Household Service Masters

Cleaning guides / Laundry

Stain removal: the rules that matter

Act fast, blot don't rub, and know when to use cold water.

Time: Minutes per stain 5 min read

Most stains come out if you treat them quickly and correctly. A few general rules cover nearly every case.

The rules

  1. Act fast; fresh stains are much easier to remove.
  2. Blot, don't rub; rubbing spreads the stain and damages fibers.
  3. Use cold water on protein stains (blood, egg, dairy); hot water can set them.
  4. Work from the back of the fabric to push the stain out.
  5. Test any product on a hidden spot first.
  6. Don't put a stained item in the dryer until the stain is gone.

See the chart

Our Stain removal guide has step-by-step methods for coffee, wine, grease, blood, grass, ink and more.

General cleaning information. Read product labels, test in a hidden spot first, and never mix bleach with ammonia or acids. Household Service Masters isn't paid by any product brand.