No matter how careful you are, stains happen.
Whether it’s a coffee spill during your morning rush or grass stains from weekend play, knowing how to tackle stains quickly and effectively can save your clothes—and your sanity.
Here’s a guide to 10 common stains and how to remove them using simple household items and techniques.
1. Red wine
Red wine is notorious for ruining clothes, especially light-colored ones.
How to remove it:
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Blot the stain—don’t rub.
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Sprinkle salt or baking soda to absorb excess liquid.
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Rinse with cold water.
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Mix equal parts dish soap and hydrogen peroxide, apply to stain.
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Let sit for 10–15 minutes, then launder.
2. Coffee
A coffee spill is common, especially during busy mornings.
How to remove it:
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Blot with a clean cloth or paper towel.
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Mix 1 tablespoon dish soap, 1 tablespoon white vinegar, and 2 cups warm water.
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Dab with a sponge or cloth.
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Rinse and wash as usual.
3. Grease and oil
These stains love to stick to fabrics, especially synthetic materials.
How to remove it:
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Sprinkle cornstarch or baking soda to absorb the oil.
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Let sit for 15–30 minutes, then brush off.
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Apply liquid dish soap directly to the stain and rub gently.
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Wash in the hottest water safe for the fabric.
4. Blood
Fresh blood stains are easier to treat than dried ones.
How to remove it:
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Rinse immediately with cold water.
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Soak in cold water with a bit of salt or use hydrogen peroxide (for whites only).
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Wash with an enzyme-based detergent.
5. Ink
Pen leaks can do serious damage—but not if you act fast.
How to remove it:
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Dab rubbing alcohol on the stain using a cotton ball.
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Place a paper towel under the stained fabric to absorb the ink.
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Blot until no more ink comes out.
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Rinse thoroughly and wash.
6. Grass
Active kids (and adults) mean green stains.
How to remove it:
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Pre-treat with liquid laundry detergent.
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Add white vinegar if needed for extra strength.
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Gently scrub with a toothbrush.
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Wash in warm water.
7. Tomato sauce
Tomato-based stains can set quickly, so act fast.
How to remove it:
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Scrape off excess sauce.
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Rinse from the back of the fabric with cold water.
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Apply dish soap or laundry detergent.
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Soak for 30 minutes if needed.
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Wash in cool water.
8. Sweat and deodorant
Yellow stains under the arms can ruin white shirts.
How to remove it:
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Make a paste with baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and water (1:1:1).
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Apply to the stain and let sit for 30–60 minutes.
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Scrub gently, rinse, and launder.
9. Chocolate
Delicious—but disastrous when it hits fabric.
How to remove it:
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Scrape off excess chocolate.
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Rinse with cold water.
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Apply dish soap and gently rub.
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Soak if needed, then wash in warm water.
10. Makeup (Foundation, Lipstick, etc.)
Cosmetic stains are common on collars and napkins.
How to remove it:
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Blot with a makeup remover wipe or micellar water.
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Apply dish soap or stain remover.
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Let sit 10–15 minutes.
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Rinse and wash normally.
Final tips:
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Always check the fabric care label before treating.
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Avoid heat (dryer or hot water) until the stain is completely gone—it can set the stain permanently.
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Test stain removers on a small hidden area first, especially on delicate fabric
