Let's talk about how to get milkshake stains out of a suit. 🧵
derek guy@dieworkwear
67 views
Jun 06, 2024
~2 min read
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Let's talk about how to get milkshake stains out of a suit. 🧵
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I once interviewed Stu Bloom, founder of Rave FabriCARE in Arizona, about this. Rave is one of the best dry cleaners in the United States (they take mail-ins if you're not local). I've seen them rescue clothes that have been damaged by smoke in house fires.
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Milk is a protein, and protein fibers react differently to different types of fibers. If you get a protein stain on silk, it will be very hard to clean. Linen is the next most difficult, followed by wool. Cotton is the easiest because it can be wet-washed.
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If you want to try to clean something at home, you have to be careful about potential interlinings and structure. For instance, a cotton suit will have layers of horsehair and wool inside, which are used for canvas and chest pieces. Even tailored trousers have interlinings.
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Bloom also advised against using pre-treatment methods, such as Tide sticks, on more complicated garments. “You don’t know how those products will react with the dyes,” he said. It's probably a good idea to keep those things away from items like suits.
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My recommendation: If it’s a simple cotton garment that you can stand to lose, try to clean it at home. Milkshakes are mostly made of water, and unlike oil stains, they may come out in the wash. T-shirt or button-up? Blot the excess (don't rub or scrub) and throw it in the wash.
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For expensive items, sentimental garments, or things made from wool, linen, or silk, I think it's best to send the item to a reputable dry cleaner (again, Rave is great). Before sending, it's again a good idea to blot the excess (again, don't rub or scrub).
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When choosing a dry cleaner, ask if they do the cleaning in-house. Such operations are often better than those that outsource their cleaning to indiscriminate cleaning plants. Some info on how to find a good dry cleaner here:
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