Clothing Stain and Spot Removal Guide
Red wine? Tomato sauce? Oil? Shoe polish?! This quick reference chart covers how to get rid of some of the toughest stain challenges. Here are some overall pointers, with a chart of specific stains and how to remove them below.
- Try to treat a stain as soon as possible, keeping the garment moist under laundering, if you can.
- Never rub a wet stain. If liquid is still in a ball on the surface, try to absorb it into the tip of a white cloth.
- Once a stain has dried, brush off what you can before attempting a chemical solvent.
Always test cleaning agents first on a hidden seam or hem.
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When applying product, place stain-side down on a paper towel or white cloth, and dab stain remover to the underside of the fabric, forcing stain through onto the towel or cloth.
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When in doubt, don't do anything. Consult a dry cleaner
Stain |
Step One |
Step Two |
| Blood | When fresh, dab with cool water and rinse clear. | If stain persists, or has dried, sponge with hydrogen peroxide; rinse. An organic cleaner such as Bac-Out (which you can find online) also works wonders, even on dried blood. |
| Candle Wax | Freeze until wax is frozen. Brush off with wire brush. | Pour boiling water through garment to melt and remove residue. |
| Chewing Gum | Dab with ice to harden; scrape away as much as possible. | Place between white blotters and press with warm iron, changing blotters as needed. Finish with cleaning fluid. |
| Chocolate | Dab with mild, soapy water | Apply spot cleaning spray or fluid |
| Coffee/Tea | Dab with mild soapy water or glycerine, or rinse in warm water; pour boiling water through. Treat traces with sunlight. | Rinse with 5% hydrogen peroxide in water or rinse with white vinegar |
| Fruit Juices | Rinse immediately with cool water. | Although dry fruit stains are difficult, try a warm Borax solution or paste of cream of tartar and warm water. Rinse after a half-hour. |
| Ink | Soak in rubbing alcohol, rub, rinse with cool water | Apply hair spray, dry, brush away |
| Lipstick, makeup | Try moist towelettes on contact; launder normally. |
If stain persists, sponge with menthylated spirits or household ammonia. |
| Nail polish | Dab with clear nail polish remover (test fabric first, especially if it's synthetic--some will dissolve!) | Apply spot cleaning spray or fluid |
| Oil/Grease | Apply spot cleaning spray or fluid (dishwashing liquid also works) | Rinse with cool water |
| Red Wine/Colored Liquids | Apply absorbent powder or salt; brush away, dab with mineral water or cool water Or, on sturdy fabric, cover stain with salt; pour just-boiled water through stain. Otherwise, blot, wash cold, dry. |
rinse with rubbing alcohol. Or, try oil solvent followed by vinegar for remaining color. |
| Salad dressing/lipstick | Apply spot cleaning spray or fluid (toothpaste also works on lipstick) | Rinse with mild soapy water |
| Shoe polish | Apply spot cleaning spray or fluid | Dab with turpentine or white spirit. Rinse with cool water |
| Tomato Sauce | Rinse with cool water followed by mild soapy water. If oil-based, apply spot cleaning spray or fluid | Rinse with white vinegar |
