09/18/2019

How to Remove Scorch Marks from Clothing

Think of a laundry mistake, and I’ve probably made it. So, leaving a scorch mark on a pair of Matt’s dress slacks is no exception. It’s been a while since I did that, and all I recall is that they were khaki dress slacks, the mark wasn’t too terrible, and I managed to camouflage it.

According to our resident expert Mike Smith, “Scorch marks are easily removed from natural fibers, if it is a light scorch mark. It’s more difficult to remove if the burn is deeper, or if it’s on something like polyester because the fibers could be melted and ruined.” Take a look at the marks on the fabric; if they are shiny, then those places are where the fabric has melted, and those spots are permanent.

Tips on Removing Scorch Marks:

If as you are ironing make a fresh scorch mark, turn off the iron and immediately soak the garment in cold water for 24 hours. If this removes the mark, launder the item according to the care label and then finish the garment. If that doesn’t work, then move on to step two.
Before trying this step, check for colorfastness on an unnoticeable area, if the fabric doesn’t react to the hydrogen peroxide, then you are safe to move forward with this experiment. Wet a clean, white cloth with hydrogen peroxide then place the cloth over the scorch mark. Iron lightly. Repeat this process over the area until the spot is gone.
A third option is to rinse the area with white vinegar followed by rinsing with water. Repeat this process until the spot is gone or you no longer see improvement.

There are additional home remedies to try, but they can lead to color loss, so we recommend you stop there. If it is still there after trying the above suggestions, bring it by one of our locations, and our expert staff will take a look at it and let you know if anything else can be done to save the garment.