12.29.2024

Save your clothes with my stain-fighting tips - CNET

Ketchup or wine in your favorite lid? Oil or fat splashes while cooking? You don't have to throw it away. Not with our handy stain removal tips using simple household items you probably already have on hand.

No matter what type of stain you're trying to remove, from blood and grass to wine, oil and more, there is hope beyond devotion to a new favorite piece of clothing. In fact, you can use this guide to remove almost any stain if you act quickly enough. The trick is in the process and the elements you use. Below is a complete list of tips and tricks you can follow.

For more cleaning tips, see How to Clean Activewear and How to Clean Running Shoes .

How to remove oil and grease stains from clothing

Oil stain on clothes

A splash of cooking oil on your favorite outfit is no problem. Take cornstarch. The powder absorbs the fat.

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From talking fridges to iPhones, our experts are here to make the world a little easier.

Oil and grease stains are difficult to remove, but not impossible. Apply some detergent to the stain and wash the garment according to the label instructions. For stubborn stains, you can also try a combination of dish soap and white vinegar.

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The method described below is trusted by numerous online consultants and only requires dishwashing liquid and baking soda. And remember that with oil and fat, time is of the essence. So tackle stains as soon as you notice them.

  1. If there are any stains, first blot the mark and remove any excess material.
  2. Apply a few drops of mild dish soap to the stain. Rub the soap in with clean fingers until the detergent completely covers the stain.
  3. Next, apply a tablespoon of baking soda to the soap and rub it into the fabric for two minutes (for a more effective scrub, you can use a soft-bristled toothbrush).
  4. Once the mixture forms a paste, let the solution and the garment sit for an hour.
  5. Rinse the garment in the sink and then machine wash it.
From talking fridges to iPhones, our experts are here to make the world a little easier.

How to remove grass stains from clothes

Grass stain on pants

Parents of soccer players know very well how tough grass stains are.

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Grass stains are almost inevitable on children's clothing and can be difficult to remove. You may be able to machine wash them or use a stain remover. However, if that is not enough, here is a solution:

  1. Soak the garment in a stain-reducing mixture for 30 minutes. You can use a solution of 2 cups of white vinegar or a mixture of dish soap and hydrogen peroxide.
  2. Gently scrub the stain with a soft brush.
  3. Thoroughly rinse the mixture from clothing with cold water.
  4. Machine wash according to label.

How to remove blood stains from clothes

Hands with rubber gloves remove a blood stain on a mattress

When it comes to blood stains, it's best to act quickly.

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Blood is very difficult to remove from clothing and may require multiple treatments. But when it's fresh, it's easier to remove, so act as quickly as possible. Here is a method:

  1. As soon as you notice the stain, soak the stained item in cold water from the sink. (Make sure the water is cold, as hot water stimulates blood proteins to set the stain on the fabric.) If the stain is still very fresh, blot the excess stain with a paper towel or leave the garment even run under running water to remove it. as much as you can.
  2. Cover the stain with a 20% hydrogen peroxide mixture (1 part hydrogen peroxide to 6 parts cold water) or apply a baking soda paste (2 parts baking soda to 1 part water).
  3. Before machine washing, rinse the garment in cold water.

How to remove sweat stains from clothes

Woman wiping the sweat from her face with a towel.

Sweat stains can be removed with a quarter cup of white vinegar and a cup of water.

Getty Images/Grace Carey

It's unfortunate, but it happens. Even in the hottest climates, you don't have to let sweat ruin your clothes with this method:

  1. Prepare a solution of a quarter cup of white vinegar and a cup of water.
  2. Dampen the sweat stain with the mixture or completely submerge the garment.
  3. Allow the garment to soak for a full 30 minutes.
  4. Rinse with cold water and machine wash.

How to remove coffee stains

A woman spills coffee from a paper cup onto a white shirt and jeans.

Every coffee drinker will need these tips at some point.

Philipp Berezhnoy/Getty Images

I drink coffee like it's my job. I love it. But I really don't like the coffee stains that inevitably appear on my work jacket or favorite work pants when I'm rushing in the morning. How to remove these coffee stains:

  1. Completely submerge the stained item in warm water.
  2. Apply a mild laundry detergent or a diluted white vinegar mixture (a quarter cup of white vinegar to a cup of water) to the stain.
  3. Machine wash at the highest temperature your garment allows.

How to remove red wine stains from clothes

Wine spilled on a shirt

A glass of Cabernet Sauvignon is a great pleasure in life...until it ends up on your favorite t-shirt.

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After a long night, you might be surprised to see red wine on your favorite collared blouse or shirt. Although it may seem dramatic, you can easily and effectively remove red wine stains:

  1. Blot the stain with a paper towel to remove any excess.
  2. Mix a solution of equal parts hydrogen peroxide and dish soap and apply the mixture lightly to the stain with your fingers.
  3. Leave the solution on for 20 minutes to an hour before rinsing.

If you don't want to use hydrogen peroxide, you can apply white vinegar and dishwashing detergent and follow the steps listed above.

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Either way, a little effort and a little time will go a long way in keeping your clothes looking new. Remember not to put the garment in the dryer until the stain has completely disappeared (so that it does not harden) and repeat any of the above steps if necessary to remove the stains.

For more laundry tips, check out: Why It Might Be Time to Give Up on Your Favorite Laundry Project and How to Do Laundry in the Most Energy-Efficient Way .

Frequently asked questions

Does it matter how quickly I try to remove the stain from my clothing?

Yes. If you want to remove a stain from one of your favorite clothes, you need to act quickly, especially if you have problems with a grease or blood stain. Although the tips contained in this article are effective in combating these stains, their effectiveness decreases the longer a stain remains on the fabric of clothing.

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