Stain Removal Basics

The Top 10 Rules of Stain Removal

1. Act quickly: Fresh stains are always easier to remove than old stains. Treat spills and stains as quickly as possible.
2. Know what caused the stain: If you know what caused a stain, you can usually figure out the best cleaner and method to use to remove it (see The Six Types of Stains and The Most Common Household Stains). The combination of the right cleaner and method will improve your chances of removing a stain.
3. Know the surface: Make sure you know the properties and limitations of a stained surface before treating it. If the stained fabric or surface has a label, check it for care instructions before treating the stain (see How to Remove Stains from Clothes, How to remove Stains from Carpets, and How to Remove Stains from Furniture Upholstery).
4. Know the cleaning agent: Always read the label on a cleaning agent before using it to treat a stain. Be sure to obey all precautions regarding surfaces and materials that some cleaning agents might harm.
5. Test the cleaning agent: Always test a cleaner the first time you use it on a fabric or surface by applying a tiny bit of the cleaner to a part of the fabric or surface that’s hidden from view. In testing the cleaning agent, look for any adverse reaction on the fabric or surface, such as color bleeding, fading, or wrinkling. This is known as testing for colorfastness.
6. Be gentle: Always favor the gentlest approach to stain removal. Though it’s tempting to use the most powerful cleaner right away, you’ll do less damage to fabrics and surfaces by first trying a gentler approach. Use heavy-duty cleansers, such as turpentine, only as a last resort.
7. Apply heat only when instructed: Hot water is usually not better than cold water at removing stains. Heat and hot water actually cause many types of stains to set. Treat stains with cold water unless specifically instructed to do otherwise—and never put any stained material directly into the dryer before attempting to remove the stain.
8. Use clear detergent only: Never use liquid detergent dyed to appear blue or another color for stain removal. Only clear detergents should be applied directly to stains. It’s fine to use colored detergents when laundering in a washing machine.
9. Blot, don’t rub: It’s tempting to rub stains to remove them. But rubbing stains can expand the stains and embed them more deeply within the material or surface you’re cleaning. Rather than rubbing, blot stains with an up-and-down motion. Blotting will draw the stain up from its source and away from the stained material or surface.
10. Be safe: Though most stain removal is perfectly safe, certain cleaners can be dangerous if used improperly. Always follow stain removal safety guidelines.

Stain Removal Safety

• Follow safety instructions: Read them and follow them.
• Use safety gear: Always wear gloves. It’s also a good idea to protect your eyes, face, and all other exposed skin when working with any cleaning agent stronger than mild detergent or white vinegar.
• Make sure there’s ventilation: The area where you’re working must be well ventilated. If you’re using a product that gives off fumes, such as bleach or turpentine, wear a filtered cleaning mask over your nose and mouth.
• Know your skill level: Don’t undertake any stain removal or cleaning task that may be beyond your level of expertise. Instead, hire a professional.
• Keep supplies away from kids and pets: Make sure all stain removal supplies are safely out of reach of children and pets. Also, have your local poison control contact information on hand in the event of an emergency.
• Don’t mix ammonia and bleach: Ammonia and bleach are powerful cleaners that should never be mixed: the resulting fumes are toxic and carcinogenic.