SELECT YOUR STAIN
HOW TO REMOVE RED WINE STAINS
COTTON & COTTON/POLY BLENDS
Good for: white clothes, lights, darks, jeans, towels, sheets
1. Rinse in cold water to flush out as much of the stain as possible.
2. Apply an enzyme detergent1 to the stain and allow to set a few minutes.
3. Wash in the warmest water safe for the garment. Add some oxygen bleach3 or chlorine bleach for white cottons to help with dark stains.
POLYESTER, SPANDEX & NYLON
Good for: white clothes, lights, darks, active wear
1. Rinse in cold water to flush out as much of the stain as possible.
2. Apply an enzyme detergent1 to the stain and allow to set a few minutes.
3. Wash in the warmest water safe for the garment. Add some oxygen bleach3 to help with dark stains.
WOOL, SILK, LINEN, RAYON & ACRYLIC
Good for: sweaters, blouses, sheer fabrics, swimsuits
1. Mix a mild detergent2 in cool water then add the stained garment.
2. Gently squeeze the soapy water though the garment to help release the stain.
3. Wash in the warmest water safe for the garment. An oxygen bleach3 can be used to further help with removal if safe for your delicate fabric.
MAYTAG TIP: OXYGEN BLEACH VS. CHLORINE BLEACH
Oxygen bleach is an alternative to traditional chlorine bleach that is generally safe on colors. It's colorless, fragrance-free and comes in either a liquid or powder form. Products often begin with “Oxy” and don’t call themselves “bleach” but “stain remover” instead.
HOW TO REMOVE BLOOD STAINS
COTTON & COTTON/POLY BLENDS
Good for: white clothes, lights, darks, jeans, towels, sheets
1. Flush fresh blood in cold water as soon as possible.
2. Soak in cold water with an enzyme detergent1 for 30 minutes or longer.
3. If any stain remains, apply some detergent directly on the stain and wash in cool or cold water with an oxygen bleach3.
POLYESTER, SPANDEX & NYLON
Good for: white clothes, lights, darks, active wear
1. Flush fresh blood in cold water as soon as possible.
2. Soak in cold water with an enzyme detergent1 for 30 minutes or longer.
3. If any stain remains, apply some detergent directly on the stain and wash in cool or cold water with an oxygen bleach3.
WOOL, SILK, LINEN, RAYON & ACRYLIC
Good for: sweaters, blouses, sheer fabrics, swimsuits
1. Flush fresh blood in cold water as soon as possible.
2. Soak in cold water with gentle detergent for 30 minutes or longer.
3. If any stain remains, apply some detergent directly on the stain and wash in cool or cold water with an oxygen bleach3.
MAYTAG TIP: NEVER APPLY HEAT TO A BLOOD STAIN
Whether you’re washing or drying, exposing blood stains to heat will cause proteins to bind to fibers, essentially “cooking” the stain into your clothes.
HOW TO REMOVE INK STAINS
COTTON & COTTON/POLY BLENDS
Good for: white clothes, lights, darks, jeans, towels, sheets
1. Test stain removal process on a hidden place on the garment before continuing.
2. Place a paper towel on the stain. From the back side of the fabric, drip isopropyl alcohol or spray hair spray onto the stain. Remove paper towel and repeat with a new one until stain is removed.
3. Apply detergent or stain treatment to the stain and wash in the warmest water safe for the garment.
POLYESTER, SPANDEX & NYLON
Good for: white clothes, lights, darks, active wear
1. Test stain removal process on a hidden place on the garment before continuing.
2. Place a paper towel on the stain. From the back side of the fabric, drip isopropyl alcohol or spray hair spray onto the stain. Remove paper towel and repeat with a new one until stain is removed.
3. Apply detergent or stain treatment to the stain and wash in the warmest water safe for the garment.
WOOL, SILK, LINEN, RAYON & ACRYLIC
Good for: sweaters, blouses, sheer fabrics, swimsuits
Note: For delicate fabrics, consider taking to a professional cleaner.
1. Test stain removal process on a hidden place on the garment before continuing.
2. Place a paper towel on the stain. From the back side of the fabric, drip isopropyl alcohol or spray hair spray onto the stain. Remove paper towel and repeat with a new one until stain is removed.
3. Apply detergent or stain treatment to the stain and wash in the warmest water safe for the garment.
HOW TO REMOVE COFFEE STAINS
COTTON & COTTON/POLY BLENDS
Good for: white clothes, lights, darks, jeans, towels, sheets
1. Rinse in cold water to flush out as much of the stain as possible.
2. Apply an enzyme detergent1 to the stain and allow to set a few minutes.
3. Wash in the warmest water safe for the garment. Add some oxygen bleach3 or chlorine bleach for white cottons to help with dark stains.
POLYESTER, SPANDEX & NYLON
Good for: white clothes, lights, darks, active wear
1. Rinse in cold water to flush out as much of the stain as possible.
2. Apply an enzyme detergent1 to the stain and allow to set a few minutes.
3. Wash in the warmest water safe for the garment. Add some oxygen bleach3 to help with dark stains.
WOOL, SILK, LINEN, RAYON & ACRYLIC
Good for: sweaters, blouses, sheer fabrics, swimsuits
1. Mix a mild detergent2 in cool water then add the stained garment.
2. Gently squeeze the soapy water though the garment to help release the stain.
3. Wash in the warmest water safe for the garment. An oxygen bleach3 can be used to further help with removal if safe for your delicate fabric.
MAYTAG TIP: STOP STAINS FROM SPREADING
When applying treatment to a stain, work from the outside in to prevent spreading.
HOW TO REMOVE CHOCOLATE STAINS
COTTON & COTTON/POLY BLENDS
Good for: white clothes, lights, darks, jeans, towels, sheets
1. Use a dull knife or spoon to lift off any excess.
2. Flush stain in cool water from the backside of the garment.
3. Soak in cool water with an enzyme detergent1 for 10 - 20 minutes.
4. Apply an enzyme detergent to any remaining stain and wash in the hottest water safe for the garment with an oxygen bleach3 or chlorine beach for white cottons.
POLYESTER, SPANDEX & NYLON
Good for: white clothes, lights, darks, active wear
1. Use a dull knife or spoon to lift off any excess.
2. Flush stain in cool water from the backside of the garment.
3. Soak in cool water with an enzyme detergent1 for 10 - 20 minutes.
4. Apply an enzyme detergent to any remaining stain and wash in the hottest water safe for the garment with an oxygen bleach3.
WOOL, SILK, LINEN, RAYON & ACRYLIC
Good for: sweaters, blouses, sheer fabrics, swimsuits
1. Use a dull knife or spoon to lift off any excess.
2. Flush stain in cool water from the backside of the garment.
3. Mix a mild detergent2 in cool water then add the stained garment.
4. Gently squeeze the soapy water though the garment to help release the stain.
5. Rub a little detergent into any remaining stain, then wash in the warmest water safe for the garment with an oxygen bleach3.
HOW TO REMOVE GRASS STAINS
POLYESTER, SPANDEX & NYLON
Good for: white clothes, lights, darks, active wear
1. Rub an enzyme detergent1 directly on the stain. Gently, work into fibers.
2. Wash in the hottest water safe for garment with an enzyme detergent.
WOOL, SILK, LINEN, RAYON & ACRYLIC
Good for: sweaters, blouses, sheer fabrics, swimsuits
1. Mix a mild detergent2 in cool water then add the stained garment.
2. Gently squeeze the soapy water though the garment to help release the stain.
3. Wash in the warmest water safe for the garment. A color safe bleach can be used to further help with removal if safe for the garment.
Terms to know for this stain removal guide
1. Enzyme detergents target stains such as blood, food stains, grass, and others. These are most commonly liquid formulations but powdered formulations are also available. Check the label of your detergent to see if yours contains enzymes.
2. Mild detergents tend to be formulated for delicate fabrics or sensitive skin. The labels often indicate that they're fragrence free or gentle on skin.
3. Oxygen bleach is an alternative to traditional chlorine bleach that is generally safe on colors. It's colorless, fragrance-free and comes in either a liquid or powder form.
More ways to fight tough stains
What Are Your Laundry Symbols Telling You?
Decode the symbols on your clothing tag to learn what they really mean.
How (and Why) to Use High-Efficiency (HE) Detergent in Your Washing Machine
Learn the ins and outs of using HE detergent in your washing machine.
Washing Machine Settings Explained
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