The best way to remove colour stains from clothes is by not getting any on them. But who are we kidding! By hook or by crook, the bright splotches of colour are going to make their way to your clothes. It’s time to play Holi!

Perhaps you’re a willing participant who keeps aside old clothes, to be thrown away later, just for this celebration. Or, you are the one who stays closeted behind doors, but gets caught unaware either at office or while in transit, and good, clean, clothes become unwearable.

If you wonder how to remove colour stains from clothes without resorting to backbreaking and unholy methods like scrubbing, then you are not alone. More often than not, what gets left behind is a worn out you and a visible Holi colour that mocks your efforts.

But, it’s not over until we say it is over. We know multiple ways to remove the colour stains on clothes, making them wearable again.

Home Remedies To Remove Holi Colours from Your Clothes

#1 Bleach: If the clothes in question are white, simply soak them in hot water with non-chlorine bleach. Wash and dry them separately to prevent the colour from leeching on to other clothes.

#2 White vinegar: Add half a cup of white vinegar and 1 teaspoon of Ariel to 2-3 litres of cold water. The acid does the trick here and pulls the colour from your clothes.

#3 Window cleaner: Yes, you read that right. But make sure you use a clear ammonia-based spray-on window cleaner. Spray the stain with the window cleaner and keep for about 15-20 minutes. Blot the stain with a clean cloth, rinse and wash like normal.

#4 Lemon juice: The acidic nature of lemon helps remove the stain. Soak the stain in lemon juice for 15 minutes and scrub lightly with your hands. Wash as usual, but separately.

#5 Methylated spirits (alcohol): Rub some alcohol (undiluted) on the stain and rinse thoroughly under running cold water. Wash as usual.

More Tips on How to get Those Stubborn Holi Colours Off Your Clothes

1. Wash stained clothes as early as possible. The longer the colour stays, the harder it gets to remove it. Take non-washable fabric to the drycleaners at the earliest and explain the stain.
2. Other than Ariel, most of the chemicals used to remove stains can be harsh on the skin. Wear gloves and use a soft old toothbrush to apply the chemicals. Using a spray bottle with a stain remover solution is also a good idea.
3. Don't wash stained and clean clothes together, and never mix two stain-removal products. Some stains are stubborn and might need more than one attempt at removal. Do not dry the garment because that will set the stain permanently.
4. Wash the treated garment thoroughly to remove all trace of the used chemical.
5. Don’t use chlorine bleach on coloured garments as it will fade and discolour the fabric.

Some stains are just too stubborn. Don’t be disheartened if the stain doesn’t go even after all this. Discard the garment, but keep the memory of the fun times.