12 Speedy Tricks to Remove Common Clothing Stains
We’ve all been there — spilling coffee on a crisp white shirt right before a big meeting or discovering ink marks on a favorite blouse. Stains are an inevitable part of life, but they don't have to leave a lasting mark (pun intended).
Unless it's a large bleach stain, most any stain can be removed if it's acted on fast. The first action is to promptly blot the stain with a paper towel to absorb the liquid and prevent it from spreading further.
Some common household products are great at restoring garments to their former glory. Here are speedy tricks to remove common clothing stains that will save you tears (and money). Please check the fabric's care tag before washing any garment.
1. Sweat Stains

Sweat stains, especially those under the arms, can make even the newest shirts look old. To tackle these unsightly marks, mix baking soda and water to create a paste. Apply this paste to the stained area and allow it to sit for at least 30 minutes. Baking soda's natural deodorizing properties help break down sweat and neutralize odors.
After the paste has done its job, rinse the garment in cold water and then launder it as usual. For stubborn stains, adding a bit of white vinegar to the paste can enhance its effectiveness. Avoid using hot water, as it can set the stains further into the fabric.
2. Ink Stains

Ink stains can be difficult to remove, but with a little patience and the right approach, you can get rid of them. Dab rubbing alcohol onto the stain using a cotton ball or sponge, working from the outside edges toward the center to avoid enlarging the mark.
Once the ink begins to lift, rinse the fabric under cold water. Repeat the process if necessary, and then launder the garment as usual. For delicate fabrics, you might want to test the rubbing alcohol on an inconspicuous area first to ensure it doesn’t cause damage. Hand sanitizer would also work if you don't have rubbing alcohol.
3. Chocolate Stains

Chocolate stains can be particularly stubborn due to the combination of fat and cocoa. Start by scraping off any excess chocolate with a blunt knife or spoon. Once you've removed the excess, turn the fabric inside out and run cold water over the back of the stain to loosen the particles.
Drizzle a small amount of liquid dish soap directly into the stain and gently rub it in. Allow the soap to sit for a few minutes before rinsing it with cold water. If the stain persists, try soaking the garment in a mixture of cold water and a stain remover for about 30 minutes before washing it.
4. Ketchup Stains

Ketchup stains might seem intimidating due to their bright color, but they can be managed. Avoid rubbing the garment, as this can push the stain deeper into the fabric. Flush the stain with cold water from the back to force it out of the fibers.
Use a small amount of liquid laundry detergent or dish soap on the stain and gently work it in with your fingers or a soft brush. Rinse thoroughly with cold water and launder as usual. For older stains, you may need to pre-treat the area with a commercial stain remover before washing.
5. Blueberry Stains

Blueberry stains don't have to ruin your clothing. Soak the stained area in cold water to prevent the stain from setting.
Create a cleaning solution with one part white vinegar and two parts cold water. Add this mixture to the stain and gently press a clean cloth. Rinse well, dribble a small amount of liquid laundry detergent, and work it into the stain. Let it sit briefly before washing the garment in cold water.
6. Grass Stains

Grass stains can occur on kids' clothes at any time. To remove them, apply a pre-treatment laundry stain remover directly to the stain and let it sit for about 15 minutes. Rubbing hydrogen peroxide on it will also help.
Use an old toothbrush to scrub the stain gently. This will help to lift the grass particles from the fabric without damaging it. Rinse the area with cold water and then wash the garment as usual.
7. Grease and Oil Stains

Cooking is fun until some grease jumps onto your favorite dress. Grease stains can be tricky because they tend to spread and seep into fabric quickly. The key is to act fast. Sprinkle the stain with cornstarch to absorb as much grease as possible. Allow it to sit for at least 10 minutes before brushing off the powder.
Drip a few drops of dish soap on the stain and gently rub it in. The dish soap will break down the grease, making it easier to remove. Rinse the area with cold water and repeat if necessary. Wash the garment as usual, but avoid using hot water, as it can worsen the stain.
8. Coffee Stains

Who hasn't had a coffee stain on them at one time or another? If you just spilled some coffee on yourself, don't fret. Flush the cloth with cold water from the back to push the coffee out of the fabric.
Mix a solution of one part white vinegar and one part water. Place this mixture on the stain and rub with a clean cloth. Follow up with a small amount of liquid laundry detergent, rubbing it gently into the stain before rinsing. Repeat if needed, and then wash the garment as usual.
9. Red Wine Stains

The red color in wine can be a scary stain, especially on a bright garment. To remove wine stains, pour a small amount of white wine or club soda over the stain to neutralize the red wine and prevent it from setting.
Create a baking soda and water paste and spread the paste over the stain. Let it sit for about 30 minutes. Scrape off the dried paste and wash with dishwashing liquid. Rinse the area with cold water and repeat if necessary, then launder the garment as usual.
10. Blood Stains

Blood stains require immediate action; once they dry, they become much more difficult to remove. Rinse the stain with cold water as soon as possible.
Pour hydrogen peroxide directly onto the stain and let it bubble for a few minutes. Press a clean cloth onto the garment to absorb the peroxide and blood. Rinse thoroughly with cold water and repeat if necessary. Finish by washing the garment in cold water.
11. Tea Stains

Attack a tea stain by rinsing the stained area under cold running water from the back to help flush out the tea. Create a mixture of one part white vinegar and two parts water. Apply this solution to the stain and blot with a clean cloth until the stain lifts.
Follow up by spreading a small amount of laundry detergent directly to the stained area and allow it to sit for a few minutes. Rinse well with cold water and then launder the garment as usual. For persistent stains, repeat the process as necessary before washing.
12. Lipstick Stains

It'd be great if we all had lipstick that doesn't rub on garments, but lipstick stains are a reality. If this happens, start by gently scraping off any excess lipstick with a dull knife or a credit card — be careful not to damage the fabric.
Put a small amount of a solvent, such as rubbing alcohol or acetone, directly on the stain, patting it gently with a cotton ball or cloth. Once the lipstick begins to break down, blot the area with a clean cloth to lift the stain. Rinse with cold water and repeat if necessary. Confirm the stain is completely gone before drying, as heat can set any remaining traces.