Dribble marks are a body stain, so they respond to the same thing as sweat and blood: an enzyme pre-treat or soak, then a normal wash.
| Your situation | Try this |
|---|---|
| White pillowcases and sheets | Soak in a whites stain remover such as Vanish Oxi Action Crystal White (step 2). [2] |
| Coloured pillowcases or T-shirts | Pour a coloured-fabric stain remover on, rub, then a shorter soak (step 2). [2] |
| Baby clothes or sensitive skin | Many parents prefer non-bio detergent for babies. It has no enzymes, so you may need a slightly higher temperature for tough stains. [3] |
| Marks on the pillow itself | Check the pillow's care label before washing it. [5] |
| It went through the dryer | See stains set by the dryer. |
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The American Cleaning Institute's advice for bodily fluids is to pre-treat or soak in a product that contains enzymes, then wash. [1]
Vanish UK, for white pillowcases and sheets: [2]
For coloured bedding: [2]
Wash using a bleach that's safe for the fabric. The American Cleaning Institute suggests chlorine bleach if the fabric allows it, otherwise an oxygen bleach. [1]
Biological detergents work well at lower temperatures, and Dr. Beckmann recommends them for 30 °C and 40 °C washes. [4][7]
Never mix stain removers, especially ammonia and bleach. [5]
Vanish suggests hanging white sheets out to dry on a sunny day instead of tumble drying. [2]
Check the mark has gone before you put the item in a dryer or iron it. [5]