When treating a stain, you must first ask yourself what type of stain you have. Different types of stains must be treated differently for effective stain removal. But for all types of stains, treat them as quickly as possible. The fresher the stain, the more likely it will come clean. And remember to never rub a stain; blot, blot, blot.
Wine
Soak tough stains for 30 minutes in 1 quart warm water and 1 teaspoon enzyme presoak product (amylase, protease, lipase).
Launder the garment with detergent in the hottest water that is safe for the fabric. Do not use soap (bar, flake or detergents containing natural soap), which can make the stain permanent or at least more difficult to remove.
Coffee and Tea
Saturate the stain with a pretreatment stain remover.
Lay the stained area down on a couple layers of paper towels and blot the backside of the stain with a heavy-duty liquid detergent. This will help the stain leech out onto the towels. Follow by laundering the garment using detergent — not soap — in the hottest water safe for the fabric. (Soap can make stain permanent or at least more difficult to remove.)
If the stain remains, take it to a dry cleaner.
Ketchup
Act fast! Remove any excess ketchup, but be careful not to push it into the fabric.
Remove the garment as soon as possible and run cold water through the stain from the back side to force the stain out of the clothing.
Gently rub some liquid detergent into the stain and soak the garment in cool water for at least 10 minutes.
Wash and air dry (heat from the dryer could set in stains permanently).
Mustard
Mix a half-teaspoon of dish soap, a half-cup of water, and a few drops of white vinegar.
Apply the solution to the mustard stain and allow to soak.
Rinse well with hot water and launder.
Chocolate
Lay the stained area down on a couple layers of paper towels and blot the backside of the stain with a heavy-duty liquid detergent. This will help the stain leech out onto the towels. Launder according to fabric care label.
If the stain remains, take it to your dry cleaner.
Chewing Gum
Place garment in plastic bag and put in freezer.
Scrape off frozen gum.
If residue remains, blot with oil solvent or mineral spirits.
Rinse with isopropyl alcohol; let dry.
Follow up with an enzyme detergent before washing.
Lipstick
Gently scrape off excess lipstick.
Using an eyedropper, apply a dry solvent such as mineral spirits and tamp with a soft-bristled brush.
Rinse with isopropyl alcohol and tamp.
Repeat until all of stain is removed.
Once removed, spray area with diluted dishwashing-soap solution.
Follow up with an enzyme detergent before washing.
Perspiration
Soak the garment in warm vinegar water prior to washing.
Blood
Spray diluted dishwashing-soap solution on stain, and let sit.
Rinse in tepid water.
If stain remains, follow up with an enzyme detergent and wash according to label instructions.
Grass
Apply a dry solvent such as mineral spirits to stain.
Press with cheesecloth; tamp with a soft-bristled brush.
Repeat to remove as much of the stain as possible.
Rinse with isopropyl alcohol, let dry.
Follow up with an enzyme detergent before washing.
Ink
For fabrics that will not be damaged by alcohol, blot rubbing alcohol directly on the stain; let sit and then wash according to label instructions.
If ink stain is on colored fabric, soak it in milk overnight and then wash according to label instructions.
– S.O.
