How to effectively remove stains from your clothes

We all spend so much time in our favorite clothes that it's inevitable to avoid messing them up. Stains seem to appear out of nowhere, like that grease that jumps from the pan onto your shirt! But don't worry, we've got the best tips on how to remove stains from your clothes.

Remember, not all solutions work every time, so don’t get discouraged if a particular method doesn’t completely remove a stain. Keep trying — eventually, you'll find the right solution. And one key rule: Never put a stained garment in the dryer unless you're certain the stain is gone. Heat will only set the stain, making it permanent.

Here are 10 effective methods to tackle both fresh and stubborn stains.

10: Quick Spot Remover

A red wine stain doesn't go well with the outfit you carefully chose for that special evening. If you happen to spill something on your clothes while out, don't stress. Simply follow a few easy steps to remove the stain and get back to enjoying your time.

First, never scrub or rub the spilled substance. Instead, gently blot it with a white cloth. Don’t have a white cloth nearby? In an emergency, a piece of white bread can serve as a quick fix, especially handy when dining out!

For oil-based stains, like from salad dressing, you can use ingredients you have right at the table. Just sprinkle salt on the stain, let it sit for a while, and then brush it off. The salt will have absorbed the oil, leaving your garment looking fresh.

Next, tackle the stain with whatever spot treatment you have on hand. A stain pen is ideal, but if you don't have one, club soda or plain water can work just as well. Don't overapply — use the corner of a napkin and gently blot until the stain disappears completely [source: Leverette].

If you're close to a laundry machine — perhaps after a cozy dinner at home? — you can easily create a potent stain remover by mixing lemon juice and cream of tartar. Wash the item as usual, and those stubborn marks will vanish like they were never there.

9: Grass Stains

There's nothing quite as frustrating as a stubborn grass stain ruining the fun of a baseball game. If the thought of your kids playing outside gives you anxiety about the laundry afterward, fear not. Grass stains aren't as tough as they seem.

One of the simplest and most effective ways to remove grass stains uses something you likely already have — toothpaste! Grass stains can be scrubbed away using an old toothbrush and regular white toothpaste; just make sure you use a paste, not a gel variety.

Apply a small amount of toothpaste directly onto the stain, then dampen the toothbrush with clean water and gently scrub the stained area. Repeat as needed to remove the entire stain. Once you're done, rinse the spot and launder the clothing as you normally would. Now you can slide into home plate without a care. By the way, toothpaste can also easily tackle ink stains! Who would've thought?

8: Blood Stains

Accidents happen, and if you cut yourself, you're probably more concerned about stopping the bleeding and finding a bandage than about preserving your clothes. But once you're patched up and settled, a blood stain on your clothes only adds insult to injury. Don't worry, though — you can quickly remove the stain without much hassle using a simple trick.

To remove blood stains from your clothes, grab a 3 percent hydrogen peroxide solution — the kind found in most first-aid kits. Pour the peroxide on the stain, then use your fingernail or a butter knife to gently loosen and scrape away the blood. Rinse with more hydrogen peroxide, and then launder as usual. It's best to tackle the stain right away, before it dries, to increase your chances of success.

If you can't get your hands on hydrogen peroxide, don't panic! Cola, soda, or pop works wonders to remove blood stains. Just soak the stained item in soda, ideally overnight, and then wash it as usual.

Another simple method for removing blood stains from fabric is to dampen the stained area with water, sprinkle it with regular table salt, and then rub the two halves of the stain together to work the salt in and loosen the blood. Afterward, just wash the garment as you normally would.

7: Collar Stains

You don’t need any special stain removers or heavy-duty detergents to deal with collar stains. In fact, there's a simple item you probably already have in your shower that can easily solve the problem!

Whether it’s on work shirts or Sunday best, collar stains can be easily removed with something you likely have on hand — shampoo. Just apply a little shampoo to the collar, rub the fabric together to work the shampoo in, let it sit for 15 to 30 minutes, then rinse thoroughly. Follow up with a regular wash.

Any shampoo will usually do the trick, but experts suggest using a shampoo formulated for oily hair, as it's designed to break down oils, dirt, and other residue transferred from skin to collar. For a budget-friendly option, why not use the complimentary shampoo bottles from hotels as an effective ring-around-the-collar remover?

6: Lipstick Stains

If you've been kissing too much on your sweetheart's collar, here's a laundry hack for you! Experts note that lipstick is one of the hardest stains to tackle because of the wide variety of colors and formulas, and the type of fabric makes a big difference. If the stain is on delicate fabrics like cashmere, silk, or wool, it's probably better to have it professionally cleaned.

For other fabrics, start by gently scraping off any excess lipstick. Place paper towels on a firm surface, and position the stained area face down on top. Then, apply a grease-cutting dish detergent to the back of the stain. Next, flip the fabric over to expose the stain side, and scrub the area with a clean toothbrush. Do not rinse the fabric. Instead, toss it in the washing machine on a gentle cycle and wash as usual. Repeat this process until the stain disappears [source: Gibbs].

5: Grease Spots

Laundry day can be a challenge when people in your home prefer to wipe their hands on their clothes instead of the napkins you've provided. It's especially frustrating when greasy meals like fried chicken are involved. These stubborn stains not only resist coming out but also stand out against the fabric, making it impossible to ignore them.

Don't stress if this sounds like your everyday reality. Head to your pantry and give this homemade grease stain remover a try: Sprinkle the stain with cornstarch. Let it absorb the grease for a few minutes, then brush it off. The stain should lift right out, allowing you to get back to convincing everyone to use napkins instead of their clothes.

Another excellent solution for grease stains is WD-40. Yes, the same spray used to silence door hinges! Just spray it onto the stain and let it sit for up to 30 minutes. Then, apply a bit of dish soap or liquid laundry detergent, letting it work for another 30 minutes. Once that's done, run it through the wash as usual, and let it air dry. Never put a stained item in the dryer, as it may make the stain permanent [source: Kerr].

4: Oil Stains

If you find unsightly stains on your pillowcase, don't feel bad because it's a common issue. Pillows often get stained by sweat and natural oils from your body. Sometimes, just throwing them in the washer will do the trick for removing sweat stains. But if this usual method doesn't work, it may be time to try something new.

To remove oily stains from pillowcases, try using plain shampoo or even liquid dish soap. Apply it to the stain, rub it in, and let it sit for a while. Rinse it out and then wash it as you normally would. It's that simple!

Here's another nifty solution using something every parent is likely to have on hand — white chalk. Simply rub the chalk onto the oil stain, allow it to sit for around 15 minutes, and then shake or brush off the excess. After that, wash as usual.

To avoid letting oil stains get out of control in the future, take a few steps during laundry day. As soon as you spot oil stains, pre-treat them with liquid laundry detergent before throwing them in the washer. Make sure to launder with hot water and an enzyme-rich detergent for the best results.

3: Ink Stains

If you've ever thought it was a good idea to stash a ballpoint pen in your pocket for safekeeping, then you probably learned the hard way that ink doesn’t stay contained. Don’t throw away those jeans just yet — there's a good chance they can be saved. Keep in mind that different types of ink require different treatments.

To treat ballpoint pen ink stains, start by placing a paper towel underneath the stain. Then, apply some regular rubbing alcohol to the affected area. For larger stains, let it soak for up to 15 minutes. Blot or sponge the stain with a clean cloth until no more ink transfers. After rinsing, apply a pre-treatment (if available) and wash as usual in hot water.

Ink from a felt-tip pen can be a bit more challenging, but it's still very much removable. Experts suggest rinsing the stain well with cold water first. After that, soak the fabric in hot water mixed with some liquid laundry detergent.

If you have ammonia on hand, add a little to the mix. Once everything is well combined, place the garment in the solution and gently rub the stained area. Let it soak for 30 to 60 minutes, or even overnight for stubborn stains. Once it seems to have lifted, apply some more detergent and then launder as usual [source: Smith].

2: Red Wine

That glass of red wine may look great in your hand, but not so much on your clothes! Luckily, with a bit of effort and some everyday household items, that stain doesn't stand a chance.

If the red wine stain is fresh, begin by sprinkling the spill with baking soda to absorb it. Dab gently with a clean, damp cloth to soak up the wine, but don't scrub or rub the fabric. Then, immediately stretch the stained fabric over a large bowl or kettle, secure it (a large rubber band works great) and apply a layer of salt. Let it sit for about five minutes.

Then, carefully pour boiling water over the stain. Experts suggest holding the water about eight inches above the fabric to ensure it has enough force to effectively flush out the stain. Finally, toss the item into the washing machine and run it through at the highest water temperature possible [source: Real Simple].

1: Tea Stains

If you've got tea stains on your fabric, don't fret. As long as you didn't burn yourself when the mug tipped over, it's totally manageable. First, rinse the stain with cold water as soon as you can. Be sure to run the water from the back of the stain rather than directly over the top. This method helps push the stain out the way it came in, rather than driving it deeper into the fabric.

Next, grab any regular liquid detergent and rub it directly into the stained area. Let it sit for at least five minutes. For dried stains, soak the item in cold water mixed with detergent for around 30 minutes, then rinse it out.

Another method is to sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda on a fresh tea stain. The powder will work to absorb the color from the fabric! Once done, just launder as usual [source: Aguirre]. See? There's no need to cry over spilled tea.