Help, how would you get these stains out?

[MyNameIsInigoMontoya]

I have a nearly-new (Ebay) bridesmaid's dress I'm meant to wear, but it has a number of stains that weren't mentioned in the description - we don't know what they are (could be liquid, grease, ....?) - they are just darker blobs.

We thought we could just get it dry cleaned and they would know what to do, but the label says 30 degree machine wash only! It is polyester outside, nylon inside and a sort of shimmery, two-tone finish. It has a shaped bodice and draped folds from one side, so I don't want to machine wash it more than once in case it loses its shape or gets too faded (I'll be standing next to other bridesmaids in brand new ones).

So I think the options are: Either just wash it (but then risk having to treat stains and then wash again if they don't come out first time), or spot-treat the stains and then wash. At the moment I have Vanish, a German stain remover my mum swears by, or washing-up liquid (which seems to work best on grease spots for me).

What would you advise? I think if I can get the spots most of the way out, the fabric finish will hide them, but I am scared of ruining the dress! Thank you.

[youmaycallmeSSP]

Use the stain treatments on a discreet area first, rinse out that bit by hand and air dry. If all ok then spot-treat the marks and machine wash.

Or return to seller for a refund as per eBay dispute rules.

[MyNameIsInigoMontoya]

Mm, that's more or less what I was thinking, thanks SSP. I've tried a couple of things on the very bottom edge now, as it will need shortening anyway so it won't matter if it goes wrong there. If that is OK I'll spot-treat and then wash tomorrow.

We'll complain to the seller if necessary, only trouble is, if we have to send this one back we'll just have to get a replacement, probably new and full price, instead! So as the budget's already tight, I'm keeping my fingers crossed I can get this one wearable again...

[NotSoNervous]

I would go with vanish, you can buy the whites version. Put some water on the stained area and cover in vanish then leave for a few hours and it should be gone. It's worked wonders for me

[MyNameIsInigoMontoya]

Well I have treated it with Vanish and then put it on a delicates wash inside a duvet cover for protection, and it's looking good now! No damage and I can't spot any of the stains any more, phew! Thanks for the advice.

[youmaycallmeSSP]

Phew! I bet you were nervous but glad it worked :)