BLOOMIN' ANNOYING
How to remove lily pollen stains from clothes and carpets
Plus how to avoid getting the stains in the first place
LILIES look beautiful for a human but can be dangerous for animals, especially cats.
The flower is toxic to cats and it also stains clothes and carpets.
1
How can you remove lily pollen from clothes?
Vanish recommends to act quick when removing lily pollen from clothes.
The first course of action is to shake your clothes outside and then handle the stained garment with extra care as lily pollen can leave darker stains on the fabric than other pollen.
After removing the pollen, rinse the fabric in cold water, use a stain remover and wash it in a washing machine.
Do not forget to always check the care label for any specific instructions regarding water temperature and washing machine settings.
If shaking doesn’t work then other cleaning hacks include:
- A handheld vacuum cleaner. Use this approximately 1cm away from the clothing and then just wash as normal in the machine afterwards.
- After using a vacuum cleaner you could instead sticky tape on the pollen then rip it off.
- For larger stains rubbing alcohol or the blotting method can work but be sure to ventilate the room and test the solution on a hidden part of the clothing beforehand. Then apply laundry detergent to the clothing and wash it in the machine.
- Soak clothing in cold water - never hot - for half and hour. Rinse them twice and then add stain remover before putting in the wash.
How can you remove lily pollen from carpets?
To avoid getting pollen on your carpet or clothes, cut off the part of the plant that carries the pollen.
Don’t do this directly with your hands or you can end up transferring the pollen.
Wrap a damp tissue or kitchen roll around the plant and remove it that way.
However, if you do get pollen on your carpet, here are some ways to pick it up:
- Use sticky tape. Wrap it around your fingers and pat it over the pollen. Try to remove as much as possible.
- If this fails, run the carpet over with a vacuum cleaner but ensure you don't rub the pollen in.
- Use a home-made potion - one part vinegar and two parts water - to blot the stain. Never rub or brush pollen away. Blot from the outside in.
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Is it poisonous to cats?
Yes. Easter, Asiatic, Rubrum, Stargazer,Day, Tiger lilies and Japanese are all toxic to cats.
This includes every part of the plant including the water in the vase that stores the flowers.
My DIY three-ingredient stain remover works on carpets, clothes and is 'magic' for pee stained mattresses
Signs of poisoning in cats include vomiting, drooling, indigestion and loss of appetite.
Unfortunately, home remedies don’t work for something like this.
Urgent medical care is needed to ensure the cat’s survival.
How to avoid pollen stains
THERE are choices you can make to prevent lily pollen stains causing harm to your pets, carpets and homes.
Here's what you can do:
- If you love the look and not the pollen, opt for synthetic lilies instead
- Choose to display other plants that look similar to lilies but aren’t toxic for cats, such as African violets, polka dot plants, gloxinias, calathea, roses and venus flytrap
- Have the lilies far away from the cats, for example in a room where you don't allow them to roam
- Put a wipeable cloth under your vase to catch any dropped pollen
- Cut off the part of the plant that carries the pollen - but make sure you do this carefully and away from carpets and clothes