Remove ice-cream stains
Depending on the type, ice-cream consists of many different ingredients such as milk, cream, protein, fruit, fruit juice, chocolate or nuts. An ice-cream stain on tablecloth, dining chairs or couch is therefore a mixture of fat, protein and plant color (fruit, coffee, etc.). Thus, it is difficult to remove, since each of these stains requires a different type of treatment.
You can easily remove ice-cream stains from fabric with cold water, salt and gall soap or meerschaum powder.
Cold water, salt and gall soap
Cold water is suitable as a first aid measure. It prevents the stain from penetrating too deeply, preventing the protein from sticking to the fibers and becoming impossible to remove. Protein coagulates at over 40°C and is fixed in the fabric by heat. Some of the plant color also comes out in this first step. Mineral water is better than tap water because the carbonic acid supports the detachment.
Salt helps against the dyes. Sprinkle the wet stain with salt and leave to soak. Rinse with water after a few minutes. If there are any leftovers, repeat.
Cold water cannot get at the fat content in the stain. Gall soap helps here. Sprinkle the remainder of the stain with gall soap, pat in lightly and leave to take effect. Then wash normally.
Use meerschaum powder instead of gall soap for sensitive textiles
Meerschaum powder consists of magnesium silicate and is available in drugstores and pharmacies. Sprinkle the stain generously, gently pat the powder in and do not rub hard. Leave on for 5-10 minutes and gently dab with a soft cloth. Then wash the garment or vacuum if it is a carpet. Repeat for stubborn stains.
The general rule
Do not rub hard and work from the outside in to avoid enlarging the stain.
