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57675
by rescuer 02 Feb 2014 ( edited Feb 03'14 05:31 )
+43

Update: I have given up and made the hat smaller by stitching the stain into the seam allowance. It will have to be part of my example stash. Thank you all for the help and searching. I can only guess the heat from the iron made the stain "set" plus my hands are sore and tired of solvents now. LOL

Someone (nobody will fess up) used my iron and put blue sticky residue on it. I thought I was the last one to use the iron. I knew it was clean as I had recently ironed white cotton fabric.
Tonight, I ironed in dim light...this is what happened (see the first and second pictures). Is there any way to clean the blue off of it? The fabric is 100% cotton interlock.
I have made another (see third picture shown so you know what I am doing) -- but I would rather fix the first one also.

3 images:
[1]
[2]
[3]
Comments (17)
463429
by sewmom 02 Feb 2014
+5
I can't see the blue stuff well. Is it melted plastic or goo?
15 comments
by sewmom 02 Feb 2014
Could it be warmed up and pulled off or scraped off?
by rescuer 02 Feb 2014
It acts like blue dye -- from ink or denim pants maybe?? Since nobody did it -- I am not sure what it is.
by rescuer 02 Feb 2014
I tried heating it and pulling on it without success. I also washed it using oxy-bleach. It is still wet.
by sewmom 02 Feb 2014
Right.... Nobody lives here too.
I think hair spray gets ink out but I would google that first.
by rescuer 02 Feb 2014
It does -- most of the time. I have not tried that yet.
by rescuer 02 Feb 2014
I think we have an uninvited guest living here. Too many strange things happen and nobody did it! LOL
by sewmom 02 Feb 2014
I just Goggled it, hair spray, hand sanitizer, rubbing alcohol, and milk. I actually used the rubbing alcohol on a sharpie stain and it worked!
by rescuer 02 Feb 2014
All of them together? I mean at the same time?
by sewmom 02 Feb 2014
No, not all together. Try one, rinse it out. If it doesn't work try a different one.
by sewmom 02 Feb 2014
You really have to try the alcohol on a sharpie stain. Write on a rag if you have to. I had it on a comforter and it sat for months (because it was in my daughter's dorm room). When she brought it home I used the alcohol, it was like magic!
by rescuer 02 Feb 2014
I will try the alcohol...next.
by bevintex 02 Feb 2014
you could stuff it for a pin cushion
by rescuer 02 Feb 2014
The alcohol is making it less blue...but not gone yet.
by sewmom 02 Feb 2014
I think I washed it like regular laundry after the alcohol.
by rescuer 02 Feb 2014
Thanks. I will give that a try.
67271
by bevintex 02 Feb 2014
+6
an applique over it maybe
4 comments
by bevintex 02 Feb 2014
will it work as a liner for the 2nd one,double insulated
by rescuer 02 Feb 2014
It might work as a liner. I am not sure how to do an applique at the top like that.
by bevintex 02 Feb 2014
if all else fails turn it over and use as a thread catcher
by rescuer 02 Feb 2014
Funny Bev!
173695
by cfidl 02 Feb 2014
+5
The only other thing I can think of is the cleaning pen. Clorox has one without the bleach, or the stain remover that comes with the home dry cleaning kit.
1 comment
by rescuer 02 Feb 2014
I tried the Clorox pen, it didn't work. I think I will try the alcohol and hope I rinsed the fabric well enough. LOL
5271
by sandyqueen 02 Feb 2014
+6
You could try Goo Gone which I have used a lot. Let us know if you do and what the results are.

SQ
1 comment
by rescuer 02 Feb 2014
I know i have some of that around here someplace. I may have to try that too.
66927
by graceandham 02 Feb 2014
+6
I'm logging in late and hope it's solved. Just here to vouch for hairspray. Very similar to dry cleaning solvent. I once had a student break a pen on purpose and flip it at a student in a brand new white jacket. The kid way crying, gift from Mom, brand new, etc. and I gave him my mini can of hairspray and a hall pass to the restroom. 30 mins. later he was back and the ink was ALL gone.
1 comment
by rescuer 02 Feb 2014
I know it has worked for me before. I wonder if the heat from the iron is hindering the ability for it to work. I have it soaking in it now.
255054
by airyfairy 02 Feb 2014
+5
OH dear, I hate to say it but I do not think you will get that off. Here in SA we have a wonderful iron plate cleaner which is a cream. If all else fails I would put a bit of cream on to the material and with a hot clean iron try to get it off. I really feel for you. Sarah
2 comments
by rescuer 02 Feb 2014
Thank you, I will try to find some. If it is very costly though -- I will just use the fabric another way.
by airyfairy 02 Feb 2014
It certainly isn't costly here.
89895
by capoodle 02 Feb 2014
+4
Found this post on scorching the iron leaves. Another thing is if the melted part is still on top of the fibers I might try a razor blade to lightly scrape some off. Then a few times being washed it may disappear.

http://everydaylife.globalpost.com/iron-marks-out-clothes-27445.html
1 comment
by rescuer 02 Feb 2014
Thank you. I tried -- but it seems to be quite set in the fabric.
140717
by spendlove 02 Feb 2014
+5
I hope that by now the problem is solved. If not, drink the alcohol but avoid the other solvents!
3 comments
by asterixsew 02 Feb 2014
lol
by sewmom 02 Feb 2014
At first I giggled but just in case anything gets lost In translation I want to clarify that I was talking about rubbing alcohol and you do not drink rubbing alcohol.

Now you may return to giggling.
by rescuer 02 Feb 2014
LOL thanks Sue for more than just the laughs!
88650
by manami 02 Feb 2014
+3
Have you tried nail polish remover (acetone)?
1 comment
by rescuer 02 Feb 2014
Yes, I tried that. I even let it soak for several minutes.
11929
by dennis999 02 Feb 2014
+5
I did a search on this subject and the only reference I could find to a blue sticky substance related to stains and deposits caused by Blu Tack. Most of these dealt with removing the grease-like stains left by this product on walls but I did find two links, one dealing with removing Blue Tack from carpets and the other from wool. I don't know if either will help but I have put the links in below. The one common denominator in all of the 'cures' appeared to be the use of a citrus based cleaning agent. Anyway, I hope that you have some success.
1 comment
by rescuer 02 Feb 2014
Thank you Dennis for the search. I did try a few of the things. I even resorted to Duct Tape -- to no avail.
23282
by sewilso 02 Feb 2014
+4
Your hat turned out cute!! Hope you have the sticky off by now. I keep a product called goof off, it's a little harsh though, if the alcohol doesn't work you might try it. Alcohol does remove ink and sticky residue too like others said here.
1 comment
by rescuer 02 Feb 2014
Thanks so much! I can only imagine it is "set for life" s nothing I have tried has worked.
463429
by sewmom 02 Feb 2014
+4
Sorry to hear nothing worked. How about taking it apart and putting a stripe of fabric across the top?
1 comment
by rescuer 02 Feb 2014
That might work. I will have to think about it. I may just use it on a doll for display.
158718
by jrob 02 Feb 2014
+4
I somehow missed the hat mystery. It's an adorable hat, anyway. "Nobody" does all kinds of mischief here and "I don't know" is her accomplice.
1 comment
by rescuer 03 Feb 2014
It is good to know I am not alone..."Nobody" needs to stop touching my stuff. ;)
86901
by highlandermom 03 Feb 2014
+2
Such a cute hat. Most of suggestions I already thought of are here.
1 comment
by rescuer 03 Feb 2014
Thanks -- I wish one had worked. But all is not lost as I do have the one to give tomorrow.
15626
by haleymax 03 Feb 2014
+2
Maybe adding a short tassel would cover it. Perhaps a piece of ribbon in pink with the babies initials embroidered on it before sewing it onto cap.
1 comment
by rescuer 03 Feb 2014
Thanks for the ideas. I do hope I won't have a repeat of this though. But I have been thinking about adding some frills.
23282
by sewilso 03 Feb 2014
+3
So sorry, there isn't a soul that will touch mine, lol! They need to but they won't. My mom would iron everything back in the day but not the newer generation that come to visit.
You don't think it's possible it could be gum do you? Ice and a dull knife works on that but if it had been that then the other stuff should have worked. I see you've fixed what you have. Thought I would throw that out there.
3 comments
by rescuer 03 Feb 2014
I cleaned the iron with an SOS pad. I think it may have been misuse of an iron...like trying to stick ink to polyester?? The stuff on the iron was very sticky and blue.
I have a "spare" iron that anyone can use. This iron is mine and I thought everyone knew better.
by gerryb 03 Feb 2014
I bet they know it now!
by airyfairy 03 Feb 2014
Irons are like scissors - don't touch!!!
89895
by capoodle 03 Feb 2014
+2
Back for your update and remembered I used a white paper napkin and put it over the spot and had the heat of the iron lift it off. Took a few pressings and moving of the napkin.
1 comment
by rescuer 03 Feb 2014
I didn't try a napkin, but I did use a rag. I tried with steam and dry as well.