Removing Stains from Clothing

There are two important steps to take before removing stains from clothing. The first step is to identify the type of fabric. For example, if the fabric is made of rayon, silk, or delicate Belgian/Parisian lace, you should take it to a reputable dry cleaner. If you’re not experienced in removing stains from these fabrics, don’t attempt it yourself, as velvet, rayon, and silk are expensive materials.

The second step is to identify the type of stain. Different stains require different treatments and products. This should be easy, as anyone can recognize ketchup stains from butter stains, or wine stains from grape juice stains.

Perhaps we should have said three steps. The third step, of course, is to act quickly! As soon as your clothing gets a stain, don’t let it dry and settle. The longer the stain is left untreated, the harder it will be to remove.

While we recommend taking stained velvets and silks to a dry cleaner, you can remove stains from other types of fabrics with products already in your cupboard and laundry room.

So let’s get right down to removing stains from clothing that you can do yourself:

Stains on Leather

People often think that when leather is stained, a professional should remove it. Not necessarily. You can remove stains from leather with club soda and an old, clean toothbrush. Simply scrub the stain with the toothbrush in a back-and-forth motion using gentle strokes.

Gum Stains

If the piece of gum has been sitting on the fabric for a long time, try freezing it. Once it’s rock hard, gently scrape away at the gum bit by bit. If that doesn’t work, try the second method: apply egg white directly to the stain.

Ketchup Stains

This is one type of stain where you need to act quickly. Glycerine, a bit of detergent, and water should do the trick. Follow these steps:

• Run cold water over the stain. Some people find that running water from behind the stain is more effective, as it helps push the stain out.
• Gently rub a bit of detergent onto the stain.
• If the fabric is white and you’ve tested it for colorfastness, use a few drops of vinegar and sponge-rub the stain. You can also use hydrogen peroxide or fresh lemon juice.
• Apply detergent again until the ketchup disappears.
• If the stain persists, use a stain remover stick, gel, or spray and leave it on for five minutes. Launder as usual.
• If the stain is still there, don’t despair. Rub detergent on the stain, soak the fabric in warm water for 30 minutes, and rinse well.
• If the stain remains, visit your dry cleaner. Inform them of the steps you’ve already taken so they can assist you further.

Butter Stains

Butter is one of those stubborn stains that can easily frustrate us. But if there’s a will, there’s a way. The method is simple: you’ll need a sponge, warm water, your usual shampoo, and a grease solvent (people have used WD-40, which works as a great degreaser on clothing, but be sure to test it on a small spot first). Spray the grease solvent on the stain and let it dry. Then, soak your sponge in warm water and gently rub the stain, adding a bit of shampoo. Lift the stain off with the sponge.

Blood Stains

For fresh blood stains on non-washable fabric, blot the stains with a damp sponge soaked in cold water. The sponge should be damp, not soaking wet. If you acted quickly when the blood stain occurred, this method should do the trick. If the stains persist, use a few drops of ammonia with a spotter (but don’t use ammonia on wool or silk as it will ruin the fabric). Then dry the fabric.

For blood stains on washable fabric, fresh stains will come off easily when laundered in the usual manner. If the stains have set, try soaking the fabric in warm water with dishwashing or laundry detergent and ammonia for 15 minutes. Then, launder as usual.

Chocolate Stains

Chocolate stains are easier to handle once they have dried on clothing. Speed up this process by placing the garment in the fridge. Once the chocolate has hardened, remove the garment from the fridge and begin scraping away at the chocolate with a knife (be careful not to tear the fabric). Use the hottest water you can get and run it from behind the stain to push the chocolate out. Apply detergent to the stain and leave it for 10 minutes. Fold the fabric over the stain and rub it to create agitation and friction. Rinse with hot water. No more chocolate!

Coffee Stains

To remove coffee stains, rinse the area with cold water from behind the stain. Apply a few drops of liquid detergent directly to the stain and leave it on for 10 minutes. If the coffee stain is old, let the detergent sit for about 30 minutes. Then, rinse thoroughly.

If the coffee stains persist, soak the fabric in warm water for 10-15 minutes with liquid detergent. Alternatively, apply a stain remover or gel/spray and let it sit for 5 minutes. Launder as usual (but be sure to read the washing instructions first!).

There’s another way to remove coffee stains from clothing, but it’s a bit more cumbersome. If you spill black coffee, dab it quickly with cold water. Place an absorbent cloth underneath the stain so that when you rub it, the stain doesn’t spread to other parts of the fabric. Sprinkle baking soda over the stain to absorb excess moisture, and then remove the excess baking soda. Mix one cup of vinegar, 1 tablespoon of dishwashing or laundry detergent, and ½ cup of cold water. Soak a cloth or sponge in the mixture and gently dab it onto the coffee stain. Avoid rubbing too vigorously. Let it stand for 15 minutes, then launder as usual (and remember to check the care label!).