Playdough is a great toy for children.Once you see that it has stained a piece of clothing, your imagination will run wild with cleaning questions.Simple and stress-free, the cleaning process can be completed with basic household cleaning supplies.If you remove the playdough from the clothing, treat the stained portion of fabric, and clean the article of clothing in the washing machine, it should be good as new.
Step 1: It is easier to brush off if the playdough is hardened.
Before you try to remove the playdough, let it dry completely.It's tempting to scrub the playdough away when you first notice it, but you might end up spreading the stain into the fabric and making it worse.If you want the playdough to harden quicker, put the article of clothing in the freezer.The playdough should be checked after 30 minutes to see how much has hardened.When the playdough is no longer flexible, take the item out.
Step 2: Use a spoon or butter knife to smooth out the playdough.
Remove the hardened playdough from a dull utensil, like a butter knife or spoon.It will be easier to treat the stained area if you remove it in larger pieces.Wedging the utensil under each piece will allow you to pry off the hardened playdough.You don't want to damage the fabric during the playdough removal process if you use a dull scraper.
Step 3: To loosen leftover playdough, soak the item in warm water for 20 minutes.
To get rid of stubborn scraps of playdough, soak the piece of clothing in water.If you allow the article to sit for at least 20 minutes, there is plenty of time for the extra playdough to come loose.The water should be between 92 and 100 F.
Step 4: If you have leftover playdough, brush it away with a toothbrush.
Take a toothbrush with gentle bristles and get rid of any leftover playdough from the clothing.After the shirt has soaked, it will be much easier to do this.When brushing off playdough, use short, gentle motions.It is a good idea to double check the bristle hardness when buying a brush.Extra soft is a good fit for the job.
Step 5: Allow liquid laundry detergent to soak for 5 minutes.
Put a small amount of laundry detergent into the stained area with your fingers.Since laundry detergent irritates your skin, it's a good idea to wear water-resistant gloves when handling the cleaning agent.
Step 6: If you want to let the stained area soak overnight, cover it with dish soap.
If you don't want to use laundry detergent, place the playdough stained area in a thin layer of dish soap.Since dish soap isn't as concentrated, leave it alone overnight so it can soak into the fabric thoroughlyIf you want a more intense cleaning job, Drench the stained spot in a small container of liquid dish detergent.If you don't want to wait all night for the material to soak, you can wash the stained area with a small basin of dishwashing detergent.When the fabric has soaked, rinse it out with hot water.
Step 7: Place delicate items on a small pile of cornstarch.
It's a good idea to treat clothing articles that should only be dry cleaned with a less intrusive option.Set the stained area on top of the pile of cornstarch.The pile should be the same size as the playdough stain.If you want to shake off any loose powder, leave the fabric on the cornstarch for at least an hour.Baby powder can be used in a pinch if you don't have any cornstarch.
Step 8: The washing machine will start a normal cycle if you put the clothing item in it.
Run a normal load if you toss the playdough-stained article of clothing into the washer.To make sure the clothing can be washed in a machine, double check the material.Cotton and synthetic materials can be washed, but other fabrics may need more specific washing methods.You might want to wash the garment on your own.Add the stain to your normal load of wash.
Step 9: Allow the item to soak for 15 minutes before the rinse cycle starts.
As the machine runs through the normal cycle, keep an eye on it.Pause the load before the rinse cycle begins.The fabric should be soaked for at least 15 minutes.
Step 10: If the stain isn't severe, skip the additional soaking.
If the treatment process has removed the worst of the stain, place the piece of clothing in a load of wash.Don't worry about having to pause or time the cycle when you let the piece of clothing wash as usual.You might have a pre-soak option on your machine.If that is the case, you don't have to worry about pausing the machine to allow for a soaking period.
Step 11: Once the cycle is over, check the stain.
If you want your stained item to go through the rinse cycle, resume the load of wash.Look for stains once the cycle ends.Once the stain is removed, you can repeat the process.If the stain is not gone by the time the machine dries, it may become permanent in the fabric.