10 Effective Stain Removal Tips for Laundry

Spills and stains are a fact of life, but they don’t have to be a permanent part of your clothes. With the right tricks up your sleeve, you can tackle even the toughest stains. Ready to make your laundry routine a whole lot easier? Here are 10 effective stain removal tips that’ll save your clothes—and your sanity.

Blood Stains

Act fast with cold water! Immediately soak fresh blood stains in ice-cold water. For dried spots, make a paste using a meat tenderizer and chilled water. Apply gently, let it sit for 30 minutes, and then rinse. Never use hot water—it sets the stain.

Coffee Marks

Spilled some “beans”? Mix one tablespoon of normal dish soap with two cups of cold water. Dab this solution onto the stain, working from the outside in. For stubborn marks, try equal parts white vinegar and water. Rinse thoroughly and repeat if necessary before laundering. 

Chocolate Smears

Scrape off that excess chocolate efficiently! Flip the garment inside out and rinse with cold water. Then, apply liquid detergent, gently rubbing into the material. Let sit for 15 minutes. If you are looking for extra grease-cutting power, sprinkle baking soda over detergent. 

Ink Spots

For stubborn ink spots, place the stained area over an absorbent cloth and apply rubbing alcohol with a cotton swab. When it comes to ballpoint ink, try hairspray, as the alcohol content helps dissolve the stain. Rinse thoroughly before washing normally.

Sweat Yellowing

Those embarrassing yellow patches can be eliminated by mixing amounts of lemon juice and water. Apply this paste to the affected area and place it under the sun for an hour. The citric acid and UV rays naturally bleach. For whites, try using baking soda and water.

Red Wine Spills

Use salt to cover the discoloration and absorb the wine. Follow up by providing a cold water rinse. Then, pour boiling water over the stain from a bit of an height and stretch the fabric over a basin. The mark usually comes off due to pressure and heat. Wine Whine No More!

Grease Splatters

Cornstarch or baby powder—choose your fighter. Sprinkle any one of the two on oil stains to absorb excess. After 15 minutes, brush it off and gently apply dish soap to the stain. For extra grease-cutting power, add a few drops of vinegar. 

Makeup Mishaps

Get rid of those lipstick marks by simply using shaving cream. Gently massage it into the stain. After ten minutes, drain and rinse with cold water. Rub dish soap as a pre-treat to oil-based makeup. You can also try rubbing alcohol on water-based materials. 

Gum Residue

In order to harden that stubborn gum, first place the clothing in the freezer for about an hour. After that, remove as much debris as you can. Use an old toothbrush to work in the vinegar and warm water combination.  

Crayon Marks

Position the coloured area between two paper towels. Wax usually transfers to paper with a low-heat iron. You may then treat any remaining color with dish soap. For stubborn marks, try non-gel toothpaste. Gently rub in for 10 minutes, followed by rinsing in hot water.