Fabric Stain Removal: Our Essential A-Z Guide

Battling with a wine stain that just won’t go away? Fear not! Every fabric stain has its own remedy, so we’ve collated a simple A-Z stain removal guide covering some common spills and how you can get rid of them.

Before we begin…

Some methods could have an effect on fabrics. Always test any product/method on a small, discreet area of the garment, such as the inside hem of a t-shirt.
Read the fabric care label. This will give you an idea as to whether or not the removal agent or technique works with the specific material.

Adhesives

Removal agent: Nail varnish remover or lemon juice

How to: Dab the stained fabric with your nail varnish remover or lemon juice using a cotton pad or swab. Blot* away any excess product with a cloth.

*Blot by placing a cloth over the stain and repeatedly pressing down to help absorb excess liquid.

Ballpoint pens and felt tips

Removal agent: Laundry detergent or hairspray

How to: Apply a small amount of water to the stained area and blot with a clean cloth, then apply liquid detergent to the stain and leave it to sit for 3-5 minutes. Wash normally on the hottest water temperature recommended on the fabric care label.

For more stubborn stains, spray the stain with hairspray and blot with a clean cloth until the stain is gone or is much less visible. Wash as normal.

Beer

Removal agent: White vinegar and warm water

How to: Distil white vinegar with warm water and use to sponge the stain before rinsing and washing.

Blood

Removal agent: Salt, water and biological detergent

How to: Soak the item in cold salty water (keep changing the water until it’s clear). Wash as usual using a biological detergent.

Chewing gum

How to: Put the item in the fridge inside a plastic bag to harden the gum. Once it is hard and brittle, it can then be cracked and picked off.

Chocolate

Removal agent: Cold water and liquid detergent

How to: If the chocolate hasn’t fully dried, gently scrape any excess using a spoon before rinsing with cold water. Apply liquid detergent directly to the stain and add to your wash.

Coffee and tea

Removal agent: Cold water and liquid detergent

How to: On fresh stains, rinse under cold water then gently rub with liquid detergent. Wash as soon as possible to make sure the stain is completely removed.

Cooking oil/fat

Removal agent: Blotting paper and liquid detergent

How to: Use blotting paper to soak up as much of the oil as possible. Then, pre-treat the stain by dabbing liquid detergent into the fabric before washing at the highest temperature indicated on the fabric label.

Deodorant

Removal agent: White vinegar

How to: If the stain is quite old, apply distilled white vinegar to the area and allow it to sit for 30 minutes. Wash as normal.

Grass

Removal agent: Liquid biological detergent

How to: Carefully rub a small amount of liquid biological detergent into the stain and leave it to work for 3-5 minutes. Rinse with water and wash as usual.

Hair dye

Removal agent: Water and detergent

How to: Scrape off any excess hair dye before rinsing the item under cold water. Soak in warm water with detergent for 30 minutes. Rinse again with cold water, apply liquid detergent to the stain and wash as normal.

Lipstick

Removal agent: Stain remover

How to: Lift away any residue lipstick with a spoon and work stain remover into the stain with a soft-bristled brush. Allow it to work for 15 minutes before washing on the highest water temperature recommended on the fabric care label.

Mascara

Removal agent: Liquid detergent

How to: Pour a little liquid detergent directly onto the stain and, without washing off the detergent, add to your wash as usual.

Milk

Removal agent: Warm water and liquid detergent

How to: Rinse the item under warm, running water, apply liquid detergent to the stain and wash as normal.

Mud

Removal agent: Liquid detergent

How to: Remove any excess mud to avoid it depositing into the drum. Pour a little liquid detergent onto the stain and, without washing off, add to your wash as normal.

Nail varnish

Removal agent: Nail varnish remover

How to: Apply a small amount of non-oily nail varnish remover from the back of the fabric and wash as normal.

Perspiration

Removal agent: Clear vinegar or lemon juice

How to: Sponge the stain with vinegar (lemon juice on wool), rinse and wash as normal.

Shoe polish

Removal agent: Soap

How to: Rub the stain with a bar of soap, then wash immediately.

Sun cream