OT: Stain Removal (Fabric Softener)

Okay, I need help.... My daughter & I were leaving to go meet hubby & my son, and I wanted to start some laundry real quick.  I was sorting the clothes and told my daughter to put a scoop of washing powder in the washer.... I added the clothes and while I was turning the washer on, I told her to put in a cap of fabric softener.  You won't believe - she poured it over the clothes... and of course, they couldn't have been towels, but were good clothes (darks)..... I could not believe she did it.  As many times as she's seen me do laundry and pour the sofener in the dispenser, it never crossed my mind that she would pour it over the laundry.  I had at least two items that appear to be ruined.  One is a shirt that I got at Amercian Eagle and wore it today for the first time.  I paid too much money for it - so now I am dying that it is ruined.   Anyone know how to remove this type of stain??? Laundry 101 w/ daughter tomorrow.

I found this online.... How to Remove Fabric Softener Stains by the editors of Consumer Guide Fabric softener makes your freshly laundered clothes so much gentler to the touch. But when it causes laundry stains, use these stain removal methods. Remove Fabric Softener Stains From: Acetate, Carpet/Synthetic, Carpet/Wool, Fiberglass, Rayon, Silk, Triacetate, Wool Dampen the stain with water and rub gently with bar soap (do not use a dedorant-type soap). Or, rub the area with liquid laundry detergent or Shout Liquid Laundry Stain Remover. Rinse thoroughly with clear water, then blot the excess liquid and allow to dry. Remove Fabric Softener Stains From: Acrylic Fabric, Cotton, Linen, Modacrylic, Nylon, Olefin, Polyester, Spandex Dampen the area with water and gently rub with bar soap (do not use a deodorant-type soap). Or, rub the area with liquid laundry detergent or Shout Liquid Laundry Stain Remover. Rinse thoroughly. Blot the excess liquid and launder as soon as possible. Remove Fabric Softener Stains From: Acrylic Plastic, Aluminum, Asphalt, Ceramic, Glass/Tile, Cork, Glass, Linoleum, Paint/Flat, Paint/Gloss, Plexiglas, Polyurethane, Porcelain Dishes, Porcelain Fixtures, Vinyl Clothing, Vinyl Tile, Vinyl Wallcovering Wipe up any excess spill immediately, as the chemicals can injure the surface. Wipe the area with a cloth or sponge dipped in warm sudsy water. Rinse well and wipe dry.

Removing fabric softener stains

Leaves splotches which can be removed by rubbing stained area with bar soap and launder as usual. To prevent stains, dilute softener or tear dryer sheets in half.

Thanks Cindy !!! I'll try the bar of soap next.  Of course, in a panic, I sprayed them down w/ shout, and ran them through the washer again.  I really do not it expect the shout to take out the stains.... I remember doing the same when I first got married and ruined some clothes then.  I still remember that and it was 19 years ago.

I have never heard of fabic softner stain... what does it look like.... does it sort a like stain like it is clorax.... It has been yrs. since I have used the liquid.. I don't have the dispenser and would never be around to hear it go into that cycle to add it.... Hope you find out... sorry I am not of any help.. I just learned last week how to get and ink pen stain out of a shirt so I am still learning everyday... Laura

OMG - the softener stain almost looks like bleach stains, but no so discolored.  I had a pair of brown pants (kind of silky - big legged pants, if you know what I'm talking about) and then a navy AE shirt.... both have discolored blotches all of them... I am just sick.....  I can't believe I wore that shirt for the first time today.....  Oh well - things could always be worse. 

Whatever you do, don't put them in the dryer until the stain is out.  The clothes dryer will set the stain and it will NEVER come out.  Good luck with this! Cindy

Have you tried washing the clothing again but without any fabric softener? This happens to me every once in a while even with my Downy Ball and I find that washing them again with no fabric softener works wonders.

I have them washing now - I immediately sprayed them w/ shout and put them back in the washer.... keeping my fingers crossed.....

Both of my pregnancies were hard ones due to morning sickness 24/7 for 6 months EACH time.  So hubby had to wash some clothes and he would ask how to wash what.  Well, he washed all of the darks together, lights, and then all of the reds.  Last he washed all of the whites.  Well, I'm not sure what happened and he swears that he did NOT leave anything red in the washer but we both wore pink undies, t-shirts, socks for several weeks.  Never had done it before and hadn't done it since!! 

Cathy, Do you have a Dollar Store near you?  I read a post here several months ago about what products got stains out the best.  Look for GOOP.  It is in a small plastic container with an orange lid that says "The Ultimate Stain Lifter" on the lid.  The side of the container states "Orange Goop Hand Cleaner."  I have used this on grease stains on clothing that has already been washed and dried and it has successfully removed the stains.  Love the stuff. Good luck. Maggie