Common Pancake Day mistake can ruin your clothes, according to laundry expert
You're not doing Pancake Day correctly if you don't make a bit of mess.
A bit of egg here, a dollop of strawberry jam there. It's easy to get carried away on the best day of the year, also known as Shrove Tuesday. Traditionally this was a day for Christians to use up the last of their eggs, milk and butter in preparation for Lent - but in modern times many people see it as an excuse to indulge in their favourite treat.
It can be a bit stressful if you end up with your favourite toppings all over your favourite T-shirt, which you popped on for the occasion. It's not all lost though - your clothes will be completely salvageable if you don't panic.
Luckily, Hariette Jarman, laundry product manager at AEG Appliances, has shared her step-by-step guide to tackling any troubling topping stains, as well as a common mistake many people make. Before you do anything you should "always check the fabric label".
According to Hariette, this is important because it "details the item's fibre content and wash temperature," which prevents damage. You also need to act as soon as possible to avoid the stain setting into the fabric.
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One common mistake may people make is rubbing the stain, but this can "push the stain deeper into the fabric". Instead, you should blot it, which will help "draw out the stain", instead. Harriet also shared some specific advice, based on what kind of mess you've made.
For example, if you've spilled chocolate or biscuit spreads, you shouldn't use hot water, as this could cause the stains to set. Instead, you should gently remove the excess with a blunt knife, gently blot it with cold water, and then soak for 30 minutes in cold water mixed with laundry detergent, before putting it in the washing machine.
If you've had a syrup or honey nightmare you should also remove what you can with a spoon or blunt knife, but you can use warm water mixed with white vinegar to gently blot the area. Lastly, place the piece of clothing into the washing machine.
For a mishap with french berries you really need to act fast, as the natural pigments can permanently die clothing. First, rinse under cold water, before leaving it to soak for 15 minutes in cold water mixed with laundry determent. Lastly, you can put it in the washing machine and set to the highest temperature suitable for it.
If you've dropped some ice cream down yourself you should never use warm water. Acting quickly, you should leave the item to soak in cold water for 15 minutes, then apply detergent directly to the stain, before leaving it to soak for 30 minutes. Hariette says you should also "rub the stain every five minutes," before placing it into the washing machine at a low temperature.
It's easy to panic if you spill bacon or grease, but if you act fast there's no reason to. These are the hardest stains to treat as they are insoluble in water, which means they have to be pre-treated before washing.
First blot the stain using a dry cloth or kitchen roll, before squirting some regular dish soap onto the stain, before scrubbing it into the fabric. Leave this to sit for 10 minutes, before washing it on the highest temperature suitable.
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