the restaurant or hospitality industries is familiar with stains from mustard or tomato sauce, or dark liquids like red wine or coffee. These and other common stains, like from grass and water-based paint, for example, need to be soaked or flushed with water in order to keep the stain from setting into the fabric. Once the stain has dried, it will be all but impossible to remove. You should let the uniform soak for about 30 minutes before washing it to fully remove the stain.

Scrape it.

In the case of anything sticky or something that hardens, it’s important to remove as much of the substance as possible before trying to wash your work uniform. Syrup, mud, gum, and adhesives like tape or glue, all need to be scraped away before trying to wash the stain out. It’s important to be gentle when scraping, since things like chocolate can be pressed deeper into the fabric, making it harder to remove. After getting rid of as much of the stain as possible, either rinse or soak your work uniform before washing.

De-Grease it.

• Grease is a common affliction for auto shop worker uniforms and industrial worker wear alike. Removing a fresh grease stain is easier than removing one that has set in. Consequently, the sooner you can treat the stain, the better. Even if you can’t get the item into a washer right away, it is best to pre-treat the stain anyway.
• Try using a grease-fighting liquid dish detergent. Rub into the stain and scrub with your hand or a brush. If you don’t have access to dishwashing soap, even shampoo or liquid hand soap is better than nothing.

• If you have a grease stain that has been set in, either by passage of time or by drying the fabric in the dryer, try spraying the stain with a little WD-40, rubbing it in, and then washing the fabric as usual. NOTE: Always test a small, inconspicuous area of the fabric before applying the WD-40 to make certain no damage or discoloration will occur.

Make it easy.

While the above information sure is useful, we think the most valuable tip is right here: when you choose Kleen Kraft Services to handle your workers’ uniforms, there’s no more worrying about tough stains. Our high-powered industrial washers and specially formulated top-of-the-line detergents work hard so you don’t have to. When you pass on your soiled or grease-stained uniform to us, we’ll provide you with a ready-to-wear, clean garment in no time. Don’t put in extra elbow grease trying to get the stains out- choose Kleen Kraft, and contact us today!