For more than a decade, I’ve been sharing tips and techniques on how to remove stains from clothing, furniture, carpet, and just about every other household surface. If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years, it’s that using the right tools and methods often makes all the difference!
Likewise, using the wrong approach can make some stains even worse. It’s enough to make anyone feel like they need a chemistry degree just to keep their clothes and homes clean!
Luckily, that’s not actually the case. I’ve put a lot of time and effort into researching and testing various ways to remove stains, and you’ll find the best and most effective ones in this stain removal guide! (I’ve also put together a handy stain removal chart with tips for removing various stains that you can print and keep handy in your laundry room — it’s free to download!)
We’ll begin by covering stain removal methods for clothing, after which we’ll move onto tips for stains on carpet, upholstery, and solid surfaces.
How To Remove Common Stains From Clothes
Make My Ultimate Stain Remover Spray
I’m going to refer to this DIY stain remover a lot in this post, so I wanted to mention it right away. My go-to stain remover for clothing and linens, which I like to call my “Ultimate Stain Remover Spray,” is a simple solution of 1 part Dawn dish soap and 2 parts hydrogen peroxide. It’s important to store this spray in a dark-colored spray bottle away from sunlight, because hydrogen peroxide breaks down when exposed to too much light.
To use it, simply spray it onto stains until they’re completely saturated, then launder as usual. (Before using this stain remover spray, or hydrogen peroxide in general, on colored clothing items, you may want to do a spot test in a hidden area to make sure the fabric is colorfast. I’ve never experienced discoloration or bleaching after using peroxide on colored clothing, but not all fabrics and dyes behave the same way!)
How To Remove Old, Dried, Or Set-In Stains
Old, set-in stains can be some of the most difficult to remove, and I often receive questions from readers about how to remove stains out that have been sitting around a while. The answer may be unusual, but it’s effective nonetheless: use lemon essential oil!
It couldn’t be easier to remove stains with lemon essential oil — you simply apply a few drops to the stain and then toss the item in the wash! Even the toughest stains don’t stand a chance. (One reader even wrote in to tell me she was able to get hair dye out of a brand new white bath rug using this tip!)
How To Remove Oily Stains And Grease Stains
To remove greasy or oily stains from clothing, put a piece of cardboard behind the stain, then lift as much of the oil as you can out of the fabric by dabbing it with a clean cloth. Saturate the stain with hydrogen peroxide, then add a couple of drops of Dawn dish soap and sprinkle baking soda over the top before scrubbing with a small brush.
Allow the baking soda, peroxide, and soap mixture to sit on the stain for 30 minutes to an hour to give the ingredients time to break down and absorb the oil. Wash the garment in cold water and repeat, if necessary.
For old oil stains, rehydrate the stain first by applying a few drops of lemon essential oil to it. Wait half an hour and launder — if the stain isn’t completely gone, proceed to the peroxide and baking soda method described above.
How To Remove Ink Stains
After experimenting with various solvents, I discovered that hand sanitizer is one of the best stain removers for ink stains. Just put some cardboard behind the stain and saturate it with hand sanitizer, then use an old toothbrush to work it into the fibers. Let it sit for a minute or two, then dab with a clean white cloth or paper towel. When the ink is gone, apply your stain remover of choice before laundering.
How To Remove Blood Stains
Hydrogen peroxide is the easiest way to remove blood stains. After placing something behind the fabric to prevent the stain from spreading, spray a generous amount of peroxide directly on the stain, adding more as needed until most of the blood has disappeared. Leave the peroxide on the stain for 10-15 minutes, then rinse with cold water before laundering the item (also in cold water).
If peroxide alone doesn’t remove the blood stain entirely, add a drop of Dawn dish soap to the spot and sprinkle a little baking soda over it. Scrub with a brush, then rinse and launder in cold water.
More Ideas You'll Love
How To Remove Permanent Marker Stains
To get stains out from permanent markers or other ink pens, there are a variety of stain removers you can use, including isopropyl alcohol, aerosol hair spray, nail polish remover, vinegar, white toothpaste, or even a dry erase marker. (However, these markers are called “permanent” for a reason, and some such stains may be impossible to remove completely.)
To remove permanent marker from clothing, put a piece of cardboard behind the stain and use a clean cloth or cotton ball to blot the stained area with one of the solvents listed above. Move to a clean area of your cloth as necessary and continue dabbing until the marker stain is removed, then rinse well.
To remove permanent marker stains from leather, treat the stain as soon as possible with white vinegar on a clean, damp cloth. Blot to lift stains out, then apply a leather conditioner once the stain is gone.
How To Remove Yellow Armpit Stains
To remove armpit stains and other common stains from sweat and body oil, combine 1 part Dawn dish soap with 2 parts hydrogen peroxide in a small bowl. Apply the soap and peroxide mixture to the stain(s), add a bit of baking soda, then use a laundry scrub brush to scrub the stain removers into the fabric. After scrubbing, let the garment sit for at least an hour before laundering as usual.
How To Remove Deodorant Stains
If you’re heading out the door and suddenly spot white deodorant stains or marks on your clothes, don’t fret! You can wad up an old pair of pantyhose or a dryer sheet and rub away those marks in a jiffy. (If that doesn’t work, the marks have likely already set, but it’s nothing my Ultimate Stain Remover Spray can’t fix!)
How To Remove Grass Stains
For grass stains on clothing, you’ll get the best results using my Ultimate Stain Remover Spray, an enzymatic stain remover (like Shout or OxiClean MaxForce), an enzymatic laundry detergent (like ECOS Plant Powered or Rockin’ Green Active Wear), or a paste of water and oxygen bleach. (Avoid chlorine bleach, which can make grass stains worse.)
Apply one of these stain removers to the grass stain and let it sit for 15-30 minutes, then launder the garment in warm water before letting it air dry. Repeat the process again, if necessary.
For set-in grass stains, let the treatment sit longer or soak the stained item in an oxygen bleach solution overnight. Just follow the package directions for soaking soiled clothing.
For grass stains on canvas shoes, add a few drops of dish soap and 1 tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide to a small dish of water and stir to combine. Dip an old toothbrush into the peroxide solution, then use it to gently scrub the stain. Use a clean, dry cloth to lift the stain, then use a damp cloth to “rinse” out any remaining residue.
For grass stains on leather shoes, gently wipe away the stain with clean cloth dipped into a solution of equal parts vinegar and cold water. When the stain is gone, apply a shoe polish or conditioner to rehydrate and protect the leather.
More Ideas You'll Love
For grass stains on Crocs (and similar clogs and slides), apply a small amount of laundry detergent to the stain, scrub with a small brush, then rinse the shoes well and let them dry before wearing. If detergent alone doesn’t cut it, combine enough baking soda and hydrogen peroxide to form a paste, scrub the paste onto the stain, then let the paste dry before wiping it off with a damp cloth.
How To Remove Ring Around The Collar
In my experience, the most effective stain removers for ring around the collar include my Ultimate Stain Remover, a paste of powdered dishwasher detergent and water, a Fels-Naptha laundry bar, or a mixture of dish soap, hydrogen peroxide, and baking soda.
Apply one of these stain removers to the dampened, stained collar, scrub it in with a small brush, then let it sit for 20 minutes or up to an hour. Put the shirt in your washer with 1/2 cup of washing soda and your usual detergent, start the cycle, then pause it after 10 minutes and let the shirt soak for 30 minutes to an hour before resuming. (If you can’t pause your washer, soak the shirt in a sink or bucket.)
How To Remove Paint Stains And Splatters
To remove paint from clothes, apply a generous amount of hand sanitizer to an old toothbrush, then scrub the paint splatters in small, circular motions. Add more sanitizer as needed until the paint is lifted from the fabric.
For particularly stubborn paint, you can add some rubbing alcohol as well. When the paint stains are gone, wash as usual.
How To Remove Blueberry Stains & Other Berry Stains
There’s a surprising way to remove not just blueberry stains, but every type of stain caused by berries or jams, and all you need is a kettle to boil water, a colander or sieve, and a large rubber band. Start by centering the stained area over the colander or sieve, then use a rubber band to secure the garment in place before placing the whole thing in a sink or tub.
Holding the kettle at a height, pour boiling water onto the stain, and watch as the hot water makes those fruit stains disappear! After checking to ensure the stain is gone, launder as usual.
7 Mistakes To Avoid When Treating Clothing Stains
- Don’t rinse with hot water. Hot water can permanently set certain stains, especially protein-based ones like blood, and make them nearly impossible to remove.
- Dab, don’t rub. Rubbing at a stain puts stress on the soiled fabric and can make the stain even bigger.
- Don’t dry a stain! It’s important to make sure the stain is completely gone before drying it, as heat can set some stains into fabric permanently.
- Don’t mix stain removers. It’s never a good idea to mix chemicals, including stain removers, because certain chemicals can create harmful gases when mixed. (Ammonia and bleach is one example of a potentially lethal combination.) Try one stain remover, launder the item, then try another one if the first doesn’t remove it completely.
- Don’t apply too much product. Applying more of a stain remover than you really need can make it difficult to rinse out, especially when working with items that aren’t easy to wash. To avoid overdoing it, apply stain removers lightly in repeated applications if necessary.
- Don’t wait to treat stains. The longer a stain sits on your clothes, the harder it can be to remove.
- Don’t start in the center. Starting your stain removal efforts in the center of a stain can cause it to spread. Instead, start at the edges and work your way in.
Stain Removal Tips For Carpet And Upholstery
Make A DIY Carpet Stain Remover
I like to keep my favorite DIY carpet stain remover spray on hand so that I’m always ready to treat spills and stains ASAP. To make it, add 2 teaspoons of borax to a 16-ounce spray bottle, then add 1 cup of distilled white vinegar and 1 cup of distilled water. Add 10 drops of lemon essential oil, then replace the spray top and shake to combine.
To use it, spray it onto carpet stains and let it sit for 5-10 minutes. Press on the stain with a clean cloth to lift it out of the carpet fibers. Continue dabbing with the cloth until the stain is gone, then use a damp cloth to rinse the spot before allowing the area to air dry.
The Best Stain Removal Method For Stubborn Carpet Stains
To remove tough carpet stains like paint, or difficult stains that have already dried out, this ammonia and ironing method can be a lifesaver. First, gather up some household ammonia, hot water, a spray bottle, a stack of clean towels, and a clothes iron.
Fill the spray bottle with equal amounts of ammonia and hot water, shake to combine, then spray it liberally over the carpet stain. Spread a clean towel over the area, then place your hot iron on the towel, moving it around slowly to avoid singeing the carpet. After a few seconds, you should be able to see that the stain is transferring from the carpet to the towel.
Spray with more diluted ammonia and repeat the process, switching to a clean towel as needed. Once the stain has been removed, allow the carpet to dry thoroughly before walking on it.
How To Remove Pet Stains & Eliminate Odor
To remove pet stains from carpet, start by blotting up as much of the stain as you can with paper towels or old rags, then saturate the stain with white vinegar. Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda over the top, then let it sit until the area dries completely (which may take as long as a day or two, so cover the area with large dish to prevent it from getting stepped on).
Once dry, scoop up the hardened baking soda, then go over the area with your vacuum to remove the rest. (If that doesn’t eliminate the stain or smell entirely, you may have more luck using an enzymatic cleaner.)
How To Remove Spilled Wax From Carpet
Spilled candle wax or wax melts on your carpet? Grab your iron and a big stack of newspapers. Put a couple of sheets of newspaper on the spilled wax and run your hot iron over the top of it. The heat will slowly melt the wax while the newspaper picks it up off the carpet.
As the newspaper gets waxy, repeat the process with clean newspaper until all of the wax has been removed. (If you use old towels you don’t mind throwing away afterward, the process will go even faster!)
Tips For Coffee Stains, Red Wine Stains, Or Kool-Aid Stains
To remove colorful stains like red wine, coffee, or juice from carpet, a little dish soap can go a long way! Add 1/2 teaspoon of Dawn dish soap and 1 tablespoon of vinegar to 2 cups of warm water, then dab the soap and vinegar solution onto the stain. Continue applying and soaking up the solution until the stain is gone.
You can also treat wine stains with washing soda. Use 1 tablespoon of washing soda in 1 cup of water and follow the same process described above.
How To Remove Ink Stains From Carpet
To remove marker stains from carpet, I’ve found that rubbing alcohol can remove almost any kind of marker. Just apply it to the stain, then use a clean, damp cloth to lift the stain out of the carpet fibers.
To remove marker stains from upholstery, stir 1 tablespoon of Dawn dish soap and 1 tablespoon of white vinegar into 2 cups of cool water, then use a sponge to dab the solution onto the marks. Let it sit for half an hour before dabbing the stained area firmly with a clean, damp cloth. Repeat as necessary.
To get ink out of carpet and upholstery, apply enough hand sanitizer to saturate the stain, let it sit for a minute or two, then soak it up with clean cloths. Rinse with a damp cloth.
How To Remove Oily Stains From Carpet
The DIY carpet stain remover I mentioned at the top of this section works great on oil and grease stains. Another option is to add 1 tablespoon of dish soap and 1 tablespoon of ammonia to 2 cups of warm water, then dab it onto the stain before using a paper towel to take it up. Use a clean damp cloth or sponge to “rinse” the carpet, then let it dry.
How To Remove Blood Stains From Carpet
To remove blood stains from carpet, saturate them with hydrogen peroxide and blot with clean cloths until the stain is gone. You may have to apply and absorb the peroxide several times to get all the blood out, depending on the severity of the stain.
BONUS: My Pick For The Best Commercial Carpet Stain Remover
I use my DIY carpet stain remover extensively, but if there’s one commercial product I like enough to use at home, it’s Folex Instant Carpet Spot Remover. I’ve used it to remove stains from carpet, clothing, furniture upholstery, and car upholstery and carpet with excellent results. It’s easy to use, and I also like that it’s water-based and less likely to leave behind rings. (It doesn’t seem to work as well on pet stains, but that’s one small downside to an otherwise effective cleaner and stain remover!)
Removing Stains From Hard Surfaces
Tips For Tackling Hard Water Stains
If you’re looking for tips on how to get hard water stains, water spots, or mineral deposits off of bathroom and kitchen surfaces, vinegar is your new best friend! I like to combine vinegar with Dawn dish soap to give it a thicker consistency, so it sticks better to the stains you’re trying to remove.
Spray the vinegar and soap solution generously on tile, glass shower doors and enclosures, bathtubs, fixtures, and other areas with hard water stains. Let it sit for 30 minutes, then scrub away the loosened hard water stains (it also cuts through soap scum!) and rinse thoroughly.
You can also use vinegar to remove hard water stains and mineral deposits from shower heads and faucet heads. If you can remove them, do so and soak them in a container full of vinegar. If you can’t remove them, pour vinegar into a ziplock bag, slide the bag around the fixture, then secure the bag in place with a rubber band and let it soak overnight.
How To Remove Pet Stains & Odor From Wood Floors
For pet stains on sealed wood flooring, add 1 part water and 1 part vinegar to a spray bottle, then use it to wipe down the area. If that doesn’t eliminate the odor entirely, clean the area again with a solution of 1 part hydrogen peroxide to 2 parts cool water.
Removing pet urine from unsealed wood flooring will require more time and attention, but it is possible to remove. Start by blotting the area with cold water, then scrub the area with white vinegar and rinse with more cold water. Wipe with a towel until the floor feels dry, avoiding leaving the vinegar on the wood for too long. Continue until the stain and odor are gone.
How To Remove Marker From Walls, Floors & Furniture
For permanent marker on walls, dampen a cloth or sponge with rubbing alcohol or plain white toothpaste, then gently rub the stain in a circular motion. If that doesn’t remove all of the ink, try carefully rubbing the area with a damp magic eraser, or putting a few drops of lemon essential oil onto a clean cloth and using it to wipe away the ink.
To remove permanent marker from wood furniture or floors, apply alcohol or regular toothpaste to the stain and let it sit for a few minutes. Dab or gently rub the area with a damp cloth to remove the ink and stain remover, and repeat until the stain is gone.
To get ink off hard surfaces and painted walls, lightly rub with a damp magic eraser. On surfaces like metal and stone, you can use hand sanitizer or alcohol, but a magic eraser is less likely to do damage or make a bigger stain on painted walls.
How To Remove Stains From Stone Countertops
To remove colorful stains from stone countertops, scrub the stained area with a soapy sponge, then create a thick paste of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda and spread it over the stain. Let it sit on the stain overnight, then wipe up the dry paste in the morning.
How To Remove Old Stains From Concrete
Believe it or not, drain cleaner makes it fairly easy to remove grease stains and other types of discoloration from concrete. Pour a bit of drain cleaner onto the stain, let it sit for few minutes, then pull on a pair of cleaning gloves and scrub the area with a stiff nylon brush. Use paper towels to soak up as the drain cleaner and stain residue, then rinse the area thoroughly with plenty of water.
Download My Printable Stain Removal Cheat Sheet
My printable Stain Removal Cheat Sheet features effective methods for treating stains from grease, blood, sweat, fruit/jam, ink, and more. In addition to those techniques, it also includes the recipe for my go-to homemade stain remover that works like a charm—even on mystery stains!
Download my free Stain Removal Cheat Sheet using the button in the box below to make treating stains easier than ever!
Stain Removal Cheat Sheet
Download this handy stain removal guide, print it out, and hang it in your laundry room for easy reference.
Do you have a go-to method to remove stains?
While we’re talking about DIY stain removal mixes – here’s something NOT to mix: Hydrogen peroxide and vinegar. This creates peracetic acid. Not only is it potentially corrosive and damaging to the surface it’s applied to, the fumes are damaging to throat, lungs, eyes, skin.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I tried the peroxide, Dawn and baking soda – on my Dad’s white shirts that had wring around the collar stains. It worked great using an old toothbrush to scrub. Total 10O% improvement. He was amazed.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Do you have a stain removal tip for removing grass stains?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Sherry, mix equal parts vinegar and water. put it on the stain and let it sit for 30 minutes. Then scrub the stain with laundry detergent and rinse in cold water. Finally wash the garment.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I meant that I use the combination of Dawn and baking soda if it’s a stubborn blood stain.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I just use peroxide on the blood stains. It usually takes it right out if it’s a fresh stain. I’ve also used the Dawn and peroxide if it’s a stubborn blood stain.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.The guide for mold. Tree bark oil plus what?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Sheila, just click on the link below for my post with the recipe and details on how to use it.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.This Easy Natural Cleaner Gets Rid Of Mold And Mildew
An easy removal for a blood stain of your own blood is your own saliva! If you stick yourself with a pin or get a paper cut and get blood on a shirt, you can spit on it, rub it in and rinse. It only works with the spit of the person whose blood it is.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.