This year September 22nd marks the beginning of fall. With that comes the pumpkin spice lattes and cozy sweaters. It’s a wonderful time… until someone spills their coffee and creates a pumpkin spice sweater. Can it be saved? Can it just be washed out? That depends on the yarn. Coffee stains can be treated and removed with pre-wash sprays. If you don’t have any pre-wash sprays, fear not. Depending on the yarn, try the following coffee stain removal methods to rescue your favorite sweater.
Cotton Yarn Sweaters
If your pumpkin spice sweater is made from cotton, then this can be easily washed and dried like any other cotton garment. Treat any stains and spots with a solution made of 1 quart of warm water mixed with a few drops of dish detergent and a tablespoon of vinegar. Soak for 15 minutes then wash in warm or cold water with a mild detergent in the gentle cycle. Lay flat to dry.
Wool Yarn Sweaters
If your pumpkin spice sweater is made from wool, prepare a solution of 2 cups of cold water with a tablespoon of liquid dish soap. Blot the coffee stain with a sponge until the stain comes out. Then hand wash in cold water with a mild detergent. Gently ring out the water and lay it flat to dry. If pilling occurs, use a pill shaver to remove the unsightly beads. If your sweater is particularly wispy wool, leave this to the dry cleaner to get the stains out.
Acrylic and Polyester Yarn Sweaters
Unlike natural fibers that tend to shrink with heat, acrylic and polyester yarns, being synthetic, tend to loosen up and stretch. So, if your sweater is made of these yarns, avoid washing it in hot water (unless of course you enjoy a sweater that blankets you with comfort). To get any coffee stains out, presoak the affected area in a solution of 1 quart of warm water mixed with a few drops of dish detergent and a tablespoon of vinegar. Then wash in gentle cycle using cold or warm water. Lay flat to dry.
Fall is upon us, and the seasonal coffees are returning to our favorite cafes. Take care not to merge your favorite seasonal latte with your favorite sweater. And remember, if you simply don’t have time in this busy upcoming holiday season to treat stains and wash, use Mango Fresh Laundry’s pickup and delivery service. We’ll pick up your sweaters and other laundry at your doorstep and return it nice and clean.
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