22 Tips for Removing Stains from Clothing

General Stain Removal Tips

The most important step a person can take when dealing with stains is to act quickly before the staining substance has a chance to set into the fabric’s fibers. First, try to blot away as much of the substance as possible with a clean paper towel, then proceed with the recommended stain removal technique that is most appropriate to eliminate the particular staining agent.

Removing Common Stains

Stains are not all alike. This is because the properties of the substance that caused the stain will have a different chemical composition than most other substances. Clothing is vulnerable to staining from a number of common culprits which, over time, have been found to respond well to certain stain removal techniques.

Antiperspirant/Deodorant

To remove antiperspirant or deodorant stains, use white vinegar to soak the stain for a half hour. Launder or hand wash the item using an enzyme detergent like Tide or Wisk in the warmest water the fabric can withstand.
A second method for removing antiperspirant stains is to rub some liquid detergent into the stain and let it set for ten minutes. Then, wash the garment as recommended by the manufacturer.

Blood

Never use hot water when trying to remove a blood stain because hot water will cook the proteins within the blood, setting the stain. If a blood stain is fresh, soak the stain in cold water with some ammonia for twenty minutes, then wash normally. If the stain has already dried, dampen it with warm water, then apply an unseasoned meat tenderizer to the stain, making a paste with the water. Cover the stain with plastic wrap to keep the paste moist and let it set overnight. Rinse the paste off with water mixed with a little ammonia and then wash normally.
Another method to remove blood stains is to soak the stain with hydrogen peroxide, but care must be taken when using this method because hydrogen peroxide may cause colors to bleed. To test the colorfastness of a fabric, apply a dab of hydrogen peroxide to an inconspicuous area on the clothing item to see how the color reacts. Rinse the hydrogen peroxide off the stain with cool water and wash as usual.

Candle Wax

Freeze the wax stain by applying an ice cube directly on the wax. Once the wax is frozen hard, scrape it off using a butter knife or plastic scraper. Launder or hand wash with liquid detergent and regular liquid bleach for white fabrics, or color - safe bleach for colored fabrics in the hottest water recommended for the fabric.

Coffee

Coffee stains can be removed in two ways. One approach is to apply a pre-treatment of liquid bleach for whites and color-safe bleach for colors onto the stain, letting it set before washing normally. Alternatively, a soaking solution can be made with one part vinegar mixed with four parts water. Soak the stain until the coffee is removed before washing regularly.

Dye Stains

Dye stains appear on fabrics during the laundry process when the dye from one clothing item bleeds into the water and discolors another fabric. To increase the chance of removing the dye stain, do not let the fabric of the stained clothing item dry. Re-launder the stained item immediately with laundry detergent and regular bleach for whites or color-safe bleach for colors. If the dye stain is still visible, repeat the washing process again.

Fruit Juice

Soak the fruit juice stain in cold water, and then rub bar soap into the stain. Launder the item immediately with laundry detergent and the appropriate bleach for white or colored fabric.

Grass

To remove grass stains, gently apply a fabric stain remover to the stained area and let it set for at least five minutes. Then, wash the clothing item using detergent plus the appropriate bleach for the color.

Ink

Douse the ink stain with rubbing alcohol or an alcohol-based hair spray and rub it in with a dry cloth or paper towel. Pre-treat the stained area with laundry detergent by rubbing it directly into the stain and launder normally.

Lipstick

A lipstick stain should be pre-treated with a fabric stain remover, rubbing alcohol, hair spray, or ammonia before the stained clothing item is washed normally.

Mustard, Ketchup, and Salsa

Use a color-safe bleach to pre-treat the stain and wash the item in the hottest water possible with laundry detergent. Repeat the process again if the stain still remains.

Oils, Grease, and Butter

Oil-based stains can be removed by using a number of different techniques. Rubbing alcohol can act as a grease solvent and should be rubbed into a stain. To test for colorfastness before applying the rubbing alcohol, apply a little bit to the fabric in an area that will not be seen. Then, apply liquid detergent to the stain and rub it in. Lastly, wash the clothing item in the hottest water recommended for the fabric.
A second method is the warm iron method. Sandwich the stained area between two paper towels and press a warm iron over the area so the oil will be released into the paper towels. Then, add a laundry detergent directly to the stain and wash in the hottest water possible.

Toothpaste

Toothpaste seems innocent enough but it can stain clothing, especially if the toothpaste contains peroxide. Dealing with the stain immediately increases the chance of its successful removal. First, try to rub the toothpaste away using warm water. If that isn’t sufficient, make a solution with three tablespoons ammonia mixed into one cup water and pat into the stain. Alternatively, liquid dish detergent diluted with a little bit of water can be used. Rinse the stained area and launder or hand wash normally.

Red Wine

There are a number of methods to use when dealing with red wine stains. One approach to remove a fresh red wine stain is to liberally pour salt onto the stain without rubbing it in and let it set on the stain for two minutes, then rinse with warm water before washing with detergent and the appropriate bleach for whites or colors. Another approach consists of creating a thick paste of baking soda and water and applying it liberally to the stain. Cover the paste with plastic wrap to ensure it doesn’t dry and let it set for a few hours, then wash as directed with the first method.
If the red wine stain is dried, soaking the stain in white wine can help to bleach it out. After the red wine has disappeared, wash the clothing item normally.


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