Removing stains from clothes, carpets, and other household items can seem daunting. With the right techniques and products, however, even the toughest stains can be conquered. This comprehensive stain removal guide covers how to treat stains from A to Z.
Introduction
Dealing with stains is an inevitable part of life. Spills happen, whether it’s wine on the carpet, grease on clothes, or mud on upholstery. Knowing how to remove stains properly is a valuable life skill that can save time, money, and frustration.
This Ultimate A-to-Z Stain Removal Guide outlines proven methods for treating stains on fabric, carpet, and other surfaces. We will walk through steps for pretreating and cleaning stains caused by common substances from food to cosmetics to household accidents.
With the right stain-fighting tools and techniques, you can rescue favorite items from permanent damage. Read on to become an expert on eradicating stains!
How to Remove Stains: General Tips and Tricks
Before diving into specific stain treatments, here are some overarching tips to maximize your success:
- Act quickly. The sooner you can treat a stain after it happens, the better. For best results, start working on a stain within the first 24 hours.
- Blot, don’t rub. Rubbing can grind the stain further into the fabric. Gently dab or blot the stain instead.
- Work from the back or underside. Turn the item inside out or upside down to apply stain removers directly to the affected area. This prevents rings or water marks.
- Pretest on an inconspicuous area. Check carpet cleaners, solvents, and bleach solutions on a small, hidden section first to ensure colorfastness.
- Follow with laundry or extraction. For clothing and carpets, washing/extraction after stain removal is key for fresh, clean results.
Now let’s explore proven techniques for treating all kinds of stubborn stains, from A to Z!
A – Alcohol Stains
Spilled beer, wine, or spirits can leave unsightly marks on clothing or upholstery. For alcohol stains:
- Blot excess liquid immediately with a clean cloth. Avoid rubbing.
- Flush the back of the stain with cold water to dilute.
- Apply a mix of 1 tbsp dish soap + 1 tbsp hydrogen peroxide. Let sit 5-10 minutes.
- Rinse and launder/dry clean. For carpets, blot lift with a wet vac.
The hydrogen peroxide bubble action helps lift the stain from the fibers. For old or heavy stains, make a paste with OxiClean powder.
B – Blood Stains
Nosebleeds, cuts, and other blood spills can be tricky to remove. Here’s how to treat blood stains:
- Rinse back of fabric with cold water. For carpets, blot instead.
- Apply hydrogen peroxide, lemon juice, or enzyme pretreat spray.
- Rub liquid dish soap into stain. Let sit 10-15 minutes.
- Rinse and wash in cold water with an oxygen booster. Air dry in sunlight.
The peroxide and dish soap help break down proteins in the blood for easier removal. Avoid hot water, as it can set blood stains permanently.
C – Chocolate Stains
Chocolate is a classic staining culprit on everything from white shirts to upholstery. Get out chocolate with:
- Pretreat with dish soap. Gently massage it in.
- Sprinkle on baking soda or Borax. Let sit for 15-20 minutes.
- Scrub with a soft brush or sponge. Avoid friction heat.
- Rinse thoroughly. Machine wash with detergent and oxygen booster.
The alkaline borax helps dissolve chocolate oils, while the abrasion gently lifts stains from fibers. Take care not to damage delicate fabrics.
D – Dye Stains
Richly colored clothing or fabric can sometimes bleed, leaving irreversible dye stains. To treat:
- Flush the backside with cold water to dilute color.
- Apply non-oily spot remover, hydrogen peroxide, or lemon juice.
- Sprinkle on salt and grind it in gently to absorb dye.
- Rinse and repeat treatment until water runs clear.
- Wash and dry as usual. Avoid heat, which can set loose dye.
With persistence, dye stains can often be significantly reduced or removed completely. Acting quickly is key.
E – Egg Stains
From omelets to egg fights, those slimy egg proteins can really cling to fabrics. Beat egg stains with:
- Use a dull knife to scrape off any crusty egg residue.
- Apply dish detergent and massage it into the stain.
- Sprinkle on baking soda, borax, or meat tenderizer. Let sit 5-10 minutes.
- Rinse and then soak in an enzymatic cleaner like Biz.
- Launder as usual with detergent and oxygen booster. Air dry.
The enzyme cleaners and abrasives break down stubborn egg proteins so they release from fibers. Avoid hot water when washing.
F – Food Coloring Stains
Vibrant food coloring from baking projects or arts and crafts often stains skin, clothes, and beyond. Here’s how to remove it:
- Flush the back of the stain thoroughly with cold water.
- Pretreat with dish soap, rubbing alcohol, or hydrogen peroxide.
- For tough stains, make a paste from baking soda and water. Apply and let dry.
- Rinse and wash in the hottest water safe for the fabric.
Food dyes are designed not to fade, but can be lifted with solvents and abrasion. Washing soda or borax also helps remove them.
G – Grass Stains
Active kids often come home with grass stains on pants, jerseys, or dresses. Kick grass stains to the curb:
- Blot excess grass immediately. Avoid rubbing it in.
- Apply dish soap and gently scrub the stain.
- Make a paste with baking soda + hydrogen peroxide. Apply to stain.
- Rinse and wash in hot water with oxygen booster. Dry in sunlight.
Repeated applications of abrasives lift grass from fabric. For severe stains, use an enzyme spray after other methods.
H – Ink Stains
Pens in the laundry or craft mishaps can embed ink into fabric. Lift out ink with:
- Apply hairspray liberally to back of stain. Let sit 5 minutes.
- Rub with bar soap for a minute, then rinse. The soap pulls ink free.
- For tough stains, add baking soda or lemon juice to lighten.
- Launder as usual once stain is removed. Choose a cold water cycle.
Ink binders dissolve in alcohol (hairspray) and acids (lemon), allowing the color pigment to release. Take care with bleach, as it may discolor fabric.
I – Ice Cream Stains
A dropped cone or sundae mishap can create a sticky, sugary stain. Banish ice cream messes by:
- Using a dull knife, lift any solid chunks off fabric. Avoid smearing.
- Apply dish soap. Gently rub it in using just your fingertips.
- Sprinkle with baking soda or borax. Let sit for 10 minutes.
- Rinse with warm water. Check stain; repeat if needed. Then launder.
The surfactants in dish soap combined with the solvents like borax can dissolve sugars and lift oily ice cream residues.
J – Juice Stains
Spilled apple juice, orange juice, or other juices leave obvious stains behind. Absorb and eliminate them:
- Blot promptly with a clean, dry towel to soak up excess.
- Flush the back with cold water. Avoid wetting the top initially.
- Sprinkle with salt or baking soda to absorb pigments.
- Rinse and wash normally with oxygen bleach when safe. Air dry.
Catching juice early before it dries limits the staining. The longer it sets, the harder juice is to remove completely.
K – Ketchup Stains
Tomatoes’ high acid content makes ketchup prone to “etching” fabrics with pinkish stains. Reverse ketchup stains:
- Scrape off thick globs immediately using a dull knife.
- Apply glycerin to back of stain. Let sit for 5 minutes. It draws out ketchup.
- Pretreat with dish soap. Rinse.
- Wash with oxygen bleach. For whites, dilute chlorine bleach instead.
Glycerin’s moisture-absorbing properties pull ketchup free from fibers. Oxygen bleaches neutralize acids for brighter results.
L – Lipstick Stains
Lipstick smudges on clothes or tissue can be a make-up mishap. Take these steps:
- Use a clean cloth to press out as much color as possible. Avoid spreading it.
- Apply a small amount of rubbing alcohol. Let sit 1-2 minutes.
- Blot the spot with liquid dish soap. Massage it in gently.
- Rinse thoroughly before washing normally.
The alcohol dissolves oils in lipstick so the pigments can be flushed out and lifted by the soap. Repeat if faint staining remains.
M – Mildew Stains
Mildew and mold from dampness leaves black, gray, or brown spots. Kill and remove it:
- First off, address the underlying moisture issue leading to mildew.
- Make a paste using equal parts lemon juice and salt. Apply and let sit.
- If on white fabric, spray diluted chlorine bleach. Let sit 10 minutes.
- Rinse thoroughly. Wash and dry in sunlight for added disinfecting.
Lemon brightens the stain whilebleach kills stubborn mold and mildew spores. Take care using bleach on colors.
N – Nail Polish Stains
Chipped polish on clothing or furniture is problematic but treatable. Remove it carefully:
- Use acetone-based polish remover on durable fabrics only. Test first.
- For delicate fabrics, apply rubbing alcohol instead. Let sit briefly.
- Blot the stain repeatedly with liquid dish soap. The soap grabs the polish.
- Once gone, rinse thoroughly before washing as usual.
On finished wood or laminate, use toothpaste as a gentle abrasive scrub to lift dried polish. Wipe clean.
O – Oil Stains
Greasy, oily spills from food, cars, tools, and more can stain fabric or concrete. Lift oil with:
- Blot promptly to absorb excess oil before it penetrates.
- Apply liquid dish detergent or carpet shampoo. Work it in.
- Sprinkle corn starch or baking soda over the greasy area. Let sit overnight.
- Vacuum baking soda when dry. Rinse soap thoroughly before washing.
The powder absorbents pull grease from the stain over time. Avoid soap on unfinished wood; try baking soda paste instead.
P – Perspiration & Deodorant Stains
Sweat and deodorant residue can build up on clothing over time. Kick stinky stains with:
- Make a paste using baking soda and water. Rub it into stains.
- Fill a sink or bucket with warm water and oxygen bleach. Soak garments.
- Wash in detergent on the hottest setting safe for fabric. Repeat cycles if needed.
- Dry in sunlight to further disinfect and brighten clothes.
The enzymatic oxygen bleach helps remove stubborn body soils that detergents leave behind.
Q – Quick Dust Stains
Chalky residue from cleaners like Pledge leaves a tell-tale haze on surfaces. To remove:
- Vacuum dust from fabric first. Use sticky tape to lift dust from delicate fabrics.
- Apply a mix of equal-parts vinegar and water. Scrub gently with a soft cloth.
- Rinse with clear water. Wipe dry. Repeat if a film remains.
- Re-apply protective polish or wax when fully cleaned.
The vinegar dissolves residue so it can be lifted away without damaging the furniture finish.
R – Rust Stains
Rust from metal tools or appliances can transfer to fabric. Eliminate rust stains:
- Treat fresh stains immediately. Old ones may be permanently set.
- Apply lemon juice or cream of tartar solution. Let sit for 10-15 minutes.
- Sprinkle on salt. Use fingers to gently rub it into the stain.
- Rinse and launder with detergent and color-safe bleach.
The acid in lemon juice or cream of tartar dissolves rust so it can be flushed out and removed.
S – Sweat Stains
Heavy perspiration underarms can permanently damage clothing. Remove sweat stains with:
- Make a thick paste using baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and water.
- Rub paste thoroughly into stains. Let sit for 1-2 hours.
- Rinse paste then soak garment in oxygen bleach solution.
- Wash in detergent using a hot water cycle. Repeat if needed.
The paste solution lifts stains from fabric while the soaking further removes dingy residues.
T – Tomato Stains
Fresh tomato sauce or juice leaves red splotches behind. Take out tomato stains by:
- Rinsing back of fabric immediately with cold water. Avoid warmth.
- Spraying diluted chlorine bleach directly on white fabrics. Wait 5 minutes.
- For colors, apply hydrogen peroxide or lemon instead.
- Wash using cool water and air dry to avoid setting stains.
The acid in tomato can damage fabrics, so it’s important to neutralize and flush it promptly. Bleach whitens whites.
U – Urine Stains
Pet accidents on carpeting or upholstery create stubborn odors and stains. Attack urine stains by:
- Blotting excess liquid immediately with paper towels. Avoid rubbing.
- Mixing 1 tbsp dish detergent with 1 tbsp white vinegar and 1 cup water. Spray on.
- Apply baking soda generously after solution dries. Let sit overnight.
- Vacuum up baking soda. Rinse and extract carpet thoroughly.
Vinegar neutralizes odors and bubbles up urine so enzymes in detergent can dissolve stains.
V – Vomit Stains
Besides the ick factor, vomit contains acids that can stain and damage surfaces. Clean it ASAP:
- Remove any solid chunks using a plastic spoon or spatula. Discard.
- Apply an enzyme cleaner concentrate. Let it soak in 10-15 minutes.
- Blot the area with detergent solution. Rinse thoroughly.
- Once stain is treated, shampoo carpets or wash laundry immediately.
Enzyme cleaners break down proteins in vomit so they can be flushed away completely.
W – Wine Stains
Red wine’s colorful pigments and acids can really stain. Reverse wine damage:
- Blot promptly to absorb excess liquid. Avoid rubbing it in.
- Flush the back with cold water or club soda to dilute.
- Pretreat with hydrogen peroxide or lemon juice.
- Sprinkle on borax. Scrub paste gently into stain.
- Rinse and launder, using cool water to avoid setting the stain.
The acidity in wine makes it prone to permanently staining, so treat ASAP.
X – Xerographic Toner Stains
Laser printer toner can transfer onto clothes or skin when handling paper. Remove it:
- Apply hand sanitizer or rubbing alcohol. Gently massage the stain.
- Use a soft-bristle brush and soap to work into fabric. Avoid friction heat.
- Rinse thoroughly before washing. Choose a high-temp cycle.
- For skin, scrub with soap and water first. Use rubbing alcohol only on mature skin.
The alcohol breaks down toner binders so the black pigment can be flushed out.
Y – Yellowing Stains
Over time, white fabrics can yellow from exposure to heat, light, or body oils. Whiten them up:
- Wash garments in the hottest water setting safe for the fabric. Use non-chlorine bleach.
- For tough stains, apply lemon juice and place in direct sunlight. Rinse after an hour.
- Make a paste from cream of tartar, hydrogen peroxide, and water. Rub on stains.
- Launder again using distilled white vinegar in the rinse cycle.
Sunlight and acids chemically break down the yellowing agents so clothes look new again.
Z – Zucchini Stains
When grating or slicing zucchini, the juices can really stain hands and clothes. Take out zucchini stains with:
- Rubbing hands with salt, rinsing, and scrubbing with baking soda.
- Applying hydrogen peroxide or lemon juice to fabric stains.
- Sprinkling on baking soda. Once dry, brush off and rinse.
- Washing clothes using cool water and air drying to avoid setting stains.
Being plant-based, zucchini juice responds well to both acid treatments and absorbing agents like baking soda.
Stain Removal Supplies to Have on Hand
- Baking soda and borax
- Lemon juice or cream of tartar
- Hydrogen peroxide & distilled white vinegar
- Liquid hand dish detergent
- Laundry detergent with enzymes or oxygen bleach
- Spray enzyme cleaner like Biz or OxiClean
- Chlorine and oxygen bleach (color-safe)
- Soft cloths and toothbrush for scrubbing
- Plastic spatula or spoon
- Wet/dry vacuum with attachments