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Stain removal Updated 05 Mar 2009

A-Z stain guide

Here's how to treat spots and stains on fabrics. In most cases, the item should be rinsed or washed straight after treatment.

You can also download a PDF copy of our stain removal guide to print out and keep handy.

A-Z stain guide
B
Beer	Soak in a solution of 3 parts water / 1 part white vinegar.
Beetroot juice	Rinse straight away in cold water, then apply a paste of a laundry detergent containing enzymes and water.
Blood	Soak for several hours in a solution of 1tsp salt/600ml cold water, then rinse and apply a paste of a laundry detergent containing enzymes and water. Don't treat the stain with hot water as this will set it.
C
Candle wax	Scrape off as much as you can, then allow the stain to harden (applying ice cubes or placing the garment in the freezer will speed up the process). Place stain between layers of white paper towels and press with a warm iron, changing the paper as it becomes soiled. Sponge the residue with meths.
Chewing gum	Freeze with ice and break off as much as possible. Treat the residue with turps and wash in hot soapy water.
Chocolate/cocoa	Scrape off excess chocolate then apply a paste of a laundry detergent containing enzymes and water.
Coffee/tea	Soak in warm water with a squirt of dishwashing liquid. If the stain persists, soak a black coffee or tea stain in a solution of 2 parts water/1 part white vinegar. Try a paste of a laundry detergent containing enzymes and water on a stain from white coffee or tea.
Crayon	Treat the same as candle wax.
Curry	A tricky stain - take garments you value to a dry-cleaner. Otherwise, soak the garment in warm water, squeeze out the excess, apply glycerine and leave for an hour. Rinse, then try a paste of a laundry detergent containing enzymes and water.
D-E
Deodorants/antiperspirants	Sponge or soak in a solution of 1Tbsp ammonia/1 cup warm water with a squirt of dishwashing detergent. Treat residual traces with turps.
Egg	Apply a paste of a laundry detergent containing enzymes and water. Don't treat the stain with hot water as this will make it harder to remove.
F-G
Fats & oils	Sprinkle with talcum powder, leave for 30 minutes then scrape off. Lubricate older stains with glycerine, then sponge with dishwashing liquid and warm water. Treat residual stains with turps.
Fruit juice	Rinse immediately in cold water. If the stain persists, and the fabric will stand it, spread the item over a bowl and pour boiling water over the stain. Otherwise, sponge or soak the stain in warm water with a squirt of dishwashing liquid. Treat residual stains with meths.
Glue	Soak cellulose-based glues in cold water with a squirt of dishwashing detergent. Meths works on PVA. Other glues may only respond to nail polish remover. (Spot test first.)
Grass	Sponge with meths, dry, then soak in water with a squirt of dishwashing liquid.
H-K
Hair dye	Blot with warm (not hot) water then sponge with a solution of 1tbsp ammonia in 1/2 cup water. (Spot test first on coloured fabric.)
Hair spray	Sponge with meths.
Ink (ballpoint pen)	Sponge with meths, then rinse thoroughly in cold water. Repeat as necessary.
Ink (liquid & marker)	Remove excess with absorbent paper. Sponge or dip in a solution of equal parts ammonia and water. (Spot test first on coloured fabrics.) Rinse in warm water.
L-O
Lipstick/makeup	Gently rub in glycerine to loosen the stain, then treat with meths.
Mildew/mould	Treat white cotton or linen with a mixture of 1Tbsp chlorine bleach / 1L warm soapy water. On coloured fabrics dilute the bleach even more, and be prepared for some fading. See Removing mould or moss for more tips.
Milk/cream/ice cream	Rinse in warm (not hot) water and dishwashing liquid, then apply a paste of a laundry detergent containing enzymes and water and soak. Treat residual fat stains with turps.
Motor oil	Scrape away as much as possible and sponge with turps. For washable fabrics rub glycerine into the stain. Rinse under a hot tap, then soak in water with dishwashing liquid.
Nail polish	Treat non-synthetic fabrics with nail polish remover. (Spot test first.) Treat any residual marks with meths. Never treat acetate fabrics with nail polish remover - it can melt them!
P-R
Paint (oil-based)	Scrape off as much as possible and sponge residue with turps. If paint has dried, soften with glycerine first.
Paint (water-based & latex)	Wash away fresh paint with cold water. Remove residue with meths. Once dry these paints are virtually impossible to remove.
Perfume	Apply glycerine, then soak in a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water.
Perspiration	Sponge with a solution of 1 part ammonia / 5 parts water, then rinse. Follow up by soaking in a solution of 1 part white vinegar / 3 parts water.
Rust	Dab in a paste of lemon juice and salt and leave for an hour. Rinse and repeat if necessary.
S
Scorch marks	Light marks can often be removed by immediately washing in warm soapy water, rinsing and drying in the sun.
Shoe polish/cleaners	Scrape off the excess then apply a solution of equal parts ammonia and water. If the stain is stubborn treat with meths.
Sunscreen	Absorb excess with tissues, then sponge with meths.
T
Tar/bitumen	Scrape off as much as possible. Rub in glycerine to soften the stain, leave for 30 minutes, then apply turps or eucalyptus oil.
Tomato sauce	Sponge with dishwashing liquid, then rinse. Apply a paste of a laundry detergent containing enzymes and water and soak.
U-Z
Urine	Soak in a solution of 1 part ammonia/5 parts water. On stubborn stains follow with a solution of 1 part white vinegar/3 parts water. Or use a nappy soaker.
Vomit	Remove excess, rinse in cold water, then apply a paste of a laundry detergent containing enzymes and water and soak.
Wine (red)	Flush with lots of cold water, then pour salt on the stain, and let it stand for an hour. Scrape off the salt and rinse thoroughly. But see Carpet stains if the wine is on the carpet.