How to Remove Tough Stains from Your Clothes at Home: 10 Handy Tips
It only takes one tumble on muddy terrain or one badly-timed spill and, just like that, your favourite piece of clothing ends up buried at the back of your wardrobe, no longer in regular rotation. But the good news? With a few clever tricks, you can oust any dirty mark and bring your clothes back to life! So, read on to discover 10 tried-and-true ways to remove common stubborn stains, using everyday items you probably already have at home.
Before you start...
No matter the stain, there are three golden rules to keep in mind:
• Gently blot (don’t rub!) any excess dirt or liquid with an absorbent material such as kitchen roll.
• Never use hot water – heat can set the stain in permanently.
• Act fast! Treat the stain as quickly as possible, before it dries out and clings to the fabric for good.
Best stain remover for tea & coffee spills
A little slip at breakfast or a knock of your cup at your favourite café, and suddenly your lovely new t-shirt has a tea or coffee stain. No need to stress – just rub a bit of lemon juice onto the spill, then pop it straight into the wash.
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Getting rid of oil stains from your clothes
Got oil on the bottom of your trousers from a bike chain? Rub a small amount of unsalted butter onto the stain to help break down the oil. Gently scrape away the excess with the back of a dull knife, then sprinkle over some bicarbonate of soda and work it in using light circular motions. Once complete, you can put your garment in the washing machine with your regular laundry detergent.
What about getting chewing gum off your garments?
If you’ve found yourself in a bit of a sticky situation and have chewing gum stuck to your clothes, rub the area with an ice cube until the gum hardens, or alternatively you can place the entire garment in the freezer for about an hour. Once the gum becomes solid, gently scrape it off with a dull knife.
Need to remove a chocolate stain? White vinegar is your best bet!
For the sweet-toothed among us, this one’s all too familiar. Rinse the chocolate-stained fabric under cold water first. If the stain is still there, gently dab it with a cloth soaked in white vinegar, using circular motions.
Have your colours run after washing them? Here's how to fix your clothes
Washed your pale blue tee with your red jumper and ended up with blotchy pink patches? Don’t give up just yet! A bay leaf infusion might just do the trick. Boil around 10 bay leaves in a pan of water for an hour until it turns a nice golden colour. Remove the leaves, then soak the stained garment in the liquid, giving it a stir every now and then with a wooden spoon. Once the water has completely cooled, take the garment out. The marks should be gone... Then give your garment a wash in the machine for good measure.
Removing grass and mud stains
With summer just around the corner, you may see an increase in grass and mud stains thanks to all the picnics, barbecues and plenty of outdoor fun that the season brings! To deal with mud, let it dry fully before brushing off the excess, then pop the garment in the wash. For grass stains, it’s best to pre-treat with liquid detergent or an enzyme-based stain remover and let it sit for about 15 minutes. Wash in warm water (while still adhering to the temperature on your garment’s care label) and then let your garment air dry.
How to remove grease from your clothes
Forgot to wear an apron while cooking or barbecuing? If you’ve got grease stains on your clothes, sprinkle the spots with talcum powder, flour or cornflour and then gently brush it off. Crushed white chalk also works well! If your garment is made from cotton, you can use white vinegar instead, dabbing it directly onto the stain before putting the item into the washing machine.
Got tomato sauce on your white shirt? Here's how to get rid of the stain using soap!
Spilled a bit of Bolognese on your top? Grab that trusty white bar of soap! Wet the stain with cold water, give it a good dab with the soap, then rinse with cold water.
Wondering how best to remove yellow sweat stains, especially from white clothes? Use vinegar, lemon or baking soda
Your white shirt may look spotless from afar, only to be ruined by yellow underarm stains upon closer inspection. To freshen it up, dab white vinegar, baking soda or lemon juice on the yellowed areas. Leave to soak for about an hour before popping your item in the wash.
Removing red wine from a fresh white shirt
Spilled red wine on your shirt but not at home to fix it? You can still act immediately! Use still or sparkling water or head to the nearest bathroom and gently blot the stain before running it under the tap. You can also use soap before rinsing with cold water. And, while you may have heard about salt being a good remedy, we recommend steering clear. Salt soaks up the liquid but leaves behind the tannins, which actually cause the staining. When you get the chance, pre-treat with detergent and pop your garment in the wash as normal. If your stain is no longer fresh, having had a few hours to settle, try dabbing it with a bit of white wine before washing the affected item straight after.
Good as new!
So, there you have it! The next time you find yourself with a tough stain, you'll know how to react! And, if you're looking for more tips on taking care of your clothes and extending their lifespan, why not check out our clothing care guide or our tips on how to read care labels?