How to Remove Common Stains From Clothes (2023)

Equipment / Tools

Materials

How to Remove Oil and Grease Stains

Oil stains should be treated as soon as possible by sprinkling the fabric with a thick layer of cornstarch or baby powder to help absorb the oil. This can often make the stain disappear and, if not, will make stain removal later much easier.

1. Blot the Stain

   • Use a paper towel to blot oily drips.
   • If there are greasy solids on the fabric, lift them away with the edge of a credit card or a dull knife.

   

2. Treat with Dishwashing Liquid

   • Lay the garment on a flat surface and add a few drops of dishwashing liquid to the stain.
   • Rub the stain remover into the fabric with your fingers or an old toothbrush until the fabric is completely saturated.
     
   • Let it sit for at least 10 minutes - up to an hour is even better to give the dishwashing liquid time to begin breaking apart the stain molecules so you can flush them away from the fabric.

   

   (Video) How to Remove Stains From Clothes At Home Better Than The Dry Cleaner

3. Rinse and Wash

   • Finally, rinse the fabric in warm water if you can't wash the garment right away.
   • If you can toss it directly in the washing machine, no need to rinse it.
   • After washing, make sure the stain is completely gone before you move the garment to the dryer. The high heat can permanently set the grease stain.

   

How to Remove Red Wine Stains

Red wine will come out of clothes but the stains can be stubborn.If possible, treat the stain immediately—and never put a wine-stained fabric in a hot dryer, as the heat will set the stain and make removal almost impossible.

1. Blot and Absorb the Stain

   • Begin by blotting the fresh stain with a paper towel.
   • Sprinkle table salt generously onto the stain to help absorb the wine.
   • Let it sit on a fresh wine stain for at least one hour.
     

   

2. Mix a Vinegar and Laundry Detergent Solution

   • In a small bowl, mix 1/2 cup of distilled whitevinegarand one teaspoon of liquid laundry detergent. The vinegar neutralizes the red and purple pigments in the wine, while the detergent helps clean the fabric.
   • Apply the mixture to the stain with a soft-bristled brush.
   • Slip the garment or table linen into a plastic bag and let it sit overnight.
     

   

3. Rinse and Wash

   • Rinse the area with cool water.
   • If the stain is gone, you should wash the garment as you usually would.
   • If the stain remains, repeat the steps.

How to Remove Grass Stains

Grass stains are a mixture of proteins from the dirt, but mostly they are made of chlorophyll from the plant. Chlorophyll produces a dye stain that is tough to remove.

1. Soak the Stain in Vinegar

   • Pour enough white vinegar into a small bowl to submerge the stain area of the clothes.
   • Allow the stain to sit and soak for 30 minutes.
     

   

2. Scrub with Baking Soda Paste

   • If the grass stain remains after soaking in vinegar, make a paste of 2 tablespoons of baking soda and 1 teaspoon of water.
   • Spread the paste on the stain, and scrub with an old toothbrush.
   • Let the paste work for at least 15 minutes.
     

   

   (Video) HOW TO REMOVE COMMON CLOTHING STAINS

3. Rinse and Wash the Garment

   • Rinse the area with cool water.
   • Wash the garment as you usually would.
     

   

How to Remove Ink Stains

Ink stains can be puzzling because some types of ink - like washable markers and ballpoint ink - come out easily while permanent marker stains take much more effort.

1. Protect the Rest of the Garment

   Before you begin, place a piece of cardboard or an absorbent microfiber cloth underneath the stained portion of your garment. As the ink dissolves, it can stain other areas of the garment.
   

   

2. Treat the Stain with Rubbing Alcohol

   • Place a small amount of isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol on a paper towel or cloth. A cotton swab works great for treating small stains.
   • Work from the outside of the stain toward the center to keep it from spreading.
   • Work slowly.
   • As the ink is transferred onto the microfiber cloth, move to a clean area to prevent re-staining the garment. Add more alcohol to the cloth as needed.
     

   

3. Rinse the Fabric and Wash

   • Once the ink is gone, rinse the fabric in cool water.
   • Rub a small amount of heavy-duty laundry detergent into the treated area.
   • Let it work for 5 to 10 minutes before washing the garment.
   • Repeat the steps if needed. Do not place an ink-stained garment in the clothes dryer.

   

How to Remove Coffee and Tea Stains

Coffee and tea contain tannins that leave stains in our favorite mugs and on our clothes. In addition to the discoloration, the oily component of cream and other flavorings make stain removal even more difficult.

1. Blot and Rinse

   • As soon as possible, blot the stain with a white paper towel or cloth.
   • Hold the stained area under a faucet of cold water and rinse the area.

   

   (Video) Stain Removal 101: How to Clean Common Stains

2. Pretreat the Stain

   • Dab the stain with a bit of heavy-duty liquid detergent or dishwashing liquid.
   • Gently work the stain remover into the fabric with your fingers or a soft-bristled brush and allow it to work for at least 10 minutes before washing.

   

3. Wash the Garment

   • Wash the garment as usual.
   • Check the stained area before placing the item in the dryer and repeat the steps if necessary.

   

How to Remove Blood Stains

Accidents happen and sometimes result in blood stains on clothes or sheets. Fortunately, if you act quickly most blood stains can be removed easily. It is best to wear protective gloves when treating blood stains to reduce your exposure to bacteria.

1. Flush the Stain

   Flush the fresh or dried blood stain with cold water by holding the fabric inside out directly under a cold, running faucet.

   

2. Treat the Stain

   • Place a small amount of heavy-duty liquid laundrydetergenton the stain.
   • Work the detergent into the stain with your fingers or a soft-bristled brush.
   • Allow the detergent to work for fifteen minutes and thenwash as recommended on the care label.
   • Check the stained area after washing, and do not place it in a machine dryer if the stain remains.
     

   

3. Use Hydrogen Peroxide

   • If traces of the blood stain remain on white or light-colored clothes, dab the stain with a white cloth dipped in hydrogen peroxide.
   • Blot well and then rinse the fabric under cold water.
   • Wash again using a heavy-duty laundry detergent.

   

How to Remove Sweat Stains

Yellow underarm stains and stiff underarm build-up on dark clothes are caused by the interaction between the aluminum in deodorants and body oils and salts. The stains can be removed by following these steps.

1. Remove Sweat Stains on White Shirts with Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide

   • Mix one partbaking soda, one parthydrogen peroxide, and one part water in a small bowl. (A quarter cup of each ingredient is enough to clean one shirt.)
   • Work the mixture into the stained area with an old toothbrush.
   • Allow the paste to work for at least 30 minutes.
   • Wash the shirt as usual with heavy-duty laundry detergent in the warmest water setting that is safe for the fabric.

   

   (Video) How to Remove Sweat Stains from White Clothes

2. Remove Sweat Stains on Dark Shirts with Distilled White Vinegar

   • Mix 2 tablespoons of vinegar and 2 tablespoons of water in a small bowl.
   • Turn the shirts inside out.
   • Dip an old toothbrush in the solution and scrub the armpit areas thoroughly.
   • Fill a sink or large bucket with cool water. Add one cup ofwhite distilled vinegar.
   • Add the colored shirts. Allow the shirts to soak for at least 30 minutes.
   • Wash the shirts as usual in cool water using a heavy-duty detergent.

   

Additional Tips for Stain Removal

• Don't rub: If a stain lands on your clothes, avoid the temptation to wipe it away. Blot liquids and lift away solids with a spoon or the edge of a credit card. Wiping pushes the stain deeper into the fabric.
• Don't start with hot water: Rinse the stained area with cool water first because hot water makes some stains more difficult to remove.
• Don't wait: Treat stains as quickly as possible and then wash the garment.