(NAPSA)—Parents spend about $527 on school clothes and supplies, according to the American Express Retail Index. Can rar Stain Removal That Makes The Grade t this hefty investment survive recess and the school cafeteria? Following is a rundown of some of the most common school year stains, along with tips for removing them from the Whirlpool Insti- tute of Fabric Science. This advice will help keep kids’ clothes at the headoftheclass. Before removing any stain, consult the care label for the manufacturer’s recommendations. With brightly colored items, it is also best to check an invisible corner to ensure that the treatment you choose will not affect color. 1. Crayons left in the pock- et of jeans Coloring outside the lines is fine but when it’s on pants it becomes a problem. Depending on the temperature of the wash water, crayons usually don’t cause too much of a problem when removed BEFORE being tossed into the dryer. If they go through the dryer and melt, the best way to remove them is with a dull knife to remove surface wax. Place the stain between paper towels and press with a warm iron (no steam) from the back of the fabric; make sure to replace the towels frequently to absorb more wax. To help with the color removal, soak garment in a solution of non-chlorine bleach using the hottest water safe for the fabric, then launder. 2. Mustard spots on a T-shirt Making lunches can get messy, especially when mustard is involved. When your little one misses the bread and hits his shirt, pretreat the stain using a liquid laundry detergent with enzymes or a spray-type stain remover. Rinse and then launder using a color-appropriate bleach and the hottest water safe for the fabric. 3. Grass stain gripes Your daughter has a green thumb and, unfortunately, her pants are sharing the same color. After they've spent a day of play- ing in the garden, pre-treat pants by soaking or pre-washing in warm water using liquid detergent. Launder in a washer that has a heavy duty cycle, such as the Whirlpool Duet. If the stain persists, launder using a bleach safe for the fabric. 4.Markers bled onto backpack With school projects and arts andcrafts galore, it’s just a matter of time before supplies leak or stain. First, determine if the ink stain is sensitive to water by placing a drop of it on the stain. If the stain runs, treat with the following method: Rinse the stained area under run- ning cold water to remove as much ink as possible. Rub with a bar of soap and then wash using laundry detergent, hot water and bleach safe for the fabric. If the stain doesn’t run when you add water, do the following: Place the stain face down on clean paper towels. Apply a stain remover AROUNDtheback of the stain before applying it directly to the stain. Replace the paper towels under the stain frequently to help prevent the stain from spreading. Rinse thoroughly and then launder using hot water and color-appropriate bleach for the fabric.
