Science is about more than just memorizing equations and using formula sheets. It’s a way of exploring and discovering things about the world around us. It can be learned by anyone, anywhere – and it can teach you a lot about style.

Over the next few months, I’m going to be explaining how science can apply to your wardrobe and showing you the places in which fashion and science intersect. (It’s more places than you think!)

Last time, we talked about the science of reducing stress. Today, I’ll be taking about how different types of stain removers work to fix your clothes, and which ones to use for which type of stain.  

Table of Contents

Abstract:

I’m going to let you in on a secret: I’m extremely accident-prone. From splattering tomato sauce onto my sleeve during dinner, to dropping tea down the front of my sweater during breakfast, or slipping and falling into a mud puddle while rushing off to class, my clothes always come into contact with the very same substances that I’m most supposed to protect them from. Just this week, I was sorting through my wardrobe to rotate in some of my spring clothes, and I realized just how many of my favorite winter sweaters are somehow covered in mysterious stains. Aside from wearing black every day, what’s a girl to do?

Enter stain removers: from the tried-and-true home remedies to the newest thing being sold on TV, there are dozens of ways to supposedly undo any unfortunate stain you might put into your clothes. 

Basically, stain removers use some basic principles of chemistry in order to effectively clean your clothes. These principles can basically be divided into three main categories, which are then combined to target specific types of stains.  

The simplest way to remove stains is by dissolving them.  This just requires soaking dirty fabrics in some liquid (e.g. water, or club soda), and allowing the particles that are causing the stain to lift away from the fabric.