Stain Removal Guide: How to Get Stains Out of Clothes

Stains are a part of life, but they don’t have to be a permanent part of clothing. Wondering how to remove common stains like red wine? Blot with a paper towel and cover the spot with salt and club soda for an hour before washing. Learn how to get stains out of clothes so they always look like new.

How to Get Stains Out of Clothes Quickly and Easily

Removing certain stains requires fast action and specific supplies, so it’s best to have a variety of stain-fighters in your arsenal. Our laundry room hacks can keep vinegar, baking soda, and hydrogen peroxide neatly stored and at your fingertips. Meanwhile, the following stain removal guide details what to do to make even the toughest spots disappear.

How to Clean Grease Stains

Grease can be a deal-breaker if you don’t act ASAP with the right techniques.

Here’s how to get stains out of clothes that are covered in grease with some household basics:

• Cover the stain with clear liquid dish soap and cold water
• Gently rub the soap and water into the stain with a toothbrush
• Rinse with white vinegar before machine-washing in cold water

Remove Red Wine Spills

Of all the different types of stains and how to remove them, red wine can be the most difficult.

Use the stain-fighting power of salt to successfully remove red wine stains:

• Blot the stain with a clean paper towel
• Cover the mark with a layer of salt
• Pour club soda over the salt and let sit for an hour
• Remove salt and machine-wash with cold water

Make Grass Stains Disappear

Stain removal hacks for grass stains are essential for kid-proofing your laundry.

Here’s how to use rubbing alcohol and baking soda to remove stains from grass:

• Gently dab the stain with a paper towel dipped in rubbing alcohol
• Cover the spot with a paste of laundry detergent and baking soda for 30 minutes
• Brush the paste away with a soft toothbrush
• Machine wash in cold water

How to Wash Coffee Spots

Wondering how to get stains out of clothes when they’re splashed with coffee? 

Fast action with the right supplies is key to cleaning coffee stains:

• Soak the stain in lukewarm water
• Blot with detergent or diluted vinegar
• Machine wash with the hottest water the fabric can tolerate, using liquid detergent

Treat Makeup Stains

Stains from makeup can ruin an outfit if not treated quickly with specific stain-fighting techniques.

Re-purpose shaving cream and hairspray to remove foundation and lipstick stains:

Foundation:

1. Spray a small amount of shaving cream directly on the stain and allow it to set
2. Rub the shaving cream into the fabric with a toothbrush
3. Rinse with cold water and repeat as needed

Lipstick:

1. Spray stain with hairspray and allow to soak for 10 minutes
2. Wipe with a clean cloth dipped in warm water
3. Repeat as needed

Banish Blood Spots

Blood stains can be effectively removed by acting quickly with the right methods.

Follow these steps to clean blood stains immediately:

1. Rinse the stain in cold water ASAP
2. Soak the stain in cold water and detergent for 10-15 minutes
3. If stain lingers, treat with a few drops of hydrogen peroxide and ammonia

How to Clean Deodorant Marks

Deodorant mixed with sweat can create a hard-to-remove stain. 

Vinegar or lemon juice can each be an effective natural stain remover for clothing with deodorant stains:

1. Combine 2 tablespoons of vinegar with 1 cup water or equal parts lemon juice and water
2. Scrub either mixture into stain
3. Machine-wash as usual

Whether it’s how to get stains out of clothes or how to clean clothes covered in pet hair, we have the solutions. The team at Aviv Service today can answer your laundry appliance questions and handle any washer and dryer repair.