Q. My child plays little league baseball, and his socks and uniform get so dirty. What’s the best way to clean them?
A. First, pretreat with a prewash stain remover. Look for a stain remover that contains enzymes to remove the grass stains. Then, launder in the hottest water that’s safe for the fabric, using a bleach that’s safe for the fabric. Repeat procedure if necessary.
For dirt stains, brush off as much residue as possible. (If the dirt is actually mud, let the mud dry completely before brushing it off.) Then follow the procedure above.
For sweat stains, check first to see if the stain has changed the color of the fabric. If that has happened, apply ammonia to fresh stains or white vinegar to old ones. Let it sit for a few minutes and then rinse thoroughly. Then follow the procedure above.
Do not put in the dryer until the stain has been removed. If washing does not remove the stains and it is safe for the fabric, consider trying a chlorine or oxygen bleach.
Get more tips for cleaning uniforms.