Most stains come out if you act quickly and gently. The key is knowing what not to do.
Style notes
- Act quickly, blot rather than rub, and work from the outside of the stain inward.
- Rinse most fresh stains with cold water; hot water can set protein stains.
- Check the care label and test any stain remover on a hidden spot first.
- Don’t put a stained item in the dryer until the stain is gone, because heat can set it.
Spills happen. Whether it’s coffee on a white shirt or makeup on a collar, the first few minutes make the biggest difference.
First steps for any stain
- Act quickly. Fresh stains are much easier to remove.
- Blot, don’t rub. Rubbing spreads the stain and damages fibers.
- Remove the excess. Scrape off solids gently with a spoon or blunt knife.
- Rinse with cold water from the back of the fabric to push the stain out.
- Check the care label before using any product.
- Test first. Try a stain remover on an inside seam to check it doesn’t affect the color.
Common stains
| Stain | Approach |
|---|---|
| Coffee and tea | Rinse in cold water, apply liquid detergent, then wash |
| Grease and oil | Blot, apply a little dish soap to break down the oil, then wash |
| Blood | Rinse in cold water only; hot water can set it |
| Makeup | Use a little dish soap or makeup remover on a hidden spot first |
| Ink | Blot with rubbing alcohol on a cloth, testing first; keep blotting with a clean area |
| Grass | Pretreat with liquid detergent or an enzyme stain remover |
Styling tip
Check the stain before drying. If it’s still there after washing, treat it again rather than putting it in the dryer, because heat can set it permanently.
Delicate and special fabrics
Silk, wool and dry-clean-only items need extra caution. Blot gently and take them to a professional cleaner for anything more than a light rinse. Our guide to washing delicates has more on fragile fabrics.
Read this first
Never mix cleaning products. Combining chlorine bleach with ammonia or acidic cleaners can release toxic gases. Use products in a ventilated space, follow the label and keep them away from children.
Prevention helps
Wear an apron when cooking, keep a stain pen in your bag and wash stained items promptly. Knowing your fabrics and following care labels helps prevent damage from the start.
Style Q&A
Does hot water help remove stains?
Not always. Hot water can set protein-based stains like blood, egg and dairy. Start with cold water unless you know the stain responds to heat.
Can I mix stain removers?
Never mix cleaning products, especially chlorine bleach with ammonia or acids, as this can release dangerous gases.
What about dry-clean-only clothes?
Blot gently and take them to a dry cleaner as soon as you can. Tell them what caused the stain.