How to remove stains from clothes:

1. Deal with it as early as possible. The less time a stain has to soak in, the
easier it will be to remove, although there are ways to remove old stains
out of clothes as well.
2. Pre-treat with a stain remover, then let it soak in.
3. Launder according to the fabric care instructions, using the warmest
setting safe for the fabric. If the stain remains, repeat the steps above. Do
not put it in the dryer until the stain is removed.

Choose a stain substance below for more specific

advice on how to get stains out of clothes:

ADHESIVES
1. Apply ice or cold water to harden surface; scrape with a dull knife.
2. Saturate with prewash stain remover or cleaning fluid.
3. Rinse, then launder.

BABY FORMULA
1. Pretreat or soak stains using a product containing enzymes.
2. Soak for at least 30 minutes or several hours for aged stains
3. Launder.

BAKED BEANS
1. Working from the back of the stain, flush it with cold water.
2. Pretreat it with a liquid laundry detergent, using an up-and-down motion
with a soft brush to break up the stain.
3. Rinse well.
4. Sponge with white vinegar and rinse again.
5. Repeat, treating the stain with liquid detergent, then with white vinegar
until you’ve removed as much stain as possible.
6. Pretreat with a prewash stain remover and launder with bleach that’s safe
for the fabric.

BARBEQUE SAUCE
 1. Treat the same as for baked beans.
2. If the stain remains after laundering with bleach, rub in liquid laundry
detergent and soak in warm water for up to 30 minutes.
3. Launder again

BEVERAGES
1. Sponge or soak stain in cool water.
2. Pretreat with prewash stain remover, liquid laundry detergent, liquid
detergent booster or paste of powder laundry product and water.
3. Launder using sodium hypochlorite bleach, if safe for fabric, or oxygen
bleach.
 

NOTE: Older stains may respond to pretreating or soaking in a product

containing enzymes, then laundering.

BLOOD
Fresh Stains:
1. Soak in cold water (do not use hot water as it will set blood stains).
2. Launder. 

Dried Stains:
1. Pretreat or soak in warm water with a product containing enzymes.
2. Launder. 
 

NOTE: If stain remains, rewash using a bleach safe for fabric.

BODILY FLUIDS
1. Pretreat or soak in a product containing enzymes.
2. Launder using sodium hypochlorite bleach, if safe for fabric, or oxygen
bleach.

BROWN / YELLOW DISCOLORATION

1. Use a rust remover recommended for fabrics.
2. Launder. 
 

NOTE: Do not use a sodium hypochlorite bleach to remove rust stains because it

may intensify discoloration

CANDLE WAX
1. Scrape off surface wax with a dull knife.
2. Place stain between clean paper towels and press with a warm iron.
Replace paper towels frequently to absorb more wax and to avoid
transferring stains.
3. Place stain facedown on clean paper towels. Sponge remaining stain with
prewash stain remover or cleaning fluid; blot with paper towels. Let dry.
4. Launder.
 

NOTE: If any color remains, rewash using sodium hypochlorite bleach, if safe for
fabric, or oxygen bleach.

CHOCOLATE
1. When the stain strikes, gently scrape off any excess chocolate.
2. Once you get the item home, soak it in cool water.
3. Then pretreat with a prewash stain remover
4. Launder in the hottest water that’s safe for the fabric. 
Watch our video for more information on chocolate stains.

NOTE: If stain remains, rewash using a bleach safe for fabric

COSMETICS / LIPSTICK
1. Pretreat with prewash stain remover, liquid laundry detergent, paste of
powder detergent or laundry additive and water. Or, rub with bar soap.
2. Launder.
Visit our guide for how to remove lipstick from napkins.

CRAYON
For a Few Spots:
1. Treat the same as candle wax or dampen the stain and rub with bar soap,
2. Launder using hottest water safe for fabric.
For a Whole Load of Clothes:
1. Wash with hot water using a laundry soap and 1 cup (212 g) baking soda.
 

NOTE: If color remains, launder using sodium hypochlorite bleach, if safe for
fabric. Otherwise, pretreat or soak in a product containing enzymes or an oxygen
bleach using hottest water safe for fabric, then launder

DEODORANTS
Light Stains:
1. Pretreat with liquid laundry detergent. Launder.

Heavy Stains:
1. Pretreat with prewash stain remover. Allow to stand for 5 to 10 minutes.
2. Launder using an oxygen bleach.