When one of these things happens, you can toss the garment in the trash, turn it into your work-in-the-yard gear, or make it into cleaning rags. Or, you can try one of these eight creative ways to hide the stain and keep wearing your favorite shirt!
Before You Begin
Before you attempt any of the ideas, take your abilities, your time, the value of the garment, and the expense to hide the stain into consideration. If the item is expensive business wear, consider visiting a professional seamstress or dry cleaner for suggestions. For kid’s clothes that will be outgrown quickly, include them in the project. They may be proud to show off their handiwork.
Use the right type of marker: You can purchase permanent markers just for fabric or use a permanent ink marker (Sharpie). Plan your design: Look at the stain and plan what to draw over it. You may need to add more than one design element for the look to be cohesive. Protect the garment: Place a heavy piece of cardboard under the fabric as you draw or you’ll have traces of the ink in places you may not want it. Set the ink: Once you have completed the artwork, iron the garment using the highest temperature recommended on the care tag to set the ink.
Read the label: Take time to read the label instructions carefully.Plan your design: Sketch your design on a piece of paper before you start painting on the garment. You can often use a soft-lead pencil to draw the design on the fabric before you paint.Protect the garment: Place a piece of cardboard under the work area to prevent bleeding onto the back of the fabric.
Prepare a neutralizing solution: A neutralizing solution will stop the bleaching action when you reach the desired color. Mix one part hydrogen peroxide with 10 parts water in a plastic bowl. Mix this up before you begin your bleaching project so it is ready to use. Plan and Protect: Plan your design and protect the rest of the garment by putting a heavy piece of cardboard under the area you are bleaching. Protect work surfaces with plastic or old white towels. Design and neutralize: Apply the bleach with a bleach pen or brush. When the design is finished, use a clean paintbrush to apply the neutralizing solution to stop the bleaching.
Follow the directions: Read the directions provided with the decal or transfer paper to select the correct iron temperature. Let it cool: Do not attempt to handle the garment until the decal is completely cool.
Use your embroidery skills: Stitch an abstract design or flower to cover a stain. Be sure to use color-fast embroidery floss that can be washed the same way as the base fabric. Sew-on a patch: Colorful patches are sold online and in craft stores. Choose one large enough to cover the stain or add several to create a new look. Add buttons: Create a design with buttons, beads, or sequins to hide the stain.
Put on a jacket: Hide a stain on a shirt by adding a jacket or sweater.Use a brooch: If the stain is in an appropriate spot, hide it with a brooch or other jewelry.Add a scarf or necktie: Scarves and neckties are great at hiding stains until you can find another solution.
