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Whether the stains are on clothes, carpets, or furniture, you'll want to get them out to preserve the appearance of the item. Most stains can be removed without professional help, if you know what to do. Read on to learn how to remove stains.
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Introduction
- Knowing how to remove stains can save you time and money, and help you preserve the appearance of items you care about. It's important to act quickly, but it's critical to know what type of stain you're dealing with before applying anything at all to the stain. You could make things worse, for example, if you apply soap and water to a stain that should be treated with an enzyme cleaner, for example.
Step 1: Act Quickly
- If you're fortunate enough to notice the stain soon after the accident occurs, you've increased the odds that you'll be able to successfully remove it. Blot up as much as you can, using an absorbent white cloth. The reason to use a white cloth is two-fold.
- A white cloth doesn't contain dyes that may be transferred and make your problem worse, and you'll also be able to tell easily when you can't soak up any more of the stain
- Blot, don't rub, as rubbing can raise the fibers of the fabric and embed the stain further.
Step 2: Identify the Stain
- For best results, you'll want to identify the substance that caused the stain, as different stains require different solvents. If you can't identify the stain, test small portions of the stain with an enzyme based cleaner, then a dry cleaning solvent, and then a water based cleaner to see which will have the best success.
Step 3: Match the Solvent to the Stain
- There are many substances that can create stains. Each responds best to a different solvent. Here are several resources that can help you determine the best substance to apply to your specific stain:
- Good Housekeeping: Stain Buster
- The Soap and Detergent Association: Laundry Fact Sheet
- Dilmaghani's: Interactive Stain Removal Chart
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