Removing Clothing Stains: Remove blood, grease, grass, oil and more

Is there anything more frustrating than getting bacon grease on your favorite shirt? Or red wine on your favorite date-night pants? When this inevitably happens, you can give up and give in to the stain and crown a new, ultimately less-favorite shirt – or you can go to war to save that fabric.

We encourage the latter and have some successful cleaning tips for removing all kinds of nasty, stubborn stains, from blood and grass to wine, oil and more. Regardless of the substance, there are some simple steps you can follow to remove just about anything each stain with a few household items you probably already have at home.

For more cleaning tips, explore how to clean workout clothes And how to clean your running shoes.

How to remove oil and grease stains from clothes

Oil and grease stains are difficult to remove, but not impossible. Dab some detergent onto the stain and wash the garment according to the label instructions, or try a combination of dish soap and white vinegar for stubborn stains.

The method described below is one that cohorts of online advice givers swear by, requiring only dish soap and baking soda. And remember, time is of the essence when it comes to oil and grease, so tackle the stains as soon as you notice them.

1. If there are any stains, first blot the stain and remove the excess product.
2. Apply a few drops of mild dish soap to the stain. Rub the soap in with clean fingers until the detergent completely covers the stain.
3. Then apply a tablespoon of baking soda to the soap and scrub it into the fabric for two minutes (you can use a soft-bristled toothbrush for a more efficient scrub).
4. Once the mixture forms a paste, let the solution and the garment sit for an hour.
5. Rinse the garment in the sink and then machine wash it.

How to remove grass stains from clothes

Grass stains are almost inevitable on children’s clothing and can be difficult to remove. You may be able to machine wash them or use a stain remover, but if that doesn’t help, here’s a good solution:

1. Soak the garment in a stain-fighting mixture for 30 minutes. You can use a solution of 2 cups of white vinegar or a mixture of dish soap and hydrogen peroxide.
2. Scrub the area gently with a soft brush.
3. Rinse the mixture thoroughly from clothing with cold water.
4. Machine wash according to label.

How to remove blood stains from clothes

Blood is notoriously difficult to get out of clothes and may require multiple treatments. But it’s easiest to remove when it’s fresh, so act as quickly as possible. Here’s one method:

1. Soak the stained garment in cold water in the sink as soon as you notice the stain. (Make sure the water is cold, as warm water stimulates blood proteins to draw the stain into the fabric.) If the stain is very recent, remove any excess with a paper towel or even run the garment under the tap to to remove it. as much as you can.
2. Rub the stain with a hydrogen peroxide (20%)mixture (1 part hydrogen peroxide to 6 parts cold water) or apply a baking soda paste (2 parts baking soda to 1 part water).
3. Rinse the garment with cold water before machine washing.

How to remove sweat stains from clothes

It’s unfortunate, but it happens. However, even in the hottest climates, you don’t have to let sweat ruin your clothes with this method:

1. Make a solution of a quarter cup of white vinegar with a cup of water.
2. Soak the sweat stain with the mixture or completely submerge the garment.
3. Let the garment soak for a full 30 minutes.
4. Rinse with cold water and machine wash.

How to remove coffee stains

I drink coffee like it’s my job. I love it. But I really don’t like the coffee stains that inevitably end up on my work blazer or favorite business pants when I’m in a hurry in the morning. How to remove coffee stains:

1. Immerse the stained garment completely in warm water.
2. Dab a mild detergent or a diluted white vinegar mixture (a quarter cup of white vinegar to a cup of water) onto the stain.
3. Machine wash on the hottest setting your garment will allow.

How to remove red wine stains from clothes

After a night out, you might be shocked by the sight of red wine on your favorite blouse or collared shirt. Although it may look dramatic, you can remove red wine stains easily and effectively:

1. Blot the stain with a paper towel to remove excess material.
2. Mix a solution of equal parts hydrogen peroxide and dish soap and lightly rub the mixture into the stain with your fingers.
3. Let the solution sit for 20 minutes to an hour before rinsing.

If you prefer not to use hydrogen peroxide, you can use white vinegar and dish soap instead and follow the steps above as mentioned.

In short

Either way, with a little effort and some time you can go a long way to keeping your clothes looking like new. Remember not to put the garment in the dryer until the stain is completely gone (so the stain doesn’t harden) and feel free to repeat any of the above processes as necessary to get the stains out.

For more laundry tips, explore why it might be time to ditch your favorite laundry project and the most energy efficient way to do your laundry.

Frequently asked questions