For kimchi stain on cotton and blends: Before it dries, flush cold water through the back of the fabric. Follow the steps below and most of these come out without a trip to the cleaner.
Kimchi liquid is two stains at once: carotenoid pigment and oil. Water alone leaves the colour, detergent alone leaves the grease. Order matters โ break the oil with dishwashing liquid first, then treat the pigment. The pigment also fades in sunlight, so a faint remaining mark often disappears while the garment dries outside.
Method by fabric
Cotton and blends
What you need
- Dishwashing liquid
- Mild detergent
- Cold water
Steps
- 1Flush from the back with cold water.
- 2Work in a little dishwashing liquid and leave for five minutes.
- 3Soak for twenty minutes in cold water with a mild detergent.
- 4Rinse cold, check, and repeat once if any colour remains.
- 5Dry in the shade.
Caution
On coloured fabric, test any bleach on a hidden seam first.
Never do this
- Rinsing with hot water first โ heat sets the pigment
- Rubbing the stain โ it spreads the mark outward
- Tumble drying before it is gone โ heat locks it in permanently