How to Remove Tea Stains from Silk

It is usually best to spot clean a stain, especially on a delicate fabric like silk and a delicate item like a doona or down comforter. Use the steps below to remove the stain. It is always best to test each cleaning method in a small hidden area first to look for any adverse reaction before you begin treating the stain.

• Paper towels
• Club soda
• White vinegar
• Water
• A cloth
• Baking soda or borax
• Isopropyl alcohol

1. If the spill is fresh, soak up as much as possible with paper towels or napkins.
2. Blot the spill with some club soda on a cloth. This may work to fully remove the stain.
3. If the stain is old or if the above methods have not removed the stain, mix equal amounts of white vinegar and water. If possible, use distilled water to prevent getting a water stain if you have hard water.
4. Blot the stain with the vinegar solution.
5. If the stain is stubborn, use full strength white vinegar.
6. If the stain remains, blot the area with plain water to rinse off the vinegar.
7. Mix either baking soda or borax with some water to make a thick paste. About a ratio of 3 parts powder to 1 part water is good.
8. Spread the paste over the stain and let it sit for 30 minutes, the wipe it off and sponge with water to rinse.
9. The paste treatment can be repeated as many times as needed. If the stain is stubborn, let the paste dry on the stain, then brush it off.
10. If the stain still won’t budge, blot it with isopropyl alcohol.

• Do not substitute another vinegar, such as apple cider or red wine vinegar, for the white vinegar. They are not as strong and could leave a stain.
• If necessary, the stain can also be treated by a professional dry cleaner.

• Don Aslett’s Stainbuster’s Bible by Don Aslett
• Field Guide to Stains by Virginia M. Friedman, Melissa Wagner and Nancy Armstrong
• Joey Green’s Cleaning Magic by Joey Green
• Haley’s Cleaning Hints by Graham and Rosemary Haley