How to remove the stain from butter and margarine:
The invisible grease that likes to come back

A story from life

"I was wearing a light sweater when I buttered my toast. It leaked. The stain was barely visible, but after washing it off, a grey map appeared. I tried baking soda, lemon, and laundry paper - and the second time I washed it, the sweater was as good as new."

- Ivana, EcoHaus customer

Why butter and margarine are tricky

Both butter and margarine are pure fats - butter is animal, margarine is vegetable. They have:

• High fat content
• for margarine, dyes (e.g. beta-carotene)
• both substances are absorbed deep into the fibres

They do not immediately leave a colour on the fabric, but after washing or illumination, a greasy shadow is formed which cannot be removed with ordinary detergents.

Step by step how to remove a butter/margarine stain

What helps:

• Cold or lukewarm water
• Baking soda
• Citric acid or lemon juice
• White vinegar 10%
• EcoHaus Washing Papers
• Sodium percarbonate - for white laundry

Procedure:

1. Gently scrape off the butter or margarine - ideally right away, without rubbing.
2. Rinse the spot with lukewarm water, not hot.
3. Apply a paste of baking soda and lemon or citric acid with water.
   Why it works: The baking soda absorbs the grease, the acid breaks it down and refreshes the fibers.
4. Leave it on for 15 minutes. Then gently wash.
5. Wash with EcoHaus Washing Papers - at 30-40°C.
6. For white laundry, add sodium percarbonate.
   Why it works: Active Oxygen cleans the dull shade and restores the brightness of the fabric.

What to watch out for

• Don't use hot water beforehand. It will burn the grease into the fabric.
• Don't wait. The butter stain darkens and oxidizes over time.
• Don't just use soap. The grease stays even if the stain seems to be gone.

➙ Tip from Grandma Petra

Soda and lemon always helped with butter. For grease stains, it's a classic. And on white stuff, add percarbonate, put it in the sun and it brightens up on its own.

➙ Tip from Vlaďka - the cleaning lady

For margarine? First dry, then vinegar and soda directly on the fabric and wash with paper. If there's anything left, percarbonate and a second wash cycle will sort it out.

Recommended products:

• Baking soda
• Citric acid
• White vinegar 10% - 1 l
• EcoHaus Washing Papers
• Sodium percarbonate

Dealing with another stain?

Check out The Spotter - for oil, tartar sauce, mayonnaise, ketchup, chocolate, and snacks. Or ask Vlaďka - the assistant in the bottom right hand corner can help you right away.

Got a trick of your own?

Share it with us! Leave a comment or send to marketing@ecohaus.cz - we'll publish the best tips in future articles.

Summary

A butter or margarine stain doesn't have to be a disaster. You just need to not panic, but react smartly - with a little force of nature, you can handle it left-handed. And your favorite sweater doesn't have to end up in the "take home".