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Q. Now, already, another problem....I was sixty last Friday and was feted by family and friends....being given what seems like a florist's shop full of flowers...all beautiful!

I could really kick myself because I did know somewhere deep in my mind that pollen from lilies stains....but in my joy I didn't remove the stamens!

Shutting a window I brushed against the lilies and now have a stain down the front of a pink pleated polyester skirt....not something I wash often! It is a good quality skirt (Eastex) and I have tried using oxyclean to soak the stain and then a gentle hand wash in the machine but although it has lightened it is still there!

I have looked on your site but thought I'd just check that nothing further has come to light since then! I don't hold out much hope, but wanted to update you on the car anyway....

With many thanks, June, for the taking the trouble to run your site...thereby helping the likes of me, Best wishes,
A. Firstly, congratulations on your recent birthday; you are nearly (but not quite) as old as me! You sound as if you had a really lovely time and are very much appreciated. I hope the pollen incident hasn't spoilt it for you.

Even though I know the problem pollen can cause I still find it impossible to remove stamens from lillies when I receive them as this seems to spoil the flowers.

Unfortunately, pollen is one of the most difficult stains to remove especially when moisture is added as this sets the stain making it virtually impossible to remove. The best thing to do, and I realise this is too late for you on this occasion, is don't be tempted to brush off the pollen with your hand as the oil from your skin makes matters worse. Best to allow the stain to "dry" a little then carefully use a soft, clean, dry brush to brush it off or a facial tissue, even sticky tape can work. Any remaining residue can usually be removed by putting the stain in direct sunlight for a few hours.

I must stress at this point that I cannot guarantee results, any remedy is undertaken at your own risk. Test on a hidden area first.

You may like to try rubbing some hand dishwashing liquid into the stain with your finger, then wash in water as hot as the label allows, although as you have already tried Oxyclean without success this may not be any better.

You may care to try 3% or 6% hydrogen peroxide (1 part to 6 parts water). Dab on stain, then wash in water as hot as fabric label allows. Alternatively, dab on stain a leave in sunlight but watch carefully for any adverse reaction.

Denatured alcohol (http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/eserv/eclipse.ecl?PROCID=WEBPROC.WOE.AUTH&AUTOLOG=YES&ID_1=1207&CLEV=4&TRACKNO=0) can also be used dab onto stain, then rinse with a little warm water. I don't know where you are located so am not sure if this is a suitable site.

There are also some specialist stain removal products available such as http://www.diytools.co.uk/diy/Main/product-2.asp?iProductID=35388

I hope this is of some help.

By the way you can sometimes find solutions to problems on my sister site at www.askjune.com. This is a very basic site where I place all responses given to people queries.

Best of luck.