Although Hilker's Cleaners will always provide you with the highest quality cleaning services, we will not always be by your side to help clean every mess you make. Let's face it. accident happen! Luckily, you can hide most stains with a hair dryer or by giving them some time to dry out. Unfortunately, some stains will not fade with time alone. You will need to do a little bit of pretreatment to be sure Hilker's Cleaners is able to completely remove any damage. Here are some emergency cleaning and maintenance tips from you friends at Hilker's Cleaners to help keep your clothes looking their best before and after your next visit to see us (note: Hilker's Cleaners does not endorse these techniques for all stain removal. For proper and compete stain removal, bring you clothes to us).

• Protein Stains: These are water-based stains, such as milk, juice or blood. In order to property treat these types of stains, you must.

1. Make a strain removal liquid by mixing together 4 ounces of water, a 1/2 teaspoon of liquid Tide and a 1/2 teaspoon of ammonia in a small squeeze bottle.
2. Stretch the stained section of the fabric out on a large, flat surface resistant to stain, such as a linoleum countertop or glass table.
3. Easily, squeeze a small amount of the solution onto the stain.
4. Start by brushing the stain lightly with a firm-bristled brush, such as an old toothbrush.
5. As you work the solution into the fabric, continue to brush a little harder.
6. Rinse the stain by spraying it with water and blotting it with an old cloth or paper towel.
7. If some traces of the stain remain once you have finished, you can apply small droplets of hydrogen peroxide from an eyedropper to eliminate the remainder of the damage.
8. After you have applied the peroxide, immediate apply ammonia to the stain and scrub with the brush (WARNING: Always neutralize a base, such as peroxide or ammonia with an acid, such as white vinegar, to avoid turning discoloring the fabric).
9. Rinse the stain with cold water and throw it into the wash.

• Tannin Stains: These are organic stains such as grass stains or red wine. Remember, do not use the protein stain-removal mix with tannin stains , as the ammonia in the protein stain-removal mixture will cause a tannin stain to set. Here is how you should treat a tannin stain.

1. Make a tannin stain removal mixture by mixing together 2 ounces of water, a 1/4 teaspoon of detergent, and 2 ounces of white vinegar.
2. Place the fabric on a flat surface so that the stain is easily visible.
3. Dab the tannin stain removal mixture onto the stain.
4. Gently work the mixture into the stain with a firm-bristled brush, such as an old toothbrush.
5. Add more of the tannin stain removal mixture to the stain.
6. Continue to scrub the stain with your brush.
7. Rinse the stain with cold water.

• Ink Stain: These types of stains are usually known as "dry-side" stains and can be treated by using lighter fluid as the cleaning mixture (be sure to test light fluid on a small section of the fabric to make sure it does not destroy the color) by working it in with your firm-bristled brush. If lighter fluid does not remove your stain, you can try the tannin stain removal mixture, as this can also work.

REMEMBER! Always bring your treated clothes and toughest stains to Hilker's Cleaners in order to make sure the stains are totally removed and your belongings always look their best. Give us a call at one of our many store locations in the Raleigh area here (link to the locations page).