How to Remove Common Stains from Clothes: A Simple Guide

Accidents happen, even when wearing your favourite clothes. If we’d always have to change into different clothes when dinner arrives, the whole idea of going out to eat would lose its fun, romance, and joy! Whether it’s a splash of red wine, a drop of grease, or a blotch of sunscreen, knowing what to do when the stain has occurred can save your favorite garments in no time. In this short but practical guide, we will go over some of the most common stains and teach you
how to get rid of them.

Sunscreen stains

At first hand, they may look like an impossible task: how to get sunscreen out of clothes? While sunscreen is absolutely essential for healthy skin protection, it is less so essential for your favorite shirt. The key to removing sunscreen stains is acting quickly. As soon as you notice the stain, grab a clean paper towel and remove the excess sunscreen from the garment. Rinse the stain area under cold running water, apply a liquid dish soap or a stain remover product directly to the stain. Gently massage the soap or remover product into the affected area, and let it sit for about 10-15 minutes. Is the stain still there? Sprinkling a little baking soda on the stain might take out some deep rooted remaining oil. After removing all the cleaning products from the garment, wash your clothing item in the hottest water declared safe for your garment. If after drying you are still noticing some residue, repeat the entire process until clean.

Red wine stains

Red wine stains look the most intimidating of all–they seem to discolour your garments after all. Luckily for you, they don’t have to be permanent. The moment a spill occurs, pat the stain gently with a clean cloth to let it absorb as much liquid as possible. Pouring some table salt over the stain can help as well; it draws out the wine before it sets in. After a few minutes, rinse the garment with cold water and apply a specific stain remover or strong laundry detergent. Does the stain linger after washing it? Try soaking it in some cold water and oxygen-based bleach before washing it again.

Grease and oil stains

Much like sunscreen, grease and oil stains are all, well, oil-based. While they can be tricky to remove, we are looking at applying the same process as with sunscreen stains. Immediately remove any excess oil to prevent further absorption by the garment. Dish soap tends to work wonders on grease and oil stains, as dish soap is specifically designed to encapsulate and remove oil from objects. Apply a small amount to the stain, gently rub it in, and let it sit for a few minutes. Afterward, rinse with warm water and wash it at its maximum allowed temperature.