How to Remove Pesky Stains

There’s nothing more annoying than getting something on your shirt and it leaves a stain. I know the feeling all too well. I’m notorious for having stains on my shirts, and somehow, it always happens when I’m wearing a brand-new shirt! At first, I didn’t know how to properly remove those stains. I’d rummage through my laundry cabinet looking for any stain remover I could find, wash the shirt, and hope for the best. Then, I learned a few tricks along the way. Even now, it doesn’t always work—some stains live on.

Don’t be like me and play a wishful guessing game when removing stains from your clothes. Below are a few of the most common stains and how you can remove them:

• Beverages: Soak article of clothing with the stain on it in cool water. Pretreat with prewash stain remover, liquid laundry detergent, or a powder detergent and water. Wash with bleach that is safe for the fabric. If you are treating older stains, you could try using an enzyme product before washing. 
• Grass: Pretreat with a stain stick or soak with an enzyme product. If the stain remains, sponge the stain with alcohol. Be sure the alcohol is diluted with 2 parts water! If the stain is still visible, wash the article of clothing in the hottest water safe for the fabric with bleach safe for the fabric.
• Grease: Light stains can be pretreated with a spray stain remover, liquid laundry detergent, or a detergent booster. Wash the article of clothing on the hottest water temperature safe for the fabric. For heavy stains, place the stain face down on clean paper towels. Apply cleaning detergent to the back of the stain. Let the area air dry, replacing the paper towels frequently. Rinse the stain remover and wash the article of clothing in the hottest water safe for the fabric.
• Blood: Soak freshly stained clothing in cold water for 30 minutes. Rub detergent into the remaining stain. Rinse, then wash. If the stain is still visible, rewash with a bleach safe for the fabric.
• Dairy products: Pretreat with a stain stick or soak in an enzyme presoak product for 30 minutes if the stain is new, or for several hours if the stain is older. Follow by washing the article of clothing.
• Paint: For water-based paint, rinse the stained clothing in warm water while the stain is still wet, then wash. This stain cannot be removed after it dries. For oil-based paints, use the solvent listed on the label as a thinner. If there is no product listed, use turpentine. Be sure to use with caution! Rinse and pretreat with prewash stain remover, bar soap, or detergent. Rinse and wash. 

Remember, never dry the garment in the dryer until you are sure you’ve removed the stain completely!

Looking for another stain not listed above? Check out our stain removal guide!