How to Remove Common Laundry Stains: Complete Guide

From morning coffee spills to grass stains from weekend activities, stains happen. The good news? Most stains can be removed if you treat them correctly. Here's your complete guide to tackling the most common laundry stains.

Golden Rule: Always treat stains as soon as possible. The longer a stain sits, the harder it is to remove.

Stain Removal by Type

Coffee & Tea Stains

1Rinse immediately with cold water from the back of the stain
2Apply liquid dish soap or laundry detergent directly to stain
3Rub gently and let sit for 5 minutes
4Wash in the warmest water safe for the fabric

Pro Tip: For old coffee stains, soak in a mixture of water, dish soap, and white vinegar for 15 minutes before washing.

Red Wine Stains

1Blot (don't rub) immediately with a clean cloth
2Cover the stain with salt to absorb the wine
3Pour boiling water through the stain from about 8 inches above
4Apply dish soap and hydrogen peroxide mixture, let sit 20 minutes
5Wash as normal

Pro Tip: The key is acting fast - dried red wine stains are much harder to remove.

Grass Stains

1Pre-treat with liquid laundry detergent or dish soap
2Let sit for 15-30 minutes
3For stubborn stains, apply white vinegar and let sit another 15 minutes
4Wash in the hottest water safe for the fabric

Pro Tip: Don't use hot water before pre-treating - it can set grass stains permanently.

Grease & Oil Stains

1Sprinkle baking soda or cornstarch on the stain to absorb oil
2Let sit for 15-30 minutes, then brush off
3Apply dish soap (Dawn works great) directly to the stain
4Work it in with an old toothbrush
5Wash in the hottest water safe for the fabric

Blood Stains

1Rinse immediately with COLD water (hot water sets blood stains!)
2Apply hydrogen peroxide for white fabrics, or dish soap for colors
3Let sit 10 minutes, then blot
4Wash in cold water

Warning: Never put a stained item in the dryer until the stain is completely removed. Heat will set the stain permanently.

Sweat & Deodorant Stains

1Mix equal parts baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and water
2Apply to the yellowed area and let sit 30 minutes
3Scrub gently with an old toothbrush
4Wash as normal

General Stain Removal Tips

Blot, don't rub: Rubbing spreads the stain and pushes it deeper
Work from outside in: This prevents the stain from spreading
Test first: Test any treatment on a hidden area first
Check before drying: Make sure stain is gone before using the dryer

When to Seek Professional Help

Some stains are best left to professionals, including:

Ink stains on delicate fabrics
Set-in stains that haven't responded to home treatment
Stains on silk, leather, or "dry clean only" items

Our Surprise location offers dry cleaning services for items that need professional care.