Help - question about fabrics, stains, and dry cleaning

[tzikeh]

Thanks to some, er, exuberant children at the mall today, part of my pumpkin spice mocha splashed on my very very very favorite coat. The coat is 66% polyester, 32% rayon, and 2% spandex. It says dry-clean only. The coat is red with blue undertones, and the discoloration is small, but definitely there.

I am an idiot when it comes to fabrics. Can anyone suggest anything I can do right now? This did happen over an hour ago, so it's not like I can nip it in the bud, but if anyone knows any tricks, or can warn me ahead of time that the dry cleaners aren't going to be able to get it clean and I should shore myself up emotionally (*sigh*), I'd appreciate info.

ETA: It's not just me who goes to the mall specifically to buy a pair of jeans, and ends up with no jeans but $100 worth of other stuff, right?

Comments

[bethcarielle.livejournal.com]

Have you ever gotten the coat wet before, like in the rain? If it reacts to water without permanent discoloration (lightening, darkening, water staining), dye run, puckering, fuzzing, or pilling you can probably spot treat it. If you're not sure how it reacts to water, try getting a small area you can't see wet, like under the collar, on an inside seam or hem, or even in the armpit area. Blot at the stain gently using a white or light colorfast cloth so you can see if the stain is coming out with water onto the cloth. Don't drench the area and don't use more than lukewarm water. Change the area of the cloth you're using for blotting as the stain comes out. Let it air dry. If there's no change you'll probably have no choice but to have it professionally cleaned.

[feochadn.livejournal.com]

Buy some of this stuff (doesn't matter how old the stain) -- it's available in most grocery stores. Follow these directions: http://www.folexcompany.com/clothing_stains.html
Really, it's THE best stain remover I have EVER seen (and is evironmentally friendly).

[tzikeh.livejournal.com]

Wow, I've never even heard of that. I'll look for it tomorrow at the grocery... thanks and here's hoping!

[tzikeh.livejournal.com]

I don't think I've ever gotten it wet, but I can definitely try water under the collar and see what happens. In order to spot treat it, I just use water?

[bethcarielle.livejournal.com]

The polyester doesn't worry me too much but rayon has this nasty habit of not liking various detergents. I'd start with water. You could try mild or very dilute detergent if water doesn't help but doesn't hurt. Again try the solution some place you can't see it. Is the coat lined? Because you can use the press-through method described in feochadn link if it's just one layer instead of just blotting from one side. Just move the cloth underneath to a clean section as the stain comes through.

[feochadn.livejournal.com]

It's from a company in Oregon. Gwyn's sister discovered it -- it removed dark, day-old, cat-puke from white carpet like you wouldn't believe. I can't believe some of the stains it's worked on, some years old, especially organic stuff -- I suggested it because it's gotten coffee stains out of everything I've tried it on (even silk) and doesn't mess up the fabric dye. If your coat can take water on it without the dye running, this will work. I agree to try and lift the stain with water first, but coffee stains can be a bitch.
Oh, their site says that Target, Lowe's, Home Depot, and K-mart carry it in your area (here in Seattle, Albertson's and Safeway carry it).
Good luck.

[tzikeh.livejournal.com]

It's lined, and the blotting isn't doing me any good. I'll see if I can't find what feochadn recommended tomorrow.

[mayhap]

Definitely not just you. Tomorrow I swear I'm going to find a pair of jeans if it kills me, though, because all the ones I have are sagging unattractively and it kind of defeats the point of losing weight if it makes you look worse than before.

[the-shoshanna.livejournal.com]

Good luck with the stain -- and wow, so not just you. (Though I hope it wasn't $100 worth of pumpkin spice mocha!)

I'm planning a mall trip tomorrow to look for a sweater and maybe a thermal undershirt. We'll see what happens . . .

[delle.livejournal.com]

if you take it to the dry cleaners, be upfront with the stain and what exactly happened. they got nail polish out of a raincoat of mine, so there's hope!

[tzikeh.livejournal.com]

I want to find a *really good* dry cleaner, not just any old, before I take it in. But thanks for the info on the stain. I wish I knew the ingredients in the drink! Maybe I could call Ethel's and ask...