Laundry day is here, and I know tackling stubborn stains can feel like a never-ending battle. As a homemaker, I know every stain tells a story—coffee spills during morning chaos, grass stains from kids’ outdoor adventures, or even pet mishaps. Let’s dive into 25 tried-and-true methods for removing those pesky stains from your fabrics.
Happy Cleaning!
1. Coffee Stains
Solution: Blot with cold water, then apply a mixture of liquid detergent and white vinegar. Rinse with cold water before laundering.
2. Tea Stains
Solution: Soak the fabric in a mixture of cold water and lemon juice, then wash as usual.
3. Red Wine
Solution: Sprinkle salt on the stain to absorb the wine, then blot with club soda before washing.
4. Chocolate
Solution: Scrape off excess chocolate, treat with liquid dish soap, and launder with warm water.
5. Ink
Solution: Dab with rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer, place paper towels underneath, and gently blot until the stain lifts.
6. Blood
Solution: Use cold water (never hot!) and hydrogen peroxide for fresh stains. For dried stains, make a paste of baking soda and water, then rinse.
7. Grease and Oil
Solution: Sprinkle cornstarch or baking soda on the stain to absorb oil, then treat with dish soap before washing.
8. Grass Stains
Solution: Mix detergent with white vinegar or rubbing alcohol, apply to the stain, and scrub gently before washing.
9. Tomato Sauce
Solution: Rinse with cold water, apply a mix of dish soap and white vinegar, and wash as usual.
10. Sweat Stains
Solution: Treat with a paste of baking soda and water or spray with hydrogen peroxide. Let it sit for 30 minutes before laundering.
11. Deodorant Marks
Solution: Rub with a clean cloth dipped in white vinegar or a damp sponge sprinkled with baking soda.
12. Mustard
Solution: Scrape off excess mustard, then soak the fabric in cold water and apply dish soap or white vinegar.
13. Soy Sauce
Solution: Flush with cold water, then apply a mix of detergent and white vinegar.
14. Lipstick
Solution: Dab with rubbing alcohol or a small amount of dish soap, then wash in warm water.
15. Makeup (Foundation)
Solution: Use shaving cream to blot the stain or apply a mix of dish soap and cold water.
16. Candle Wax
Solution: Harden wax with ice, then scrape off. Place the fabric between two paper towels and iron to lift the remaining wax.
17. Paint
- Water-based paint: Rinse with cold water and soap immediately.
- Oil-based paint: Use paint thinner or rubbing alcohol before washing.
18. Crayon
Solution: Scrape off excess crayon, apply WD-40, and blot with a cloth before laundering.
19. Baby Formula
Solution: Rinse with cold water, then treat with an enzyme-based stain remover.
20. Pet Accidents (Urine)
Solution: Blot with paper towels, then apply a mix of water and white vinegar. For lingering odors, sprinkle baking soda before washing.
21. Mildew
Solution: Treat with a mix of white vinegar and baking soda, let it sit, and wash with hot water.
22. Ink from a Ballpoint Pen
Solution: Apply hairspray or rubbing alcohol to the stain, blot gently, and wash as usual.
23. Curry Stains
Solution: Soak in cold water with lemon juice, then apply a paste of baking soda and water.
24. Fruit Juice
Solution: Rinse with cold water, apply dish soap, and soak in a mix of cold water and vinegar before laundering.
25. Glue
Solution: Soak the fabric in cold water and gently scrape off dried glue. For stronger adhesives, use acetone on washable fabrics.
A Few Extra Tips for Success
- Act Fast: The sooner you treat a stain, the better your chances of removing it completely.
- Blot, Don’t Rub: Always blot to lift the stain instead of spreading it.
- Test First: When using harsh chemicals or treatments, test on an inconspicuous area to avoid damage.
Laundry day may feel overwhelming, but with these handy stain removal tips, you’re armed to tackle whatever life throws at your clothes. Happy cleaning!
What other laundry questions do you have? Share them below—I’d love to hear your tips, too! 😊