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This post is inspired by my son, who has never failed to get stains on his clothes, especially his t-shirts. It doesn't matter what color they are, inexpensive or otherwise, he always manages to come home with a stained t-shirt. I'm so used to it that I don't even bat an eyelid, but sometimes, my heart would jump for joy if he came home without any stains.
He likes light neutral colored t-shirts, whites, beige and the likes of them because he knows those are colors that suit him and he does look exceptionally handsome in those colors and I buy them for him knowing very well that he'll get them stained the very day he wears them!
It's okay if they're those 3 pack t-shirts that are affordable but it gets frustrating if the t-shirt costs more than anything I own, even if he spent his own money on it. But I surprise myself sometimes at how calm I can be when he comes home and announces that he has a stain on his brand-new t-shirt he just spent a lot of money on. I raise my eyebrows and purse my lips, that's all the reaction that I can muster.
Also, if you've got kids, especially boys who are involved in some sporting activity, you'll understand that feeling when they come home with mud, soil, and grass stains.
To be fair, I also get stains from cooking or cleaning, but I'm not a serial stainer.
We've all been there—your favorite top or dress gets stained, and suddenly, it feels like that's the end of that piece of clothing.
Whether it's coffee, grease, or lipstick, getting rid of stains from clothes doesn't have to be complicated. A quick rummage around your kitchen is all you need sometimes.
This stain removal guide will show you how to tackle 13 common stains with simple home remedies, plus tips for dealing with older stains that might seem like a lost cause.
Kitchen Ingredients That Work Wonders on Stains
Let's take a quick look at the MVPs of removing stains at home.
Baking soda
It's a gentle abrasive that can lift stains without damaging fabrics.
White vinegar
They are great for breaking down organic stains like sweat or grass.
Lemon juice
Known for its natural bleaching properties perfect for light-colored clothes.
Dish soap
It can cut through grease and oil stains easily.
Salt
Absorbs liquid stains like wine or sweat quickly.
Cornstarch
Soaks up excess residue from oil or grease stains.
Hydrogen peroxide
A mild bleaching agent but tough on stains like blood or coffee.
Milk
Is surprisingly effective on ink or makeup stains.
Since you'll have most of these already in your home, that means you don't have to run to the store for expensive stain removers.
How to Get Rid of 13 Common Stains at Home
Stains can be terribly annoying, but with the right approach, they're usually manageable.
Here's how you can reverse 13 of the most common stains, using basic ingredients you already have in your pantry.
Wine Stains
Wine stains can seem intimidating but don't panic, they're easier to deal with than you think.
Start by patting the stain with a paper towel to soak up excess liquid. As much as you want to rub it, don't as it will only cause it to spread out.
Once you've patted the excess liquid, sprinkle a generous amount of salt over the stain and let it sit for about 15 minutes for the salt to absorb the excess liquid.
Rinse with cold water and then toss the garment in the wash as usual.
Oil and Grease
For oil and grease stains, the key is to act fast!
Cover the stain with either baking soda or cornstarch so that it'll absorb as much of the oil and grease as possible. Let it sit for 30 minutes then brush off the powder.
Then apply a small amount of dish soap on the stain, rub gently, rinse with warm water, and put it in the wash.
Tomato Ketchup
Your kids got tomato ketchup on themselves?
Don't worry, their clothes are still salvageable. The first thing to do is to scrape off any excess of ketchup. Soak the stained area in cold water mixed with white vinegar for about 15 minutes, then wash it with warm water and your usual laundry detergent.
Soil and Mud
Soil and mud stains might look as if it's impossible to get rid of, but they're no match for baking soda.
Brush off any loose dirt, then mix baking soda and water to make a paste. Apply this paste to the stain and let it completely dry. Once it's dry, rinse it out and wash the garment as you normally would.
Grass Stains
When dealing with grass stains, white vinegar and baking soda are your best friends.
Combine them to make a thick paste and gently rub it onto the stain with an old toothbrush. Once the paste has had a chance to work its magic, rinse the fabric with cold water and throw it in the wash.
Turmeric
It's not a conventional ingredient in Western cooking but it very much is in Asian and personally, I use turmeric in my cooking quite a bit and it not only stains my hands, but it gets on my t-shirts too whenever I forget to wear an apron.
Turmeric stains are notoriously bright, but lemon juice will be your savior.
Squeeze fresh lemon juice directly onto the stain and let the fabric sit in the sun for about an hour. This natural bleaching action works wonders, especially on light-colored clothes. You can finish by washing as usual.
Sweat
For pesky sweat stains, baking soda will do the trick.
Make a paste with baking soda and water, spread it over the stain, and let it marinate for 30 minutes. Rinse with cold water and wash as you would normally.
Blood
Dealing with blood stains requires a bit of a gentle touch and cold water.
Soak the stained area in cold water mixed with a pinch of salt to loosen the stain. Then apply a small amount of hydrogen peroxide directly onto the area. Let it fizz for a while then rinse thoroughly, and wash as usual.
Coffee
When it comes to coffee stains, the first step is to pat dry any excess liquid with a paper towel. Next, rub a little dish soap into the stain using your fingers or a soft cloth.
Follow up with a rinse of cold water—repeat if needed, then wash normally.
Ink
Milk might sound strange but for ink stains, it works wonders.
Submerge that stained area in a bowl of milk and let it soak for 30 minutes. After that, gently blot the area, rinse, and wash.
Chocolate
If you've got tiny clothes with hardened chocolate on them, which is expected if you have kids, that's okay.
Just scrape off any chocolate residue first, then apply a small amount of dish soap to the stain, rinse under warm water, and wash the garment to remove any remaining residue.
Deodorant
A quick baking soda paste will get rid of deodorant stains.
Just rub the paste over the stain, let it sit for about 10 minutes, then rinse with water and wash as normal.
Lipstick Stains
Finally, lipstick stains can be removed by using rubbing alcohol.
Dab a small amount of alcohol onto a cotton ball and gently blot on the lipstick stain. Once the stain starts to lift, rinse the fabric with cold water and throw it in your normal wash cycle.
How to Get Rid of Old Stains on Clothes
Old stains can prove to be trickier, but also not impossible. Here are a few things you can try:
Vinegar and Baking Soda Soak
Fill a basin with warm water then add 1 cup of white vinegar and 1 tablespoon of baking soda. Soak the stained garment for an hour, then scrub the stain gently before throwing it in the wash.
Hydrogen Peroxide Treatment
For light-colored fabrics, apply hydrogen peroxide directly to the stain. Let it sit and fizz for a few minutes, then wash.
Stain Removal Paste
Combine baking soda, dish soap, and water into a paste. Rub the paste onto the stain, let it sit for 15 minutes, then you can put it in the wash.
For older stains, you might want to repeat the process a few times.
Getting rid of stains from your clothes doesn't have to be complicated or expensive.
With a few basic items that you already have in your kitchen, you can tackle almost any stain. The key is to act quickly when possible and to use the right method for each stain you're dealing with. You'll probably even succeed with those old stains that you gave up on.
Remember that a little effort goes a long way when it comes to stain removal.
If you enjoyed these tips, I'd love it if you shared this post on Pinterest! Thanks!
