Stain Removal Guide

Use this stain removal guide to rescue your beloved items. 

It's annoying when you get a stain on your favorite item of clothing or the new carpet that you have saved all year to buy. But there is almost always a stain removal method that will restore your prized item to pristine condition.

Call to Action
Before considering which stain removal products work best on which stains, there are some general guidelines for dealing with stains when they happen. The first rule of stain removal is to move quickly to apply your chosen stain removal product. The quicker you move, the more likely it is that you will be able to remove the stain successfully. Let the stain hang around, soak in or dry, and it becomes much harder (or even impossible) to remove. When you drop a substance where it shouldn't be, drop everything and get straight to work on stain removal.

Get as much of the substance off the affected area as you can without causing further staining or damage. This will avoid having the substance spread further while you are cleaning. The more you have to clean up, the more difficult it will be to remove the stain. Blot liquids, scrape off solids or shake powders.

Material Choices
Once you have completed damage control, you need to figure out what the stain is made of. You may use different stain removal methods for removing engine oil, ice cream or muddy water. In addition, it is important to know what material the stained substance is made of, as you may have to alter the stain removal product accordingly. Whether you are using a manufactured stain removal product or a home remedy, follow the instructions for removing the stain. Use the right product on the right stain for the right amount of time. That will give you the best chance of keeping the item intact. Never mix cleaning products, as this may produce a toxic gas that can kill.

Once you have chosen a stain removal product, test it on a concealed area. If you are removing a stain from a garment, then try the product on a seam or hem to see if the garment remains colorfast. Avoid products that change the color of your garment. If you're cleaning a sofa, test your product on the part that's against the wall. For carpets, test a spot under a piece of furniture or in a closet.

Applying Your Product
Now it's time to apply your chosen stain removal product and give it time to work. Some stain removal products need to sit on the stain for 15 minutes before you try to remove them. If you are cleaning a garment, rest it on a piece of cloth. Apply the product to the back of the stained area if this is practical. The reason for this is to keep the stain from penetrating through the layers of fabric. Start your treatment from the center of the stain and move outward so you don't end up with an unsightly ring around the stain. Treat your stained item with care. If you rub it, fold it, squeeze it or wring it, then the stain may go even deeper and may become impossible to remove. As the stain begins to lift, move the item you are treating so that the stain does not spread to a new area.

Some stain removal substances can be dangerous if handled incorrectly. For example, the solvents used for dry cleaning may be a fire hazard if a garment is put directly into a washing machine. If you have used these solvents, let the garment dry before washing it. Using bleach, even bleach for colored garments, can leave a mark where the stain was. It is better to bleach the whole garment so that any color loss is even.

Cleaning Up
Once you have removed as much of the stain as you can, follow the manufacturer's instructions for cleaning the item. For clothing, follow any washing instructions to the letter, then allow the garment to air dry. When treating stains, avoid heating the material by ironing or using a tumble dryer. This may set a stain that has not been fully removed.

With some stains, you may need to apply multiple treatments before the stain is completely removed. Be patient and follow the directions every time so that you can restore the stained substance to its natural state. There will always be the occasional stain that you can't remove, but rest assured that most stains will disappear with proper cleaning.