15 Common Stains and How to Remove Them with Everyday Items

We've all been there: you spill coffee on your favorite shirt or discover a mystery stain on your jeans. Fear not, you don't need fancy cleaners to tackle these stains. Many common household items can save your clothes from a tragic end. Here's a list of 15 common stains and how to remove them using everyday items.

15 Common Stains and How to Remove Them with Everyday Items

1. Red Wine Stains

Solution: Salt

• As soon as you spill red wine, blot the stain with a clean cloth. Pour a generous amount of salt over the stained area while it's still wet. The salt will absorb the wine. Let it sit for 15-20 minutes, then rinse with cold water. Wash as usual.

2. Ink Stains

Solution: Milk

• If you accidentally get ink on your clothes, soak the stained part in milk for 30-60 minutes. The enzymes in milk help break down the ink. After soaking, rinse with cold water and wash as usual.

3. Grease Stains (e.g., from food oils or motor oil)

Solution: Dish Soap

• Grease is notorious for sticking to fabrics. To remove it, apply a small amount of dish soap directly to the stain and let it sit for about 10 minutes. Rinse with warm water and repeat if necessary before washing.

4. Sweat Stains

Solution: Baking Soda

• For yellow sweat stains, make a paste of baking soda and water. Apply the paste to the stain and let it sit for 30 minutes. Scrub gently with a soft brush and rinse with cold water before washing.

5. Blood Stains

Solution: Hydrogen Peroxide

• Blot the stain with cold water first. Then, apply hydrogen peroxide directly to the stain. Let it bubble for a few minutes, blot again, and rinse with cold water. Repeat if necessary before washing.

6. Grass Stains

Solution: White Vinegar

• Mix one part white vinegar with two parts water and apply it to the stain. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes, then scrub gently with a brush. Rinse with cold water and wash as usual.

7. Coffee Stains

Solution: Baking Soda

• Blot the excess liquid first, then sprinkle baking soda over the damp stain. Allow it to sit for 10 minutes before brushing it off. Repeat if necessary before rinsing with cold water and washing.

8. Tomato Sauce Stains

Solution: White Vinegar and Dish Soap

• Rinse the stain with cold water to remove any excess sauce. Mix one tablespoon of white vinegar with one tablespoon of dish soap and two cups of water. Blot the mixture onto the stain with a clean cloth, rinse, and wash.

9. Chocolate Stains

Solution: Milk and Soap

• Scrape off any excess chocolate and soak the stain in cold milk for about 20 minutes. After soaking, apply a bit of liquid soap, gently scrub, rinse with cold water, and wash as usual.

10. Deodorant Stains

Solution: Lemon Juice

• Apply lemon juice directly to the stain and let it sit in the sun for an hour. The acidity of the lemon and the sun’s bleaching effect will help lift the stain. Rinse with cold water and wash.

11. Makeup Stains

Solution: Shaving Cream

• Apply a dollop of shaving cream directly to the stain and gently rub it in. Let it sit for 10 minutes, then rinse with cold water and wash.

12. Mud Stains

Solution: Liquid Dish Soap and Baking Soda

• Let the mud dry completely before brushing off the excess. Mix liquid dish soap with baking soda to form a paste and apply it to the stain. Gently scrub and rinse with cold water before washing.

13. Poop Stains

Solution: Cold Water, Dish Soap, and White Vinegar

• Scrape off any excess poop and rinse the stain with cold water from the back of the fabric to push the stain out. Apply dish soap directly to the stain, scrub gently, and let it sit for 10 minutes. Rinse again with cold water. For stubborn stains, soak the fabric in a mixture of one part white vinegar and three parts cold water for 30 minutes. Rinse and wash as usual.

14. Ketchup Stains

Solution: Cold Water and Dish Soap

• Scrape off any excess ketchup and rinse the stain with cold water from the back of the fabric. Apply dish soap to the stain, let it sit for 10 minutes, then rinse and wash.

15. Berry Stains

Solution: Lemon Juice and Vinegar

• Rinse the stained area with cold water immediately. Then, mix equal parts lemon juice and white vinegar and apply the mixture to the stain. Let it sit for 15 minutes, then rinse with cold water and wash.

Final Tips:

• Always test any cleaning solution on a small, hidden part of the fabric first to ensure it doesn't cause damage.
• Act fast! The sooner you treat a stain, the better the chances of removing it completely.
• When in doubt, consult the care label on your garment for washing instructions.

Now you're armed with the knowledge to tackle those pesky stains using simple items found around your home. Happy cleaning.