What you need

Stain removal kit

Immediate response is the key to successful stain removal - keep these home remedies handy.

• Talcum powder - to soak up excess moisture. 
• An enzyme detergent - most laundry detergent powders contain enzymes.
• Ammonia - you'll find cloudy ammonia in supermarkets.
• White vinegar.
• Chlorine bleach.
• Glycerine.
• An alcohol-based solvent such as meths.
• A fat/oil solvent - turps, white spirits or kerosene.
• A carpet spot cleaner for carpets or rugs.

Common household stain removers

• Bleach kills mildew and mould and is good at removing coloured stains. Once the stain has gone, wash out the bleach thoroughly.
  
  Downside: Strong bleach may fade or damage the item (chlorine bleach is particularly risky). Always dilute following the label directions. A mild bleach like hydrogen peroxide (mixed at 5tsp/0.5L water) is less likely to damage fabrics if used correctly.
  
   
• Solvents remove stains by dissolving them. Nail polish remover works on lacquers and some paints and resins, as well as nail polish. Methylated spirits (meths) is good on adhesive tape, PVA, latex and water-based paints, ballpoint ink, waxes, makeup, correction fluid and chocolate. White spirits (used in lighter fluid), turpentine (turps), and kerosene can cope with fat or oil stains, tar and asphalt and some adhesives.
  
  Tip: To remove sticky price labels or tape marks - try heating the sticker with a blow dryer or soaking it in hot water. With luck the sticker or mark will just come away. If that doesn't work, sponge it with a solvent such as meths or nail polish remover. Some solvents may damage plastic surfaces so check first.
  
  Downside: Some solvents can damage fabrics so always check the care label first. The fumes can be hazardous - see "Safe cleaning" below.
  
   
• Mild acids such as white vinegar, cream of tartar or lemon juice help remove rust and some food stains.
  
   
• Eucalyptus oil can remove some adhesive glues, fat, wax, gum, and tar.
  
   
• Lubricating agents such as glycerine or petroleum jelly help soften old stains.
  
  Tip: To loosen an old stain rub in glycerine and leave it for an hour. (You can get glycerine from a pharmacy).
  
   
• Washing agents weaken the bonds holding the stain so it can be washed away. Ammonia and borax are all-round cleaners. Enzyme-based laundry detergents, stain removers and soakers target protein-based stains, such as blood and egg-yolk.
  
  Tip: Mix the laundry detergent to a paste with cold water before applying it

Safe cleaning

• Many stain removal chemicals are poisonous. Store them out of the reach of children.
• When treating a stain with meths, turps, kerosene, white spirits, or nail polish remover stay well away from naked flames or burning cigarettes.
• Keep a door or window open to ventilate the area and avoid breathing the fumes.
• Never use ammonia with products containing chlorine bleach - the fumes given off by the mixture are dangerous.