Stain Removal Made Simple: The Ultimate Stain Removal Guide

*Please note that if more than one method of stain removal is listed for a certain stain, that only one at a time should be used.

Fruit / Berries

• Sponge with cold water before the stain has a chance to set.
• Stretch fabric over a large bowl and pour on boiling water from a height of 1-3 feet.

or

• For non-washable garments, dab stain with a little eucalyptus oil and let sit for several hours. Sponge with liquid laundry soap and a bit of water.
• Sponge old stains with a little white vinegar.

Grass / Flower

• Sponge on a mild solution of rubbing alcohol and water. If stain is still visible use a mild solution of hydrogen peroxide and water.
• Wash as usual.

Grease (cooking oils or salad dressing)

• Cover stain with a paste of cornmeal, cornstarch or baking soda and water to absorb the grease and let sit. Wash as usual.

or

• Pour on boiling water before washing.
• Dab with a little water and ammonia.

Lipstick

• Rub stain with cold cream or shortening and wash in club soda.

Coffee/Tea (black)

• Stretch the stained part of the fabric over a bowl and pour on boiling water from 1-3 feet. .
• Dab with white vinegar.

Blood

• Soak stained fabric in very cold water for ½ hour
• Apply a paste of cornmeal, cornstarch and let sit until dry.
• Brush dried paste away and wash as usual

or

• Wet stain with cold water and cover with table salt and let sit for 1-2 hours
• Wash as usual.

Ink

• Dab stain with rubbing alcohol and allow to soak for ½ hour.
• Blot with cheesecloth and wash as usual.

or

• Spray stain with enough hair spray to saturate the stain.
• Dab with a damp cloth and repeat if necessary
• Wash as usual.

Cosmetics

• Pour liquid laundry detergent onto stain and rub until a thick foam appears. Rinse and repeat
• If yellow stains are still visible, dab with a mixture of equal parts water and hydrogen peroxide.
• Wash as soon as stain is no longer visible.

Machine Oil/Grease

• Rub stain with shortening and wash as usual.

Rust

• Soak fabrics with rust stains in lemon juice and lay out in the sun
• Wash as usual when they are dry. (Do not use this method if washing instructions say to avoid bleach)

Ring Around the Collar

• Wet collar with warm water and rub with some cream of tarter. Wash as usual.

or

• Rub the collar with shampoo until a thick lather forms. Wash as usual.

Mud

• Allow mud to dry completely, then gently brush it off.
• Sponge away remaining dirt from the back of the fabric with soapy water and wash as usual.

Baby Formula

• Apply a paste of unseasoned meat tenderizer to the stain and allow it to sit for several hours. Wash as usual.

Tomato Based Sauces

• Soak fabric in cold water for ½ hour
• Rub on liquid laundry detergent onto wet stain until a thick lather forms
• Wash as usual.

Tips

• Rhubarb removes rust. Cut 4-5 rhubarb stalks into chunks and boil in 1 cup of water until the rhubarb is soft. Pour the juice over rust stains and wash as usual.
• It is better to use a mild solution on a stain several times than to use a strong solution once.
• Never rub a stain. Use light brushing strokes so you will not leave a ring.
• Always test a hidden spot on fabric to make sure it is color-safe before treating a stain.