How to remove the 10 most common laundry stains

Removing stains is the most challenging part of doing the Laundry. But once you learn the fundamentals of tackling a stain and the correct products to use, the job becomes much easier!

We’ve compiled a list of the most common family laundry stains and given you a solution for each.

1. Blood

Soak the item in cold water straight away, and then machine wash as usual.

2. Chocolate

Scrape off as much chocolate as you can, then prewash the item with stain remover in warm water. Machine wash as usual.

3. Grass

The longer you leave a grass stain, the harder it is to get out. Use a pre-wash spray first, then machine wash as usual with the hottest water safe for the fabric (check garment instructions).

4. Perspiration and Deodorants

Use a pre-wash spray first. If the stains are old, apply white vinegar to the stain. After rinsing, machine wash as usual with the hottest water safe for the fabric (check garment instructions).

5. Paint

If it’s a water-based paint, wipe of as much as possible with a paper towel. Rinse the item in warm water before machine-washing as usual.

If it’s an oil-based paint, sometimes they recommend an option. Otherwise, apply turpentine then rinse. Use a pre-wash spray; rinse, then and machine-wash as usual.

6. Tomato Sauce

Use a pre-wash spray first, then machine wash with a liquid detergent with the hottest water safe for the fabric (check garment instructions).

7. Markers

Sponge the item with dry-cleaning fluid, starting on the outside of the stain and working your way in. Do this on both sides of the garment with a towel underneath to force the market out. Rinse then machine-wash as usual.

8. Coffee

Soak the item in cold water, if you can’t do this immediately then start with sponging it with cold water. Use a pre-wash spray then machine wash as usual.

9. Gum

Rub an ice cube over the gum to freeze it, and then remove as much as possible by scraping with a blunt knife. Rinse, and then rub in dishwashing liquid to remove any remaining stain. Machine wash as usual.

10. Make up

Use a stain remover or liquid detergent on the stain. Machine-wash the item in the water temperature recommended.

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220 Comments

- - ChiWren said
  - 01 Oct 2024
    1:38 pm
Saving this for future emergency reference! You’ve covered it all

- - mom112217 said
  - 29 Sep 2017
    12:39 pm
I love all the great and handy tips,thanks!

- - mom81879 said
  - 28 Apr 2017
    7:17 am
Love this list! Who hasn’t struggled at some time trying to remove most of these stains?

- - mom81879 said
  - 29 Sep 2015
    6:32 pm
What a fabulous list to hang in the laundry next to your washing machine. There are so many questions on MoMs about stain removal

- - Sandra Wade Baker said
  - 27 Sep 2015
    1:30 pm
can anybody help with removal of cooking oil on clothing

- - Carolineb said
  - 27 Sep 2015
    10:36 am
Great tips. Thanks for the share.

- - Rachel said
  - 27 Sep 2015
    9:20 am
Some really handy tips thanks for sharing as my biggest distress is trying to get send stains out this time

- - maryphilip said
  - 01 Jul 2015
    11:44 am
Great list, I am going to print this and keep it. Thanks for sharing.

- - Danielle said
  - 31 Jan 2015
    12:36 am
I surrently have a laundry basket of kids stained clothes that even napisan didn’t get out 🙁

- - june11 said
  - 27 Dec 2014
    10:15 pm
Some markers and crayons are labelled washable which means they will wash out of fabrics.The ink from some Permanent Markers gradually fades with age.

- - mom93821 said
  - 21 Dec 2014
    12:33 pm
Thanks for sharing this interesting article; good tips.

- - june11 said
  - 14 Nov 2014
    11:02 pm
I have found that a lot of stains are removed with Orange Power Pre-wash Stain Remover.
I dampen the spot, spray with Orange Power and give it a rub. if it is a bad stain I soak it in a bucket of water for awhile then wash in the washing machine as normal. So far, I have got all stains out, including substances such as oil or grease and other with a fat content such as yoghurt.
- june11 replied
  
  14 Nov 2014 , 11:05 pm
  Water based paint will not always come off using the instructions above. It depends on the fabric. It got some on a couple of pairs of slacks made from synthetic material a few years ago and it did not come off
- - mom60497 said
  - 01 Nov 2014
    5:00 pm
Great tips, thanks. Stains are always tricky

- - june11 said
  - 14 Oct 2014
    10:49 pm
I have found that Orange Power Pre-Wash Stain Remover gets marks off that other products do. I have actually rewashed clothing after dampening the spot when spraying.
Some small items I have dampened the soiled marks, given them a good rub, the marks may still be visible, and I have thrown them in a bucket of water for a few hours. Mostly the marks have already disappeared before I wash them. I am very impressed with the product as I got stains off a baby’s bib that had been washed 3 times before.

- - mom94125 said
  - 09 Oct 2014
    12:15 am
these are handy tips to know

- - jaymarie12 said
  - 28 Sep 2014
    8:42 pm
have saved this one for later

- - kazh said
  - 29 Aug 2014
    8:11 am
The tip for sweat and deodorant is invaluable, thanks

- - ginoula5 said
  - 13 Aug 2014
    4:44 pm
Great tips, followed the one to remove markers, worked a treat, thanks so much.

- - makerschke said
  - 30 Jul 2014
    11:35 am
I think I’ll have to bookmark this page for next time something goes wrong! Seriously how much does tomato sauce suck!?

- - mouse said
  - 08 Jul 2014
    2:33 pm
a great list, but I need to get them out with just cold water, I don’t wash in hot