It's Not Too Late! Here's How To Save Stained Clothes After Drying Them

So you found a stain on your favorite piece of clothing, and it's already been through a full wash cycle and the dryer. It's doomed, right? You're probably thinking there's no point in trying to get it out now because it's set in for good. But you shouldn't lose hope just yet. There may still be a way to save it, and nope, we're not talking about grabbing the nearest bottle of fabric cleaner from your shelf and blotting it on there. In fact, you might be able to save your stained clothes even after they've been dried by applying laundry detergent to the stained area — specifically enzymatic laundry detergent, which is simply a laundry soap that contains enzymes.

Most detergents have them, though some do leave out the enzymes and fragrances for those with sensitive skin or who prefer fewer additives. Still, a detergent with enzymes can be your best friend when you've got a stained garment you aren't ready to part with, even after it's dry. There are actually several types of enzymes in laundry detergents designed to target stubborn stains that hot water can't tackle alone. For instance, amylases break down starch stains, lipases handle greasy stains like butter or oil, and proteases go after protein-based stains. So, go and grab that bottle of enzymatic laundry soap and rescue that favorite shirt!

To remove a stain from already dried clothing, dab a bit of enzymatic laundry detergent on the stained area and let it sit for about 10 minutes. If the stain is older, you can leave it on for 30 minutes or longer to really let the enzymes get into the fabric and break down the pigment. Most modern detergents contain enzymes, and you can tell if yours does by skimming the label. Look out for words like "bio," "biological," or "enzyme-powered detergent." If it says "non-bio formula," it likely doesn't include enzymes, and therefore, won't work for this particular stain removal hack.

Gently scrub the area after applying the enzymatic detergent with a soft brush in an up-and-down motion to help lift it. Once you complete that round of spot-cleaning the stained area, rinse the detergent, and then try spot-cleaning with white vinegar, then rinse again. You can repeat these steps as needed until you've removed as much of the stain as possible.

Once you're done pre-treating, wash the garment according to the care label instructions. If the fabric can handle it, use the hottest water setting on your washer as the heat will help loosen and lift the stain. Should the stain disappear after a full wash cycle, you're in the clear to toss it in the dryer. But if the stain is still clinging on, simply repeat the pre-treating steps mentioned before putting it through another dry cycle.