Patrick Oconnell
Cheese stains can be a pain to remove, but there are several methods you can use to get rid of them. The key is to act quickly and not let the stain settle in. First, try to scrape off as much of the cheese as possible without rubbing it further into the fabric. Then, depending on the type of fabric, you can use a variety of household items such as liquid laundry detergent, dish soap, vinegar, or lemon juice to treat the stain before putting the garment through the wash.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First steps | Scrape off excess cheese with a paper towel or similar |
| Water temperature | Cold water |
| Pretreatment | Liquid laundry detergent, dish soap, or dishwashing liquid |
| Wait time | 5–30 minutes |
| Wash | Machine wash with laundry detergent |
| Additives | Vinegar, lemon juice, baking soda, or Clorox 2™ For Colors Stain Remover |
| Drying | Air dry |
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What You'll Learn
Act quickly
Acting quickly is key to removing cheese stains. Start by scraping away any excess cheese with a spoon or butter knife. Be gentle, as you don't want to push the stain further into the fabric. If the cheese is still soft, place the garment in the freezer for a few minutes to harden it and make it easier to remove. Once you've removed as much solid cheese as possible, it's time to treat the stain.
The next step is to pre-treat the stain with a liquid detergent. Apply a small amount of dishwashing liquid or laundry detergent to the stain and gently work it into the fabric with your fingers or a soft-bristled brush. Start on the outside of the stain and work your way in, rubbing the detergent in a circular motion. Allow the detergent to sit on the stain for at least 5 minutes, and up to 30 minutes for stubborn stains.
After pre-treating, it's important to rinse the garment with warm or cold water. Hold the reverse side of the stained area under running water for a few minutes to force the stain out of the fabric. Gently wash the garment, using your hands or a clean cloth to scrub the stain with a detergent solution. Make sure to rinse away all the detergent to avoid any residue.
If the stain persists, you can repeat the above steps or try using a vinegar solution. Mix one part vinegar with two parts water, and apply it to the stain. Alternatively, you can use lemon juice by cutting a lemon in half and squeezing the juice directly onto the stain. Allow the vinegar or lemon juice to sit for a few minutes, then rinse with warm water.
Finally, after treating the stain, it's important to wash the garment as usual. Machine wash the item using a laundry detergent and, if needed, a stain remover. Always check the care label of the garment before washing and drying, as certain fabrics may require special care. Avoid using a clothes dryer until you're sure the stain is completely removed, as the high heat can set the stain and make it permanent.
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Scrape off excess cheese
Scraping off excess cheese is an important step in removing cheese stains from various surfaces. Here are some detailed instructions for different scenarios:
Scraping Cheese Off Dishware
If you're dealing with a cheese stain on dishware, pots, or pans, start by filling the sink with hot water and adding grease-fighting liquid dish soap. Place the dishware in the sink, allowing it to soak for about an hour. After soaking, drain the sink and refill it with hot water and soap. Once the water is cool enough to handle, use a wooden spoon, a plastic utensil, or a plastic spatula to scrape off the softened cheese. You can also use a pot scraper or an old credit card to get under the cheese layer and lift it off effectively. For delicate surfaces, avoid using metal scrubbers. Alternatively, you can fill the dishware with hot water, dump it out, and then add a handful of baking soda. Use a scrubber and more baking soda as needed to remove the cheese residue.
Scraping Cheese Off Cast Iron Cookware
Cast iron cookware requires special care due to its susceptibility to rust. Avoid soaking cast iron in water for extended periods. Instead, fill the cookware with hot water and dish soap and let it sit for a while. Then, drain the water and use a wooden or plastic utensil to gently scrape off the cheese. Remember to dry your cast iron cookware thoroughly after cleaning to prevent rusting.
Scraping Cheese Off Clothing
When dealing with cheese stains on clothing, it's important to not wet the fabric before treating the stain. Start by applying a liquid dishwashing detergent directly to the stain and rubbing it in. Wait about 5 minutes, and then rinse the area with warm water to remove the detergent. Finally, machine wash the clothing as usual, using laundry detergent and a stain remover designed for the specific fabric type.
Tips for Effective Scraping
- Use cold water to harden the cheese, making it easier to scrape off.
- For stubborn cheese residue, cut plastic scrapers from a milk jug or similar material to lift off chunks and goo without damaging the surface.
- Soak dishware in hot, soapy water to loosen stubborn cheese residue before scraping.
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Use vinegar and water
To remove cheese stains from your clothing, start by removing any cheese that can easily be lifted from the fabric. Then, apply liquid laundry detergent to the stain and let it sit for 30 minutes. Next, run the garment through the washing machine using hot water. If you're still noticing the stain, repeat these steps but add a vinegar and water solution to the affected area before laundering the item again.
To make the vinegar solution, mix equal parts vinegar and water. You can apply this mixture to the stain and let it sit for up to 24 hours before rinsing and washing the item as usual. Alternatively, you can soak a clean, dry microfiber cloth in the solution and then blot the stain.
White vinegar is particularly effective at removing stains because it's a weak acid, which makes it safe to use on fabrics while still being strong enough to counteract stubborn marks.
It's important to act quickly when treating cheese stains, as they can be difficult to remove if they're allowed to set.
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Apply laundry detergent
Cheese stains can be stubborn due to their oily nature. To treat a cheese stain, start by carefully removing any cheese that can be lifted off the fabric. Since cheese stains are oily, it is important not to wet the fabric before proceeding. The first step is to pre-treat the stain with a liquid dishwashing detergent. Apply a small amount to the stain, gently rub it in, and then rinse with warm water. Make sure to completely rinse away the detergent before proceeding.
Next, apply liquid laundry detergent to the stain. Use a sponge or a spare toothbrush to gently scrub the detergent into the stain. Allow the detergent to sit for around 5 minutes. You can also allow it to sit for up to 30 minutes for more stubborn stains. After the detergent has had time to work, put the garment through a wash cycle in the washing machine. Use the hottest setting available and include a stain remover product if desired.
When the wash cycle is complete, air dry the garment and check to see if any trace of the stain remains. If the stain is still visible, repeat the process of applying laundry detergent, allowing it to sit, and washing the item. It may take several attempts to fully remove a stubborn cheese stain.
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Wash with hot water
To get a cheese stain out of clothing, it is recommended to act quickly and not let the stain sit for too long. First, use cold water to wash out the cheese. Then, scrub the stain with a sponge and laundry detergent under incredibly hot water. It is important to rinse away all the detergent before machine washing the clothing.
If the cheese stain is oily, do not wet the stain before proceeding. Pretreat the stain with a liquid dishwashing detergent and rub it in. After waiting for five minutes, rinse the detergent with warm water. Make sure to remove all the dish detergent before machine washing the clothing with laundry detergent.
The enzymes in most detergents work better in hot water. However, hot water can cause some stains to set, such as mustard. Cold water is ideal for spot-treating stains to prevent them from sinking further into the fabric. It is also recommended for highly pigmented foods like cheese, jelly, jam, and soy sauce.
It is important to follow the directions on the label and the cleaning instructions for the stained fabric. If the first attempt at removing the stain is unsuccessful, consider calling a local professional cleaning service.
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Frequently asked questions
Mix a tablespoon of dish soap with two cups of cool water. Use a soft brush to apply the mixture to the stain and scrub.
Mix 1 tablespoon of ammonia with 1/2 cup of warm water. Apply the solution to the stain, then blot away with a clean cloth until it’s gone.
Hold the reverse side of the stained area under cold running water for a few minutes as soon as the stain occurs.
You can use regular liquid laundry detergent. Work it into the fabric in a circular motion, beginning on the outside of the stained area and working inward.
After treating the stain with detergent, run the garment through the washing machine using hot water.
