Household Service Masters

Stain guide

Stain removal guide

Step-by-step methods for the most common stains on washable fabrics. Always check the care label, test on a hidden spot first, and don't put an item in the dryer until the stain is gone.

Coffee or tea

  1. Blot up what you can.
  2. Flush from the back of the fabric with cold water.
  3. Rub in a little liquid laundry detergent and let it sit 15 minutes.
  4. Wash in the warmest water the care label allows.
  5. For an old stain, soak in an oxygen bleach solution (follow the label) before washing.

Red wine

  1. Blot; don't rub.
  2. Flush with cold water from the back.
  3. Work in liquid detergent and let it sit.
  4. Soak in an oxygen bleach solution if the fabric allows (check the label).
  5. Wash, and check before drying.

Grease and cooking oil

  1. Blot excess oil. On fresh stains, sprinkle cornstarch or baking soda to absorb it, then brush off.
  2. Rub in a drop of dish soap, which breaks down grease.
  3. Let it sit 10 minutes.
  4. Wash in the warmest water the label allows.

Blood

  1. Use cold water only; heat sets protein stains.
  2. Rinse from the back under cold running water.
  3. Rub in liquid detergent or an enzyme stain remover.
  4. On white, colorfast fabrics, a little hydrogen peroxide can help (test first).
  5. Wash in cold water and air-dry until the stain is gone.

Grass

  1. Work in an enzyme stain remover or liquid detergent.
  2. Let it sit 15 to 30 minutes.
  3. Wash in warm water if the label allows.
  4. Repeat before drying if needed.

Ballpoint ink

  1. Put a paper towel under the stain.
  2. Dab with rubbing alcohol on a cotton ball (test on a hidden spot first).
  3. Blot as the ink transfers; move to a clean part of the towel.
  4. Rinse, rub in detergent and wash.

Yellow underarm stains

  1. Soak the area in an oxygen bleach solution for an hour or more (follow the label).
  2. Rub in an enzyme detergent.
  3. Wash in the warmest water the label allows.
  4. Avoid chlorine bleach, which can make yellowing worse.

Chocolate

  1. Scrape off what's left.
  2. Flush with cold water from the back.
  3. Rub in liquid detergent or an enzyme stain remover.
  4. Wash in warm water if the label allows.

Ketchup and tomato sauce

  1. Scrape off excess with a dull knife.
  2. Flush with cold water from the back.
  3. Rub in liquid detergent and let it sit.
  4. Treat with an oxygen bleach product if color remains, then wash.

Makeup and lipstick

  1. Foundation: rub in a little dish soap or liquid detergent, then rinse.
  2. Lipstick: blot with rubbing alcohol on a cloth (test first), then treat with detergent.
  3. Wash as usual and check before drying.

Mud

  1. Let it dry completely.
  2. Brush off as much as you can.
  3. Rub in liquid detergent, then wash.

Candle wax

  1. Let the wax harden, or put the item in the freezer.
  2. Scrape off what you can with a dull knife.
  3. Place paper towels on both sides and press with a warm (not hot) iron to draw out the rest.
  4. Treat any oily mark left behind with dish soap, then wash.

Chewing gum

  1. Harden the gum with an ice cube in a bag.
  2. Scrape off with a dull knife.
  3. Treat any residue with liquid detergent and wash.

Rust

  1. Use a rust stain remover made for fabrics, following the label.
  2. Don't use chlorine bleach; it can set rust stains permanently.
  3. Rinse thoroughly and wash.

Stain safety

  • Never mix bleach with ammonia, vinegar or other cleaners.
  • Dry-clean-only fabrics, silk, wool and leather: take them to a professional cleaner.
  • Use rubbing alcohol and other solvents with good ventilation, away from flames.