We’ve all been there—one moment you’re enjoying a nice glass of red wine, and the next, it’s all over your favorite shirt. Stains happen, but they don’t have to be permanent! With the right techniques and a little quick action, you can tackle almost any stain and save your clothes from the donation pile.

Before we dive in, here are a few important stain-removal rules:
❗️ Always test stain removers on a hidden area before applying them to the whole stain.
❗️ Be careful when mixing ingredients. Some combinations, like vinegar and hydrogen peroxide, can create harmful reactions.
❗️ Hydrogen peroxide can lighten fabrics. It works wonders on stains but may cause fading, so use it cautiously on colored clothing.
❗️ Blot, don’t rub! Rubbing spreads the stain and pushes it deeper into the fabric.

Now, let’s break down how to remove the most common (and most frustrating) stains!

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Food & Drink Stains

Red Wine 🍷 – Difficulty: 4/5

What to Use: Salt, club soda, hydrogen peroxide + dish soap
How to Treat:

1. Blot (don’t rub!) excess wine with a paper towel.
2. Sprinkle salt on the stain to absorb moisture.
3. Pour club soda over the stain and let it fizz for a few minutes.
4. If needed, mix equal parts hydrogen peroxide and dish soap, apply, and let sit for 10 minutes before laundering.
   Also Works For: Grape juice, cranberry juice

Coffee ☕ – Difficulty: 3/5

What to Use: Cold water, vinegar, liquid detergent
How to Treat:

1. Blot excess coffee with a paper towel.
2. Rinse the stain with cold water from the back of the fabric.
3. Mix 1 tbsp white vinegar with 1 tbsp liquid detergent and blot onto the stain.
4. Let sit for 10 minutes before laundering.
   Also Works For: Tea

Chocolate 🍫 – Difficulty: 3/5

What to Use: Dish soap, hydrogen peroxide, cold water
How to Treat:

1. Scrape off excess chocolate.
2. Rinse with cold water (hot water can set the stain).
3. Apply dish soap and let sit for 5-10 minutes before washing.
4. For stubborn stains, use hydrogen peroxide.
   Also Works For: Cocoa powder, hot fudge

Berries 🍓 – Difficulty: 4/5

What to Use: Lemon juice, boiling water, vinegar
How to Treat:

1. Rinse with cold water immediately.
2. Dab with lemon juice or white vinegar.
3. Pour boiling water over the stain from a height (if fabric allows).
4. Wash as usual.
   Also Works For: Pomegranate, beet juice

Tomato Sauce 🍅 – Difficulty: 3/5

What to Use: Dish soap, baking soda, hydrogen peroxide
How to Treat:

1. Scrape off excess sauce.
2. Rinse with cold water.
3. Apply dish soap or a baking soda paste, let sit for 10 minutes.
4. If needed, use hydrogen peroxide before laundering.
   Also Works For: Ketchup, marinara sauce

Mustard 🌭 – Difficulty: 4/5

What to Use: Dish soap, white vinegar, rubbing alcohol
How to Treat:

1. Scrape off excess mustard.
2. Rinse with cold water.
3. Apply dish soap and let sit for 10 minutes.
4. If needed, dab with white vinegar or rubbing alcohol before washing.
   Also Works For: Turmeric stains

Oils & Outdoor Stains

Oil/Grease 🍳 – Difficulty: 4/5

What to Use: Dish soap, baking soda, cornstarch
How to Treat:

1. Blot excess oil.
2. Sprinkle baking soda or cornstarch on the stain and let it sit for 10 minutes.
3. Apply dish soap directly and gently rub it in.
4. Wash in the hottest water safe for the fabric.
   Also Works For: Butter, salad dressing

Grass 🌱 – Difficulty: 4/5

What to Use: Rubbing alcohol, vinegar, toothpaste
How to Treat:

1. Dab rubbing alcohol or white vinegar onto the stain.
2. Gently rub in non-gel white toothpaste.
3. Wash in cold water.
   Also Works For: Plant-based stains like leaves

Dirt/Mud 🌿 – Difficulty: 2/5

What to Use: Liquid detergent, vinegar
How to Treat:

1. Let mud dry completely, then brush off excess dirt.
2. Apply liquid detergent and let sit for 10 minutes.
3. Scrub with an old toothbrush, then wash.
   Also Works For: Clay, dust stains

Clothing & Beauty Stains

Deodorant 💦 – Difficulty: 2/5

What to Use: White vinegar, baking soda
How to Treat:

1. Rub white vinegar on the stain.
2. Sprinkle with baking soda, scrub lightly, and wash as usual.
   Also Works For: Antiperspirant stains

Sweat 💧 – Difficulty: 3/5

What to Use: Hydrogen peroxide, baking soda
How to Treat:

1. Mix hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and dish soap into a paste.
2. Apply to the stain and let sit for 30 minutes before washing.
   Also Works For: Yellowed shirt collars

Sweat + Deodorant Build-Up 👕 – Difficulty: 4/5

What to Use: White vinegar, aspirin paste
How to Treat:

1. Soak in white vinegar for 30 minutes.
2. Crush aspirin, mix with water to make a paste, and apply.
3. Wash in hot water.
   Also Works For: Set-in underarm stains

Tough Stains

Paint 🎨 – Difficulty: 5/5

What to Use: Rubbing alcohol, dish soap
How to Treat:

1. Water-based paint: Rinse with warm water, apply dish soap, and scrub.
2. Oil-based paint: Use rubbing alcohol or turpentine.
3. Wash as usual.
   Also Works For: Acrylic paint, craft stains

Ink 🖊 – Difficulty: 4/5

What to Use: Rubbing alcohol, hairspray
How to Treat:

1. Dab rubbing alcohol on the stain.
2. Let sit for 10 minutes, then blot and wash.
   Also Works For: Permanent marker

Lipstick 💄 – Difficulty: 4/5

What to Use: Dish soap, rubbing alcohol
How to Treat:

1. Blot with rubbing alcohol.
2. Apply dish soap and scrub lightly before washing.
   Also Works For: Lip gloss, foundation

Nail Polish 💅 – Difficulty: 5/5

What to Use: Acetone (if fabric-safe)
How to Treat:

1. Blot (don’t rub) with acetone or non-acetone polish remover.
2. Rinse and wash immediately.
   Also Works For: Paint splatters

Blood 🩸 – Difficulty: 4/5

What to Use: Hydrogen peroxide, cold water
How to Treat:

1. Rinse with cold water.
2. Apply hydrogen peroxide and let fizz.
3. Blot and wash immediately.
   Also Works For: Protein-based stains like formula and breast milk

Rust 🏗 – Difficulty: 5/5

What to Use: Lemon juice, salt
How to Treat:

1. Sprinkle salt on the stain.
2. Squeeze lemon juice over it and let sit in the sun.
3. Rinse and wash.

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The key to successful stain removal is acting fast and using the right method for each stain type. Some stains are simple to fix with a quick rinse and detergent, while others require a little more effort. When in doubt, start with the mildest treatment and work your way up—aggressive scrubbing and harsh chemicals can do more harm than good.

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