Everyone knows that we only search for “how to remove a stubborn stain” when we’re in dire straights. Your favorite tablecloth fell victim to a morning juice incident, a cocktail party guest soaked your accent pillow with red wine, or your child is in tears over both the fall off their bicycle and the blood stain on their favorite t-shirt. Have you ever found yourself in one of these situations or something similar?
How do you keep the toughest stains from ruining your favorite clothing and décor? Fortunately, for nearly every stain, there is a solution. Here’s how you can extend the life of your favorite clothing, household accouterments and everything else in between.
First things first when it comes to stains, act quickly and don’t give up! These tips work best if you can treat the spill immediately; although if you don’t discover a stain until the next day, you can still try these tricks. If one method doesn’t work, repeat the process or try another more heavy-duty technique.
As a general note, lighter colored fabrics provide more options for stain removal since you can always resort to bleach, hydrogen peroxide, or rubbing alcohol to remove the stain. But, keep in mind that some of these stain remedies could also affect the non-stained area, so be sure to test them in a less obvious place, to begin with.
Avenging Juice Stains
To remove a juice stain, first, use a clean, dry cloth to blot the stain. Be careful not to rub it, which could actually make the stain worse! Start on the outside and work inward to avoid spreading the stain. Once you’ve removed as much juice as possible, take the garment and spread it taut over a large bowl with the stain in the center. Use a rubber band around the bowl to secure the fabric. Slowly and gradually pour boiling water over the stain from at least a few inches above the shirt, but not so high up that you will accidentally splash yourself with the water. Repeat the pouring until the stain is gone or lightened. For any residual staining, pre-treat the shirt with vinegar and then wash it in cold water as you usually would.
Don’t Get Salty Over Red Wine Spills
If you’re lucky enough to spot that red wine spill as soon as it happens, table salt may bring your carpet back to almost-new condition. First, blot as much of the spill as you can. Then, spread salt thoroughly across the stain. The salt will immediately begin to absorb the stain. Wait for the salt to dry, and then vacuum up the mess. Use store-bought carpet cleaner to remove any signs of the stain.
For a DIY trick, some people claim that white wine actually helps to neutralize a red wine stain! If you don’t have a stain pen or a washing machine close by, we suggest starting with table salt or white wine as a first attempt.
As for the pillow? Dish soap and hydrogen peroxide will help bleach out the stain on a lighter colored fabric. But if that customized pillow has a photographic image you don’t want to ruin, rub white vinegar and laundry detergent with color-safe bleach on the stain to preserve your pillow’s original color.
Remove Blood Stains With Cola or Cold Water
One of the best tips for trying to get out blood stains is actually water! Coldwater (bonus points if it is saltwater!) can be used to remove blood stains. Soak the clothing for about four hours, then pre-treat with laundry detergent and wash in cold water. Make sure that the water is cold, as warm water can actually “cook” the stain, making it even more difficult to remove.
Did you know you can also use soda to get rid of blood stains? For best results, soak the garment in a cola soda overnight to remove the stain. This treatment, of course, is best on darker colored clothes or the cola might stain the rest of the clothing, too.
“Oil” Help You Remove That Salad Dressing Stain
Items stained with salad dressing, cream sauce or other oil-based foods are notoriously tough. While this one might be tougher than other stains to remove, try sprinkling cornstarch on the spot. This might help absorb some of the oil from your garment, thereby lightening or reducing the size of the stain.
Have a Less Than Fanta’stick’ Stain?
Lipstick stains are an all too common occurrence and are difficult to remove due to their waxy texture. To attempt to remove it, spritz your item with hair spray and let it sit for 10 minutes. Next, wipe the stain with a damp cloth to remove the hairspray residue and hopefully, the stain. Repeat as needed.
No matter what the stain you’re faced with may be, there’s no harm in trying an at-home remedy before calling it quits! If none of these options work for you, consider upcycling the item if you can instead of throwing it away. You might not have saved the stained item, but at least you won’t have contributed more waste to the environment in the process.
Erika focuses on email marketing, copywriting and merchandising at Zazzle, but she has a secret obsession with all things wedding! During the week you can find her writing punny subject lines while also pinning the latest wedding trends, and outside of the 9-5, she is usually cheering on the San Jose Sharks, reading a good murder mystery, or hunting for the best Philly Cheesesteak in the Bay Area.
