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Stains: the universal inconveniences that keep us all a little humble. Whether you think they happen due to general carelessness or karmic retribution, stains do not discriminate and almost always seem to get us at the worst time possible. Though not all stains are created equal, we were able to reduce the stress of cleaning them by narrowing it all down to a few Dos and Don’ts:
Do:
- Act fast!
- Blot excess liquid before treating
- Use an oxi-grade stain remover
Don’t:
- Delay or put off treating the stain
- Scrub or press hard into the stain
- Dry the stained item if the stain is still present
Need the specifics? We also got into the nitty-gritty (and gross!) and created a comprehensive guide to getting out just about every stain in the book.
Blood
Rinse the stain with cold water immediately to prevent the stain from settling. Blot — don’t rub — to get as much of the blood out as possible. Then, dab with hydrogen peroxide.
Coffee
Run the stain under cold water and cover the stain in liquid laundry detergent. Let sit for 3–5 minutes and flush with warm water.
Chocolate
Remove any solid pieces from the stain. Cover the stain with liquid detergent and wash immediately.
Deodorant
Make a paste from three parts baking soda and one part water. Rub the paste onto the stain and wash the item at the warmest temperature allowable.
Grass
Apply a stain remover and let sit for 15 minutes. If the stain persists, soak the stain in a solution consisting of one part vinegar and two parts water. Scrub with a brush (we suggest an old toothbrush) and launder as usual.
Grease
Saturate the grease stain in dish soap, let the spot soak for a few minutes, and then toss in the wash.
Ink
Dab the ink spot with either rubbing alcohol or a solution of vinegar and dish soap. Launder as usual.
Ketchup
Working from the backside of the stain, flush with cold water immediately. Pre-treat with a stain remover and launder as usual.
Lipstick
Scrape off as much excess color as possible. Spray the stain with hairspray and let sit for 10 minutes before wiping with a damp cloth.
Mud
Allow the stain to dry, then remove excess. Dilute a gentle detergent with water and rub on the stain to create suds. If the stain remains after laundering, apply a 1:1 solution of water and vinegar to lighten it.
Paint
Remove the dried paint with a paper towel. Dab with a clean sponge using warm water and detergent. After the paint softens, remove it by scraping.
Pet Urine
Dab with detergent and let sit for 15 minutes. Launder as usual. Optional: launder with apple cider vinegar if the odor persists.
Poop
Scrape off any excess. Rinse from the backside of the stain with cold water. Pre-treat by soaking in warm water and detergent for 30 minutes. To disinfect, launder with bleach: chlorine for whites, color-safe for colors.
Sweat
Use a pre-wash solution and let the stain sit as directed. Wash the item in the hottest water recommended for the fabric using an enzyme detergent.
Vomit
Scrape off any excess. Treat with any stain remover and let sit for 30 minutes before laundering.
Wine
Stretch the stained fabric over the opening of a bowl and secure it in place with a rubber band. Sprinkle salt over the stain and flush with hot water. Launder as usual.
2ULaundry is a premium laundry and dry-cleaning pick-up and delivery service available in Charlotte, Atlanta, Tampa, Austin, San Antonio, and Phoenix. Learn more about 2ULaundry and sign up on our website.
