Grayson
Ever spilled red wine on your favorite shirt or accidentally poured coffee on your cherished tablecloth? Don’t worry, this isn’t new. Stains are an inevitable part of life, but that doesn’t mean they have to be permanent. In this gallery, we’ll walk you through the most common stains and reveal expert tips and tricks to make them vanish.
Red Wine
Red wine stains on white fabric can be a nightmare, but you can turn panic into triumph with the right approach. Lay the garment flat with paper towels underneath to absorb the spill. Blot the stain with a wet sponge soaked in hot water and rinse frequently to lift the color. Next, apply a bleach-based remover, following label instructions. Wash as usual, adjusting the temperature based on the fabric.
Ink
That ink stain on your shirt doesn’t have to be a lost cause. Here’s how to fix it: Start by placing paper towels under the fabric to absorb excess moisture. Using a sponge, drench the stain with 70% isopropyl alcohol and pat it with a clean white cloth. Ensure you check if the ink lifts. For persistent stains, try applying hairspray and dabbing with crumpled paper towels. Rinse the area with cold water and wash it normally.
Grease
Grease stains can be tackled with dish detergent just like greasy dishes. Firstly, rinse the stain under cold water to remove the excess. Apply liquid dish soap and gently work it in with a soft toothbrush, scrubbing in circular motions. Rinse off the soap thoroughly. If the stain persists, treat it with an enzymatic stain remover and let it sit for 15 minutes. Finally, wash on a hot cycle without rinsing off the stain remover.
Sweat
Dealing with body fluid stains, especially sweat, might make you cringe, but don’t despair—there’s a straightforward solution. Dampen the stain and blot it with paper towels to lift as much as possible. Next, coat the stain with oxygenated bleach or an enzymatic cleaner and spread it evenly. Let it work for 10 to 15 minutes, then gently scrub it with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Finish by tossing the item in a hot water cycle.
Blood
Soak the stained item in cold water and gently scrub the stain with your finger. Rinse the garment and lightly squeeze out excess water. Apply liquid laundry detergent to the stain, let it sit for a minute, then rub the fabric together to lift the stain. Rinse and repeat if needed, then machine wash as usual. For dried blood, hydrogen peroxide can be effective, but test it on a hidden area first to prevent color fading.
Lipstick
For durable fabrics, you can tackle the stain with a few simple steps. Gently scraping off the top layer of the lipstick with a plastic spoon. Place the stained region face down on paper towels. Apply a powerful grease-fighting dish soap to the back of the fabric, then dampen it with a bit of water. Gently brush the stain from the back, then flip the item and scrub. Rinse and reapply dish soap if needed. After 15 minutes, wash it.
Tea/Coffee
For tea and coffee stains, sprinkle baking soda on the wet stain and allow it to sit for 5 minutes. Rinse with cold water from the back of the fabric to push out the color. After rinsing off the baking soda, scrub with liquid dish detergent and a soft-bristled toothbrush. Rinse again and check for remaining stains. If needed, treat with an enzymatic stain remover and wash.
Mud
Let the stain dry before trying to clean it to prevent spreading. Once dry, gently scrape off the debris with a knife. Place paper towels under the stained area, then saturate the stain with a mix of water and white vinegar, letting it sit for 5 minutes. Apply an enzymatic stain remover, then wash. If the stain lingers, pretreat with diluted hydrogen peroxide before laundering.
Paint
Accidental paint splashes? Scrape off the pigment with a dull blade. Then proceed to rinse the stain with a strong stream of warm water to flush out the paint from the fibers. Next, work a solution of liquid detergent and water into the stain, scrubbing and rinsing until the paint is gone. You might need to repeat this process a few times. Once the stain is lifted, wash the garment, and it’ll be like the paint spill never happened.
Fruit Juice
Kids and fruit juice spills go hand in hand, but removing those stains is a breeze. First, rinse the area with cold water to lighten the stain—no scrubbing is required. Next, directly apply an enzyme-based laundry detergent to the stain. Use rubber gloves to work it into the fabric. Let it sit for about 20 minutes, then wash the item on a hot cycle.
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