[mmcjrrrj]

dear mrs. clean - I have ruined brand new shorts, shirts & jeans with wood stain for my deck - how can I clean this stain out of my laundry ?? and what is the best remover of this stain from vinyl siding??

[mrscleannw]

Hello mmcjrrrj,
Welcome to Mrs. Clean! I'm so sorry for the delay in responding to you, but I was researching your issue.

You have just encountered what every diy (do it yourself) home improvement project person discovers.

Always wear old clothes when painting or staining as it is almost impossible to remove these products from clothing, and it may even take days to remove a product from your skin, until it just wears off.

I would start by trying one of the several wood stain removers and/or paint removers/paint thinners available and gently soak the stains for 24 hours then wash in a gentle cycle in cold water. Do not dry the clothing in the clothes dryer as the heat from the dryer will permanently set the stain.

The key items to remember are:

1. Stains come out easiest if worked on right away.
2. Never dry the garment in the clothes dryer until the stain is permanently removed.
3. Be gentle when working with the stain or you risk fraying the fabric.
4. You can try several products on the stain as long as you rinse completely in COLD water in between each application.

I DO hate to be "beat" by a stain, but I suspect just by the nature of the type of stain which may contain not only a heavy dye but also oil and/or latex this problem may have just turned those articles of clothing into your new set of "cleaning/repair" project clothes.

Please let me know what you discover and or if any item helps you out.

Good Luck!

[mrscleannw]

Sorry for neglecting the second part of your issue. I have found information on removing wood stain from vinyl siding.

Note: always try on the most inconspicuous and smallest spot first.

The recommendation was to gently scape off any globs or raised drips first. Then apply mineral spirits to a clean cloth. Rub the area gently and allow the chemical to penetrate the stain. If that does not work use auto tar remover. If all else fails try xylene (laquor thinner). Be sure to wear gloves and let the area dry each time before trying the next product.

Be very careful not to rub too hard when using these, start with minimal pressure. This was recommended by www.totalremodeling.com
(They also have suggestions on how to keep your siding looking new.)

Good luck and let me know how this turns out!
Mrs. Clean, Inc.