Discoloured collar and cuffs on school dress

[Astrid]

All the white parts on DD1's check school dresses are getting discoloured. Not sure what it is, probably just a combo of sweat and dirt.

I have tried soaking and scrubbing with sard soap, but they have not made a dint in it.

Not sure if it is due to having to use a sensitive powder and soaker, and/or being on tank water. DH does wonder if the washing powders are made to interact with the chemicals in town water, hence why I struggle with white laundry.

Any ideas?

[Phteven]

Lemon juice soak?

[Rouge]

Vinegar and bicarb? I've dabbed on vinegar as a presoaker before, then popped on some bicarb and rubbed it in right before the wash. Its worked on even deodorant build up.

[Lenny]

I find sunscreen incredibly hard to get out of the kids white clothes (the few they have). Could it be suncreen? I can't get it out with pretreaters - i might need a rust remover too.

Steps for removing sunscreen stains
•If iron content in water is not an issue: pretreat the stain with a heavy duty liquid detergent or make a paste with powder detergent/water and let this set on fabric at least 30 minutes or overnight.Then launder as usual. Check clothing before drying. If stain remains, repeat.
•If the water has a high iron content, use a water softener . Be sure to wash and rinse clothing in warm water treated with a water softener.
•High heat and chlorine bleach can make the problem worse if there is iron in the water.
•If stain is still present, launder with a commercial rust remover. Commercial rust removers are for use only on white or colorfast fabrics.

[Olive]

DD's cuffs were discoloured too due to sunscreen ( I assume) I used one if those Exit blocks!! I got one from target a few years ago and never used it until last night, worked a treat on the cuffs.

[AnyDream]

It's worth keeping at least one enzyme-based product in your laundry, just for these things. A product like the original Preen (spray on, leave it to soak in then wash like normal in hot water) or even one of the napisan-style soaking product (just look for the ones that say the word enzyme otherwise you're only getting a bleach) are very effective for stains with an organic origin. And for oily stains, soak and wash in the hottest water that's suitable for the fabric. I'm not a fan of buying lots of different household products but it is worth having one of these in the cupboard for those times when you do need it.

[Astrid]

Thanks ladies

I did try the lemon juice, but don't think I got enough sun on it
I took the dress to MIL's when we went on holiday, she had a White King spray. We used that and it helped a bit.
Then I bought a Bosistos pre wash stick and that helped a bit more.

I do have a soaker with enzimes, but it is a Coles brand ones, so not sure if it is doing the job.

Oh, it wont be sunscreen, just our skin type. I am terrible with whites, so it looks like DD1 is as well.

[AnyDream]

Astrid, what's your soaking method? I would go hottest water you can for 2 hours then into a hot wash. Not all the time, just every now & again to juice ip the whiteness. I dont think they work so well if you just add it to the normal wash without the soaking. I've used lots of different brands and they all seem to come up ok.

[Astrid]

Normally the enzyme based powder, but in warm water (I thought very hot killed the enzymes )
Wash is just whatever seems right with the washing machine, think I normally pick the synthetic wash as it is poly/cotton.

[Sopdet]

What about those blue block things that you soak the clothes in and hang them out on the line in the sunshine. Mum swore by them with bore water.

[Astrid]

Not on bore water, just plain old tank water from the roof

[Sopdet]

yeh thought you were on tank, just saying she swore by them for bore water (as well as city water & rain water).

[MLR1901]

Try dish washing liquid, only a little on damp, rub together and then add more water till foamy. Then rinse and lay in sunshine.
Dish liquid good for removing grease and oil build up.