How to Get 11 Common Stains out of Clothes

Stains and spills can happen anywhere, at any time—even when you’re wearing your favorite pieces of clothing. Luckily, there are steps you can take to remove common stains from your clothes so they will be ready to wear whenever you need them. Read on to learn stain removal tips for 11 common stains.

How to Remove Most Stains from Clothes

To remove most stains from clothes, you will want to follow these general steps (adjusting based on the type of stain):

Remove any excess by scraping with a dull knife and then blotting the stain with a wet cloth.
Apply enzyme detergent and let sit; or, if the clothing is made from delicate fabric, mix a mild detergent with cold water and squeeze the mixture through the stain.
If attempting to remove either set-in or old stains, pretreat the stain with a detergent or a special pretreating product. Run the article of clothing through your washing machine in the warmest water recommended by the care tag.
If washing white cotton, add oxygen or chlorine bleach to the drum of your washing machine to help with dark stains. Explore more ways to remove stains from white clothing.
Line or air dry.

Why You Should Pretreat Stains

Taking action on stains by pretreating them prior to washing is important for their removal. This is because pretreating stains works to break the stains apart before running them through the washer. Additionally, it is worth noting that the quicker you treat stains, the less time they have to set into your clothing.

Possibilities for Homemade Stain Remover

There are several options to utilize if you want to treat stains with a homemade remover. One of those options is white wine vinegar, which is a gentle stain remover that doesn’t risk staining the fabric itself. And if you need to bleach your clothing, try using hydrogen peroxide as opposed to chlorine bleach.

Steps for Removing Particular Stains

Start by identifying the stain on your clothing, then refer to the corresponding stain section in the guide below. Because every stain is different, there may be additional steps depending on the type of stain as well as the kind of fabric.

How to Remove Red Wine Stains

When removing red wine stains, start by rinsing your clothing in cold water then apply an enzyme detergent, allowing it a few minutes to set in. If you are washing a delicate fabric like linen, mix a mild detergent in cool water and squeeze the soapy water through the fabric. Finish by washing in your washing machine using the warmest water that is still safe for your clothing.

How to Remove Blood Stains

If you have a blood stain on your clothing or bed sheets, flush the stain in cold water as soon as you can. Soak the fabric in an enzyme detergent (or gentle detergent, if a delicate fabric) for at least 30 minutes, then apply detergent directly to the stain and finish by running through your washing machine in cool water.

How to Remove Ink Stains

Prior to employing this stain removal process, test it on a hidden place on the garment before continuing. Place a paper towel on the stain. From the back side of the fabric, apply rubbing alcohol or hair spray to the stain by dripping it onto the paper towel carefully. Next, use the paper towel to soak up the stain and the liquid. Repeat until the stain is gone. Finish by applying detergent and running the fabric through your washing machine in the warmest water allowed by your care tag.

How to Remove Coffee Stains

Start by rinsing the garment in cold water and applying enzyme detergent. Wash in the warmest water safe for the fabric, and repeat this process if the stain remains. When treating a delicate fabric, start by mixing a mild detergent into cold water instead and squeeze the water through the fabric before washing in your washing machine.

Chocolate-stained clothing in a soapy container

How to Remove Chocolate Stains

Use a spoon or dull knife to remove any excess chocolate before flushing the stain in cold water (from the back of the fabric instead of the front). Soak the clothing in cold water and enzyme detergent (if washing a delicate fabric, mix a mild detergent with cold water and squeeze the water through the clothing). Finish by applying detergent and running through your washing machine in the warmest water safe for the fabric.

How to Remove Grass Stains

When washing a grass stain, gently work an enzyme detergent into the fabric, then wash the clothing in hot water. If the clothing is made from a delicate fabric, mix mild detergent and cool water together, then squeeze the water through the fabric. Finish by placing it in your washing machine and running in the warmest water safe for the clothing.

How to Get Cooking Oil Stains Out of Clothes

Begin by removing any excess oil by blotting the stain with a paper towel. Apply a stain pretreatment or liquid enzyme detergent directly on the stain. Rub it into the fibers, and let it sit for 10 minutes. Then wash it in your washing machine in the warmest water recommended by the care tag.

How to Remove Grease Stains from Clothes

Removing grease stains from clothing is a very similar process to removing oil stains. Start by removing as much of the excess grease as you can, then rub in detergent to pretreat the stain. Let it sit for 10 minutes, and then rinse in your washing machine in the warmest recommended water, then line dry the items.

How to Remove Ketchup Stains

Ketchup stains can look bad, but thankfully they will harden so that you can scrape off any excess ketchup. Avoid dabbing as that could spread the stain. Flush the ketchup stain in cold water (hot water could set the stain) from the backside of the fabric, then apply detergent to pretreat and rinse the stain once the detergent has sat for five minutes.

How to Remove Blueberry Stains

If you find yourself with blueberry stains on your clothing, remove the garment and rinse it from back to front to flush the stain. Apply an enzyme detergent, then let the fabric sit before running it through the washing machine in the warmest water safe for the clothing. If your fabric is delicate, mix mild detergent in cool water and squeeze the water through it before washing. Finish by line drying.

Learn more about how to remove berry and fruit stains.

How to Remove Toothpaste Stains

Scrape the toothpaste from your clothing and flush the spot with cool water, gently rubbing to help with removal, then consult your care tag before placing it in your washing machine and running in either cool or warm water. After using a wet cloth to blot the stain, soak it again in cool water while rubbing the stain. Let the item air dry.

What Stains Cannot Be Removed from Clothes?

The short answer is that, if you can identify the source of the stain and treat it immediately, most stains can be removed. However, if you stain delicate fabrics, such as silk or wool, these stains can be more difficult to remove. It is also worth noting that any kind of bleaching or household chemicals, like peroxides or cosmetics, can cause permanent stains. Learn more about how to treat tough detergent stains on clothes.

Shop Maytag^® Washers

Features on select Maytag^® washing machines help you remove tough stains, like the Extra Power button, which boosts stain fighting on any wash cycle with a dual-temperature wash. The Deep Fill option can also increase water levels to help loosen stains and soak away messes.