General tips and tricks for stain removal
Weird Wood Stain #2: Stain Wood with Kool-Aid, Mustard, and MORE
- Wet stains are always easier to remove than difficult stains.
- Consider keeping a stain marker in your bag or car so stains can be dealt with quickly.
- Use proper blotting technique to remove excess stain before rinsing area with cool water.
- Never put a dirty item in the dryer until you are sure the stain is gone. Otherwise, drying will set the stain and make it permanent.
Remove rust and deposits in a washing machine with Kool
The citric acid in lemon or orange Kool-Aid will help break down buildup in your washer. Basically, Kool-Aid powder is a cleaning powerhouse!
Run 1/4 cup of Lemon or Orange Kool-Aid in a regular wash cycle without clothes, repeating as needed.
shhh If cleaning is your thing, check out theseHome Cleaning Tips!
How to remove Kool Aid from the skin
This article was written in collaboration withDr. Chris M. Matsko. dr. Chris M. Matsko is a retired physician living in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. With more than 25 years of experience in medical research, Dr. Matsko received the Leadership Award for Excellence from Pittsburgh Cornell University. He received a BS in nutrition from Cornell University and an MD from Temple University School of Medicine in 2007. Matsko earned a Research Writing Certification from the American Association of Medical Writers in 2016 and a Writing Certification and University of Chicago Medical Edition in 2017. WikiHow marks an article as Reader Approved once it receives enough positive comments. In this case, 100% of the readers who voted found the article useful, earning it Reader Approved status. This article has been viewed 313,211 times.
Kool Aid often stains hands, mouth, and skin. It's fairly easy to remove Kool Aid stains with soap and water, but if that doesn't work, you may need to use other means. A variety of household products can successfully remove Kool Aid.
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how to get cool
Do you know how to get Kool-Aid out of clothes? Having trouble removing Kool-Aid stains? How long does it take to remove a Kool-Aid stain? Any quick tips or tricks to remove stains? What to do if a dry-clean item gets Kool-Aid on it?
The beloved drink of children around the world, Kool-Aid is the polluting bane of our existence. Try cold water and a clean blotter, ice water and borax, boiling water, detergent, and a paste of baking soda, vinegar, and a denture tablet, Oxiclean, or a steam iron to remove the stain. The faster you remove the stain, the better chance you have of getting it out.
This article provides solutions for Kool-Aid stains and how to deal with many other stains! The techniques shown here will help you understand why Kool-Aid stains clothes, which clothes are easier to remove than other stains, and even how to remove Kool-Aid stains from carpet.
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S Staining of wood with food coloring:
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How to Stain Untreated Wood with Kool
This post and photos may contain Amazon or other affiliate links. If you purchase something through any link, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Material used may be made available to me free of charge, but all projects and opinions are my own.
May 12, 2014
Do you drink Kool Aid? Their children?
I don't drink it, but I brew with it.
Kool-Aid as a craft material? Yeah!
You can use Kool-Aid as a stain on bare wood! It works like magic!
I bought this unfinished wooden treasure chest at the craft store to color with Kool-Aid:
I wanted the box to be a deep purple, so I poured 5 packets of Kool-Aid Sugar Free Drink Mix into a mason jar. I slowly added some ready-to-drink Kool-Aid and stirred until I was satisfied with the color.
Above:With the color violet, the liquid looks almost black. That's fine as it dries to a beautiful shade of purple.
Using a small foam brush and rubber gloves, I simply painted sections over the Kool-Aid, one section at a time.
I gave the box two quick coats of Kool-Aid, both inside and out, then let them dry overnight on white paper towels and a trash bag in case the paint faded.
Above:For the purple color, the box appeared almost black when wet. Again, don't be alarmed as it will dry out in onea lotbeautiful shade!
Here's a picture of the box drying so you can see what I mean:
And that's it!
I love how rich and weathered the wood looks!
Get even more stain and stain removal help here
Are you a stain magnet like me? If so, check them out.A to Z stain removal guidethe instructions for thereHow to remove more than 100 types of stainsof all kinds of surfaces.
Also, here are some other stain removal guides you may need!
Kool-Aid jar photo ofjeffisageck
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Hi, I'm Taylor, a busy mom of 3 kids, so I have a lot of hands-on experience with house cleaning, laundry, and my fair share of stains, spills, and other messy messes. Thank you for your visit to my site.
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Why do dyes stain clothes?
Dyes are usually transparent with small transmitter molecules that allow light to pass through. A dye can be suspended in oil-, water-, or alcohol-based media. The dyes used for wood products are very similar to those used for clothing.
Water-based stains are long-lasting but can fade over time. Alcohol-based dyes fade a bit faster, while oil-based dyes tend to fade faster than others. Unfortunately, since Kool-Aid is a water-based stain, you can expect long-lasting, effective coloring.
How to approach stain removal
Can you stain wood with Kool-Aid?
The stains are difficult to remove. Mustard, for example, is as notorious as red Kool-Aid. Mustard fixes stains with a complex chemical reaction. When you think you've removed the stain, it may change from yellow to orange or red. The type of fiber, the type of substance that stains, and the amount of time the substance has been in contact with the clothing all have a direct impact on removal efforts.
While they are not listed in the techniques below, DO NOT forget the effectiveness of your average stain remover stick or spray.
When removing a stain, approach the process knowing that:
- It is likely that there will be several sessions
- The process may take longer than expected
- Fresh stains have the highest chance of removal
Stains require strong solutions such as bleach, enzymes, hydrogen peroxide, or special solvents to dissolve and remove the stain.
Chlorine bleach and oxygenated bleach loosen the stain particles from the fabric by breaking the bonds between the stain and the fibers, or render the fabric colorless by oxidation. Oxygen bleach is safe for whites and colors, while chlorine bleach is only for whites. Oxygen bleach can be purchased on its own or as part of a laundry detergent like OxiClean.
Keep in mind that all bleach can damage clothing. Follow all product instructions before use.
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The chemistry behind the stains
If you know the chemistry behind stains, you can more easily remove them. For obvious reasons, the spots have numerous sources. Most stains come from food or drink spills, and the type of food determines the nature, severity, and color of the stain.
The stains are a chemical reaction between the coloring substance and another material. This material does not have to be clothing specifically. Wood, walls, concrete and many others are affected, but stains are always the result of a chemical reaction.
Stains form when molecules of a dye substance coat a material and become trapped within the fibers, pores, or cells. This coating forms the unsightly stain that reflects visible light waves in its characteristic color. For example, when Hot Red Lipstick is smeared on a blouse, all colors except red light waves are absorbed and this is the color we perceive as Hot Red.
However, the type of fabric or material can change the color of the stain. If it is a natural material such as cotton, silk or wool, the fibers will swell with water and the stain will penetrate deeply, resulting in a live stain. When the material is man-made, water-based substances often have minimal effect, while oil-based stains are absorbed.
The origin of the material can also affect the intensity and color of the spots. Because of this, Kool-Aid dyes natural fibers much more deeply than man-made fabrics. This is also why Kool-Aid is easier to remove from some clothes but not from others.
clean your toilet
Kool-Aid drink mix packets come in all sorts of flavors, butThe most useful flavor is lemonade., hands down! packets oflemonade drink mixThey contain citric acid, which is an excellent cleaning agent in areas where minerals accumulate, such as the kitchen and bathroom.
You can use a packet of Lemonade Kool-Aid Mix to clean out the toilet bowl! Simply sprinkle the powder around your toilet bowl and use your toilet brush to give it a good scrub.
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When to call a professional
If the garment is labeled dry clean only, blot as much of the drink stain as possible with a white paper towel. Go to the dry cleaner as soon as possible and point out the stainprofessional cleanerto help them choose the right treatment. The same goes for a stain that damages silk upholstery or vintage upholstery and clothing. Contact a professional cleaner, otherwise you'll likely do more damage if you try to remove the stain yourself.
Choosing a stain remover
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Natural and homemade wood stain
There are many naturally-derived dye options that are long-lasting and attractive. Some of them are metal based and some are plant based. Here are some good examples:
coffee or tea
Prepare a very strong coffee or tea. Let cool. Dip a clean rag into the mixture and wipe the wood with it. You may want to use a test piece first to see how dark your wood will turn out. You may also need more than one coat to get the color you want.
water based ink
There are many water-based paints that work well for coloring. Again, test in an inconspicuous location first.
onion peels
Soak the onion skins in warm water to get a nice yellow color. Depending on your wood, the resulting color can be anything from a pale yellow to a warm amber.
black walnut shells
If you're lucky enough to have a black walnut nearby, you can dry the hulls and soak them in water. Shehas tofirst dried to achieve a dark brown color. If they are not dry, the result can be an ugly cloudy green. Dilute with water until you get the right shade.
steel wool and vinegar
Vinegar helps break down metal compounds. Place a piece of regular steel wool in a jar and cover it with vinegar. Leave to act for about 24 hours and then remove the pad.
Vinegar also helps develop the tannins present in all woods, resulting in a darker color after staining. So apply your first coat and then wait about 20 minutes. You will see a big change!
indigo the pasture
Wood stains are expensive and quite toxic See how to stain wood with Kool
Between the artificial colors and refined sweeteners, Kool-Aid isn't particularly healthy for your kids. ThisArtificial dyes may not be good for your body, but if you have untreated wood, it makes a great stain!
Laura Kuhlmann of Pet Scribbles shows you how to stain wood with a simple Kool-Aid based stain. Don't you just love how vivid her finished project looks? You only need a few simple materials to make your own Kool-Aid wood stain:
- 5 packets of Kool-Aid sugar free drink mix
- Bottle of ready-to-drink Kool-Aid in the same flavor
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How to Remove Kool Aid Stains From Clothes With Boiling Water
Other possible questions about Kool-Aids stains include:
Removing Kool Aid Stains From Clothes
Carpet Cleaning: Removing a Kool-Aid Carpet Stain
Paso 1:previous treatmentclothing or fabric withliquid detergent, cover the stain with the detergent. Then let it act for a few minutes.
Step 2: Rinse the detergent and the stained area with cold water.
Step 3: If this doesn't remove the stain, proceed to Step 4. Otherwise, wash in the hottest water the fabric can take the stain with, and so on.chlorine bleachif fabric permits, or colorfast bleach if not.
Tip: Make sure the stain is gone after washing, but before putting it in the dryer, or you can fix it. Repeat if necessary.
Step 4: If the above method did not remove the stain, create a new one.trapped solutionSoak the fabric for at least 30 minutes, possibly even overnight. This soaking solution should containoxygen bleachand water.
Note: See the about article for more tips.remove food coloring stains.
Step 5 – After soaking, follow Step 3 above and wash as directed.
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How to Remove Kool Aid Stains From Upholstery
Step 1: Mix a solution of two cups of cold water and one tablespoondishwashing liquid, and a tablespoon ofWhite wine vinegar.
Step 2: Using this solution, blot the Kool Aid stain with a clean white cloth.
Tip: With any of these suggested stain removal solutions, be sure to wet the upholstery only enough to remove the Kool Aid stain.
Step 3: Next, blot the stain until the liquid is absorbed.
Step 4: Repeat steps 2-3 until the stains are removed from the upholstery, or at least as much as possible.
Step 5 – Now take clean cold water and a new white cloth and sponge the area to remove the cleaning solution and then dry.
Step 6: When the stain is gone, stop. If not, then the stain swam with it.brandy inglés, apply the Kool Aid stain until as much of it as possible comes off.
Step 7: Now take clean cold water and a new white cloth and use a sponge to wipe the area to remove any alcohol and then pat dry.
Step 8: When the stain is gone, stop. If not, then mix a solution of two cups of cold water, one tablespoon of dish soap, and one tablespoonAmmonia.
Step 9: Sponge the stain with this solution using a clean white cloth.
Note: Ammonia can be harmful to some upholstery, so be sure to test this solution on an inconspicuous area first to ensure you don't damage the upholstery.
Step 10: Sponge the upholstery with the ammonia solution and blot until the stain is removed.
Make Kool Window Clings
Pour Kool-Aid into a bottle of school glue and mix well with a long, thin utensil such as a toothpick.
Use the glue to create artwork on canvas or paper, or try creating designs on stretched plastic sheets that can dry and use as window film.
Above:If using more than one color per gel adhesive design, allow each color to dry first or colors may run together.
This is a little messier than Kool-Aid putty, but we think it's worth it.
Want the best deal on Elmers Glue? We have onecoupon pagefor this.
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