Scorch marks on your favorite shirt or dress can feel like a laundry disaster. But don’t worry, it’s easier to remove scorch marks from clothes than you might think! At Nearest Laundry, we specialize in helping you with all your laundry woes, and in this blog, we’ll show you how to tackle scorch marks with simple, effective methods. Whether it’s an accidental iron burn or a dryer mishap, you don’t have to say goodbye to your garment just yet. Let’s explore how to get rid of scorch marks and restore your clothes to their former glory.
What Causes Scorch Marks?
Scorch marks result after fabrics come into contact with high heat, usually from an iron or dryer. Heat is absorbed by different materials at a rate dependent upon their type while some more delicate fabrics like silk and wool are especially prone to burning; they require lower temperatures than its more tough relations like cotton and linen before catching fire.
An iron left on a garment too long, or an overheated dryer can produce burn marks that are easily seen. Well not to worry, a lot of fabrics such as cotton or linen can be saved with the correct treatment.
How to Remove Scorch Marks from Clothes: Act Fast
The biggest thing is to act fast after you burn your clothing. What Should You Do When You See a Scorch Mark?
Remove the Heat Source by: Unplugging the iron, turning off your dryer or with a hand-held tool, and take out the garment from the heat source.
Calm the Fabric: allow your garment to cool completely before handling it.
Analyze the Damage: Small burns will be repaired easily at home, but when the fabric fibers are irreparably damaged, you might need professional help.
How to Get Scorch Marks Out step by step
Rinse in Warm Water
Soak the scorched area in warm water first. This will help to get rid of any loose or burnt fibers and prep the fabric so you can take further action.
Rub Laundry Detergent on the Mark
Using your fingers, gently work liquid laundry detergent into the scorch mark. That way, detergent can work in the fibers and get to work on that stain. With delicate fabrics, just carefully do it yourself and not cause damage for worse.
For more details on how to wash delicate items, you can check out our guide onHow to Wash Your Clothes.
Pre-Treat with Bleach (If Safe)
If the fabric care label indicating the garment can be bleached, soak it in a bleach/water solution for roughly 15 minutes. The label instructions should always be followed to know what kind of bleach is ok for the fabric. This is particularly effective with cotton and linen types of cloth.
If your clothing cannot be bleached, try using white vinegar instead. It is a natural stain remover which is friendly to most fabrics.
Wash in the Machine
Then, simply wash the garment using your regular detergent. Follow the care instructions on the fabric for correct wash cycle and temperature. If the scorch mark is visible, rewash.
Want some simple tips on how to take the best care of your clothes in the laundry? For advice, we suggest taking a look at our Laundry Symbols Explained blog.
Dry in the Sun
So once the clothes have been washed, they should be placed in bright sunlight. The naturally bleaching action of the sun can assist in lighting up any remaining scorch marks. But, do not leave in sun for a long time to avoid fade.
Alternate Ways to Get Rid of Scorch Marks
For additional measures that may aid in the removal of scorch marks if all else fails, please read on
1. Hydrogen Peroxide for Fine Fabrics
It is a mild bleach, so it can be used with delicate fabrics such as wool or silk, Dampen a cloth with hydrogen peroxide and place it over the burn area. Next, run a warm iron over the cloth, as the heat will activate the peroxide and help remove the scorch mark.
2. Lemon Juice and Sunlight
Use fresh lemon juice for a natural solution and place the garment under the sun between 10-15 minutes. Both the acidic properties of a lemon and sun bleaching help fade the mark. After complete saturation, rinse the fabric and then allow it to drip dry. This is another great tip for those looking for how to remove burn marks from clothes using household items.
Avoiding Scorch Marks: Lessons Learned
Scorch marks are better avoided than treated. These are some of the possible ways to avoid burning your clothes in the dryer.
Follow the Right Heat Instructions: Make sure you always read the fabric care label first and then you adjust your iron or dryer heating settings based on this.
Don't Walk Away While Ironing: Things scorch very fast, in just seconds that you are not at the iron. Concentrate on the ironing.
Be Gentle with Fabric: Some fabrics, such as wool or silk, will need special treatment. If you want some tips on how to maintain them, read our article How to Iron Your Clothes.
Seeking Help From Professionals
However, at times, damage due to burning may become worst even beyond the power of do-it-yourself solutions. If you have attempted multiple remedies and the stain persists, Maybe it is time to consult with a clean laundry expert for an in-house service. We are experts in high-performance stain removal, and one of the stains is scorch mark. If you have a more stubborn scorch mark or any other questions regarding our services such as How Dry Cleaning Services Work, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Here is how to put your clothes back in order when you have a scorch mark! These simple tips on how to remove scorch marks from clothes can help you clean your scorched clothes back to their former glory quickly and easily. And if you need extra help, Nearest Laundry is here to save the day with professional laundry and fabric care services in London.
