Stains are an inevitable part of life, but they don't have to be permanent. With the right techniques, you can effectively remove even the toughest stains from clothing, carpets, upholstery, and linens. Here's how to tackle common stains like wine, chocolate, oil, tomato sauce, gum, coffee, makeup, sweat, ink, paint, and blood.
1. Wine Stains
Clothing and Linens:- Blot Immediately: Blot the stain with a clean cloth to absorb as much wine as possible.
- Cold Water Rinse: Rinse the stain under cold running water.
- Salt: Sprinkle salt on the stain to absorb more wine.
- Soak: Soak in a mixture of cold water and laundry detergent for 30 minutes.
- Wash: Wash as usual.
- Blot: Blot the stain with a clean cloth to remove excess wine.
- Cold Water: Dab with a cloth soaked in cold water.
- Dish Soap and Vinegar Solution: Mix one tablespoon of dish soap, one tablespoon of white vinegar, and two cups of cold water. Apply with a clean cloth.
- Blot Dry: Blot with a dry cloth until the stain is gone.
2. Chocolate Stains
Clothing and Linens:- Scrape Off: Gently scrape off any excess chocolate.
- Cold Water Rinse: Rinse the stain under cold running water.
- Pre-Treat: Apply a pre-treatment stain remover or liquid laundry detergent.
- Wash: Wash in the hottest water safe for the fabric.
- Scrape Off: Scrape off excess chocolate.
- Dish Soap Solution: Mix one tablespoon of dish soap with two cups of warm water. Apply with a clean cloth.
- Blot: Blot the stain with a damp cloth until it’s removed.
- Rinse: Rinse with cold water and blot dry.
3. Oil Stains
Clothing and Linens:- Blot: Blot the stain with a paper towel to absorb excess oil.
- Baking Soda: Sprinkle baking soda on the stain and let it sit for 15 minutes.
- Brush Off: Brush off the baking soda.
- Dish Soap: Apply dish soap directly to the stain and gently scrub.
- Wash: Wash in the hottest water safe for the fabric.
- Blot: Blot the stain with a paper towel.
- Baking Soda: Sprinkle baking soda and let it sit for 15 minutes.
- Vacuum: Vacuum up the baking soda.
- Dish Soap Solution: Mix one tablespoon of dish soap with two cups of warm water. Apply with a clean cloth.
- Blot Dry: Blot with a dry cloth until the stain is gone.
4. Tomato Sauce Stains
Clothing and Linens:- Blot: Blot the stain with a clean cloth to remove excess sauce.
- Cold Water Rinse: Rinse the stain under cold running water.
- Dish Soap and Vinegar: Apply a mixture of dish soap and white vinegar.
- Pre-Treat: Apply a pre-treatment stain remover.
- Wash: Wash as usual.
- Blot: Blot the stain with a clean cloth.
- Dish Soap Solution: Mix one tablespoon of dish soap with two cups of warm water. Apply with a clean cloth.
- Blot Dry: Blot with a dry cloth until the stain is removed.
5. Gum Stains
Clothing and Linens:- Freeze: Place the garment in the freezer to harden the gum.
- Scrape Off: Gently scrape off the gum.
- Pre-Treat: Apply a pre-treatment stain remover.
- Wash: Wash as usual.
- Ice Cubes: Use ice cubes to harden the gum.
- Scrape Off: Scrape off the hardened gum.
- Dish Soap Solution: Apply a dish soap solution to the remaining stain.
- Blot Dry: Blot with a dry cloth until the stain is gone.
6. Coffee Stains
Clothing and Linens:- Cold Water Rinse: Rinse the stain under cold running water.
- Dish Soap and Vinegar: Apply a mixture of dish soap and white vinegar.
- Pre-Treat: Apply a pre-treatment stain remover.
- Wash: Wash as usual.
- Blot: Blot the stain with a clean cloth.
- Dish Soap Solution: Mix one tablespoon of dish soap with two cups of warm water. Apply with a clean cloth.
- Blot Dry: Blot with a dry cloth until the stain is gone.
7. Makeup Stains
Clothing and Linens:- Blot: Blot the stain with a clean cloth.
- Dish Soap: Apply dish soap directly to the stain and gently scrub.
- Pre-Treat: Apply a pre-treatment stain remover.
- Wash: Wash as usual.
- Blot: Blot the stain with a clean cloth.
- Dish Soap Solution: Mix one tablespoon of dish soap with two cups of warm water. Apply with a clean cloth.
- Blot Dry: Blot with a dry cloth until the stain is gone.
8. Sweat Stains
Clothing and Linens:- Baking Soda Paste: Make a paste with baking soda and water. Apply to the stain and let sit for 30 minutes.
- Rinse: Rinse with cold water.
- Wash: Wash in the hottest water safe for the fabric.
9. Ink Stains
Clothing and Linens:- Rubbing Alcohol: Apply rubbing alcohol to the stain and blot with a clean cloth.
- Rinse: Rinse with cold water.
- Pre-Treat: Apply a pre-treatment stain remover.
- Wash: Wash as usual.
- Rubbing Alcohol: Apply rubbing alcohol to the stain and blot with a clean cloth.
- Dish Soap Solution: Apply a dish soap solution to the remaining stain.
- Blot Dry: Blot with a dry cloth until the stain is gone.
10. Paint Stains
Clothing and Linens:- Blot: Blot the stain with a clean cloth.
- Rubbing Alcohol: Apply rubbing alcohol to the stain and gently scrub.
- Pre-Treat: Apply a pre-treatment stain remover.
- Wash: Wash as usual.
- Blot: Blot the stain with a clean cloth.
- Dish Soap Solution: Apply a dish soap solution to the stain.
- Blot Dry: Blot with a dry cloth until the stain is gone.
11. Blood Stains
Clothing and Linens:- Cold Water Rinse: Rinse the stain under cold running water.
- Hydrogen Peroxide: Apply hydrogen peroxide to the stain and let it fizz.
- Blot: Blot with a clean cloth.
- Pre-Treat: Apply a pre-treatment stain remover.
- Wash: Wash as usual.
- Cold Water: Apply cold water to the stain and blot with a clean cloth.
- Hydrogen Peroxide: Apply hydrogen peroxide and let it fizz.
- Blot Dry: Blot with a dry cloth until the stain is gone.