Golf shirts are exposed to a lot on the golf course. Whether your snack at the turn left some remnants or some sunscreen got on your sleeve,when you applied sunscreen, we have some basic stain removal ideas that actually work. If you have a few shirts that you thought were done, give these hacks a try and see if you can salvage them.
Removing oil-based stains (Sunscreen)
Those spray sunscreen bottles are great but they tend to overspray. This stain removal method will work for spray or liquid sunscreen.
Supplies Needed: Dish soap, baking soda, water, clean cloth
Steps:
Blot the Stain
Use a paper towel or clean cloth to remove excess sunscreen. Don’t rub it or wet the cloth. Simply blot it and remove what you can.
Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda or cornstarch over the stain. Baking soda absorbs the oil in the sunscreen well, especially on a polyester shirt. Let it sit for at least 15 minutes.
Brush Off the Excess Powder
Again, without using water or scrubbing, just brush off the excess powder after it has had time to absorb the oil.
Apply Dish Soap
Apply a few drops of dish soap directly to the stain and work it into the fabric with your fingers. You can use a fabric brush but your fingers should work fine and you typically have a lower risk of damage.
Rinse with Cool Water
Now rinse the stained area to remove the soap and any excess baking soda. Then wash the shirt as usual, following the care and label instructions. DO NOT put it in the dryer until you check to see if the stain is fully removed.
Repeat
If you pull the golf shirt out of the washing machine and the stain is still there, repeat the baking soda process.
Removing food stains (e.g., ketchup)
Food stains sometimes come off really easily in a normal wash cycle but it’s best to pre-treat, just to be sure. Here’s how to treat the food stain immediately so you won’t be left with a bigger project.
Supplies Needed: White vinegar, dish soap, water, clean cloth
Steps:
Blot the Stain
Blot the stain with a clean cloth—don’t rub it in, just remove as much as you can. Then rinse it with cold water. If you hit the stain immediately after it happens, sometimes cold water is all you will need to remove it.
Vinegar and Dish Soap
Take a small container and mix a teaspoon of vinegar with a teaspoon of dish soap.
Apply the mixture to the stain and then work it in using a soft cloth or your fingers.
Let the mixture sit on the stain for about five minutes. Leaving it longer can cause issues with the vinegar potentially discoloring the shirt. If you are nervous about discoloration, test a small area on the shirt where it won’t be seen.
Rinse and Repeat
Rinse with cold water and repeat if necessary. When you feel like it is mostly out, launder the shirt as usual and again stop to check before putting it in the dryer.
Removing dirt or mud stains
Rainy days on the course can cause mud and dirt to splash onto your golf shirt. If you would rather not have remnants of an ugly day on the course stuck to your favorite golf shirt, here is the best way to remove it:
Supplies Needed: Liquid laundry detergent, warm water, soft toothbrush
Steps:
Let the Mud Dry
If you start trying to wipe the mud or wet it down to remove it, the process is much harder. Instead, let it completely dry and then brush off the dried mud. You’ll be surprised how much of it comes off. You can use a soft toothbrush to remove as much of the dried mud as possible.
Apply Liquid Laundry Detergent
Put a few drops of laundry detergent directly on the stain and work it into the fabric with your fingers.
Soak in Warm Water
Fill a bowl or sink with warm (not hot) water and let the stained area soak for 15 minutes. When finished, rinse the area and, if necessary, repeat the process from the beginning.
Ensure the stain is out before putting the golf shirt into the dryer.
Keeping your golf shirt in great shape
Here are a few bonus tips for ensuring your golf wardrobe stays in great shape:
- Check labels and follow them carefully to avoid damage.
- Use mild color-saver detergents so the shirts don’t fade over time.
- Fabric softeners aren’t necessary and have been known to degrade golf shirts’ moisture-wicking capabilities over time.
- Wash in cold water when you can. You’ll prevent the shirt from shrinking and keep the color stronger for years to come.
- When you can air dry your golf shirts, especially the polyester premium ones, you’ll extend their lifespan.
Cotton versus polyester
More and more golf shirts are made with premium polyester fabrics. There are a few things to keep in mind as you go through this stain-removal process.
Cotton is more absorbent, so it’s more prone to stains, but it holds up better when you have to scrub a stain out. Using a fabric brush on cotton is a better idea than on polyester.
Polyester resists stains better overall but it holds on to oil-based stains. Keep repeating the baking soda method on the shirt, avoid high heat and be smart about scrubbing or brushing a stain as it could damage the fibers.
For any type of stain on any material, treat it as soon as possible and always pre-treat before putting it through the laundry cycle.
The post How to Get a Stain Out of Your Favorite Golf Shirt appeared first on MyGolfSpy.
Article Link: https://mygolfspy.com/news-opinion/how-to-get-a-stain-out-of-your-favorite-golfs-shirt/