realsimple Ultimate stain-removal chart Wipe out any spot, smudge, or splatter with this go-to guide for washable fabrics. AFTER TREATING Wash fabrics as recommended. The sooner, the better! DRINKS COFFEE Boil some WATER and stretch the fabric over a bowl. Carefully pour the water through the stain from about a foot above. If the coffee had milk in it, follow with an oil solvent, like CARBONA STAIN DEVILS #8 COFFEE, TEA, WINE AND JUICE ($3.40, soap. com). If it contained sugar, follow with a pretreatment product, like SHOUT TRIGGER TRIPLE-ACTING STAIN REMOVER ($3.30, amazon.com) and let sit for 30 minutes before washing. JUICE Apply a DISH-SOAP solution (1 tablespoon clear soap in 10 ounces water). Blot to remove the stain and soap residue. If the stain remains, use a warm white towel to blot on an AMMONIA solution (1 part ammonia to 2 parts water). WINE For red wine: Coat the stain with salt. Boil water and stretch the fabric over a bowl. Carefully pour the water onto the spot from about a foot above. For white wine: Run cold water over the stain, then spray with a dish-soap solution (see Juice) and dab with an enzyme detergent. (Most everyday detergents contain enzymes.) TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 DRINKS 4 MAKEUP + OUTDOORS 2 FOOD 5 HOUSEHOLD + GROSS STUFF 3 SAUCES + CONDIMENTS 6 GROSS STUFF continued
FOOD Use a spatula or a plastic knife to scrape off any excess. Apply a HYDROGEN PEROXIDE formula ( 1 2 teaspoon dish soap and 1 2 cup hydrogen peroxide). Rinse. BERRIES Scrape off any excess. Then spray with a DISH-SOAP solution (see Juice) and dab with DETERGENT. CHOCOLATE GUM Rub an ICE CUBE over the spot to freeze the gum, then chip away as much as possible using a spatula or a plastic knife. To loosen the remaining residue, apply a lubricant, like GLYCERIN, then scrape it off. Rinse. If any gum remains, dab with DISH SOAP. Rinse thoroughly with cool WATER, then apply a stain pretreatment, such as SHOUT. Fill a sink with more cool WATER and a few drops of DETERGENT and let soak. ICE CREAM 2 of 6
SAUCES AND CONDIMENTS Scrape off any excess, then apply a DISH-SOAP solution (see Juice). Blot with a damp towel to remove any residue. If the stain persists, apply a few drops of WHITE VINEGAR. TOMATO SAUCE Flush the stain with WHITE VINEGAR, then apply a DISH-SOAP solution (see Juice) and let sit for 15 minutes. MUSTARD Treat with SHOUT. If any of the stain remains, use an eyedropper or a clean toothbrush to apply WHITE VINEGAR to lighten it. KETCHUP Sprinkle CORNSTARCH on the spot and let sit to soak up the oil. Rinse with cool water. Apply SHOUT and let sit for another 15 minutes. SALAD DRESSING Rinse stain with cold running WATER. Blot with AMMONIA solution (see Juice) then rinse again. Pretreat with SHOUT. SOY SAUCE 3 of 6
MAKEUP Place the stain facedown on clean paper towels. Apply NAIL-POLISH REMOVER to the back of the stain. Replace the paper towels frequently to soak up the liquid. Repeat as needed. Rinse in cold water. (Note: If the fabric is acetate or triacetate, take the piece to a dry cleaner.) NAIL POLISH Apply RUBBING ALCOHOL to the stain using a cotton swab, then blot with a cotton ball. Repeat as needed. FOUNDATION LIPSTICK Spritz the spot with HAIR SPRAY and let sit for 10 minutes. Wipe with a damp cloth to remove any residue and remaining stain. OUTDOORS Treat with SHOUT and let sit for 15 minutes. Rub in solution using a clean toothbrush. GRASS DIRT OR MUD Scrape off any excess once the stain is dry. Dilute a gentle detergent, like WOOLITE, with water and rub it on to form suds. Rinse. If any stain remains, apply a solution of 1 part WHITE VINEGAR and 1 part WATER to lighten it. 4 of 6
HOUSEHOLD MATERIALS Rub an ICE CUBE over the spot to freeze the wax, then chip away as much as possible using a plastic knife. Boil some WATER and stretch the fabric over a bowl. Carefully pour the water onto the spot from about a foot above. CANDLE WAX INK For ballpoint: Create a PETROLEUM-JELLY dam around the stain to stop it from spreading. Next, apply RUBBING ALCOHOL with a clean toothbrush. Open a window for ventilation and dab with a cotton ball and MINERAL SPIR- ITS. Let dry. Rinse with a DISH-SOAP solution (see Juice). For permanent marker: Use a clean toothbrush to rub AMODEX INK AND STAIN REMOVER ($15, wayfair.com/rsstain) into the spot. Use a paper towel to wipe away any dried acrylic-paint or water-based-paint residue. Sponge on a solution of DETERGENT diluted with WARM WATER. After the paint softens, remove the excess with a spatula or a plastic knife. Rinse and repeat as needed. PAINT GROSS STUFF POOP Scrape off any excess using a plastic knife. Turn the fabric over and rinsethoroughly with COLD WATER. Pretreat by soaking in WARM WATER with DETERGENT for 30 minutes. To disinfect completely, add CHLORINE BLEACH OR COLOR-SAFE BLEACH to the wash and launder in warm water. For a wet stain: Soak in WATER, then dab on AMMONIA with a cotton swab. For a dry stain: Soak in SALT WATER for a few hours. Rinse. Treat with an AMMONIA solution (see Juice). BLOOD 5 of 6
VOMIT Scrape off any excess using a plastic knife. Treat with SHOUT and let sit for 30 minutes. (To disinfect completely, add CHLORINE BLEACH OR COLOR-SAFE BLEACH to the wash and launder in WARM WATER.) UNDERARM YELLOWING For a fresh stain: Dab with SHAMPOO. For an older stain, make a paste by stirring 4 ground-up DIGESTIVE-ENZYME TABLETS (such as Nature s Plus Digestive Enzyme) with 1 tablespoon WATER. Apply and let sit for 1 hour. Dab with DETERGENT. Soak for a few hours. BABY FORMULA Pretreat with SHOUT. If the discoloring remains, apply AMMONIA if the stain is fresh or WHITE VINEGAR if the stain is old. Rinse. COLLAR RING Dab with DETERGENT and let sit for 15 minutes. PET URINE DRYER TIP Be sure a stain is removed before drying or the heat will set it. Donna Smallin Kuper, certified housecleaning technician and author of Clear the Clutter, Find Happiness. THE STAIN EXPERTS Kevin Tibbs, formulation scientist and creator of the Better Life line of cleaning products. The Real Simple home-department editors. ILLUSTRATIONS BY Eight Hour Day 6 of 6