Keeping a home fresh means tackling spills fast. Whether it’s red wine on the carpet or grease on your favorite shirt, knowing how to remove stains quickly saves time and money. These DIY stain removal tips will help you handle common disasters with simple home stain solutions. We’ll walk through 10 stubborn stains, from tomato sauce to sweat, with easy expert-recommended methods. Let’s get started!
How to Clean Tomato Sauce & Ketchup Stains
Sauces are oil-based, so act fast.
- Scrape gently: Lift away excess sauce or ketchup with a spoon without rubbing (to avoid spreading the stain).
- Rinse cold: Hold the fabric’s backside under cold running water to flush out the stain.
- Apply soap: Dab liquid dish detergent or heavy laundry detergent into the stain and work it in. Let it sit for 10 minutes, then rinse again.
- Launder promptly: Wash as usual, air-dry, and check that the stain is gone before machine drying.
How to Clean Blood Stains
Blood is protein-based, so temperature matters.
- Cold water first: Rinse the fresh stain under cold water—never hot, which “cooks” blood proteins into fabric.
- Salt for fresh: If the stain is very fresh, sprinkle salt or pour club soda on it and soak in cold water to lift some blood.
- Detergent wash: Rub in enzyme laundry detergent (or a paste of cold water, detergent, and a bit of ammonia) and wash on cold or warm water (according to the care label). Use oxygen bleach on whites if needed.
How to Clean Red Wine Stains
Red wine’s tannins set quickly, but you can outsmart them.
- Blot immediately: Use a clean cloth to blot up as much wine as possible—never rub.
- Absorb with powder: Generously sprinkle salt or baking soda onto the stain while it’s wet. Let it sit for 10 minutes so it soaks up the wine, then brush away the powder.
- Treat with soap & peroxide: Mix ½ cup dish soap with ½ cup hydrogen peroxide (test first on colored fabrics). Dab this solution on the stain; let it sit for about 30 minutes.
- Launder and air-dry: Wash immediately with detergent. For colored items, you can also try blotting with a 1:1 mix of club soda and white vinegar. Always check before drying—heat sets wine stains.
How to Clean Chocolate Stains
Chocolate combines cocoa and oil—remove carefully.
- Remove solids: Scrape off any chocolate bits with a dull knife. Don’t rub, or you’ll grind fat deeper into fibers.
- Rinse cold: Turn the fabric inside out and flush the stained area with cold water to dilute the cocoa.
- Apply detergent: Rub liquid dish soap or laundry detergent into the stain (which targets the oils). Let it sit for a few minutes.
- Wash normally: Launder on the hottest safe cycle for the fabric. If a trace remains, treat again with detergent or an enzyme stain remover, then wash and air-dry (heat will set any leftover oil).
How to Clean Coffee Stains
Coffee is a tannin stain like wine. Treat it quickly.
- Blot immediately: Use a dry cloth to soak up as much coffee as possible.
- Soak with soap and vinegar: Mix 1 quart of warm water with ½ Tbsp of white vinegar, and soak the stained area for 10 minutes. This helps neutralize the tannins.
- Rinse and repeat: Rinse with water, then sponge with rubbing alcohol if any stain remains (blot to transfer).
- Launder: Finally, wash normally. If a faint ring remains, repeat the treatment before drying.
Beyond Stains: Let Us Handle the Rest
Now that you’ve tackled the toughest stains, let Cascade Maids handle the rest of the mess. From dusty corners to sticky floors, our expert home cleaning service has you covered. Enjoy more free time and a truly refreshed space, without the hassle.
