Remove Tough Stains from Clothes

The rule most people break: heat sets stains permanently. Never put a stained item in the dryer or use hot water until the stain is fully gone. Cold water first, always.

Step 1 — Act Fast (First 5 Minutes)

1. Blot (don't rub) with a clean cloth to absorb as much as possible.
2. Rinse from the back of the fabric under cold running water — this pushes the stain out instead of deeper in.
3. Do not scrub — it breaks fabric fibres and spreads the stain.

Step 2 — Identify Your Stain

• Protein stains (blood, sweat, egg, dairy): Cold water + enzyme cleaner. NEVER hot water — it cooks the protein into the fabric.
• Oil/grease stains (butter, cooking oil, makeup): Apply dish soap or a degreaser directly. Let sit 10 min, then wash cold.
• Tannin stains (coffee, tea, wine, juice): White vinegar or OxiClean soak, then cold wash.
• Ink/dye stains: Isopropyl alcohol on a cotton ball, blot outward from center.
• Grass/mud stains: Let mud dry completely before brushing off — do NOT wet first. Then enzyme cleaner.
• Set-in old stains: Soak in OxiClean warm water solution for 1–6 hours before washing.

Step 3 — Treat and Wash

1. Apply your stain remover and let it penetrate for at least 5–10 minutes (don't let it dry on the fabric).
2. Wash on the coolest cycle appropriate for the fabric.
3. Check the stain before drying — if still visible, repeat the treatment. Drying = permanent.

Nuclear Option for White Fabrics

Mix oxygen bleach (OxiClean) with the hottest water safe for that fabric and soak for up to 6 hours. Never use chlorine bleach on anything with spandex, wool, or colour.

Pro tip: Keep a small spray bottle of 50/50 white vinegar and water in your laundry room. It neutralizes most fresh stains instantly, is safe for nearly every fabric, and costs almost nothing. Pre-treat within minutes of a spill and you'll rarely need anything stronger.