Top 10 Tips For Removing Stains
Plus Glossary Of Terms And Techniques

Removing stains does not need to be complicated, but it is always best to understand the basics. Therefore, here are the top ten tips for successfully getting rid of stains.

Tip 1: Treat The Stain Quickly - You are most likely to be able to successfully remove any stain if you treat it as quickly as possible. Every second counts.

As soon as you see a spill blot it up immediately, and take additional measures to make sure it does not set.

Tip 2: Blot The Stain - Don't Rub It! - When treating stains your first instinct may be to rub the carpet, clothing or upholstery fibers vigorously to scrub out the offending stain, but resist the urge. The best technique for removing stains is to blot the stain with a clean white cloth so that the stain does not get pushed furher into the carpet fibers, but instead as much of the stain as possibile is transferred into the white cloth you are blotting with.

Tip 3: Know What Type Of Stain It Is Before Treating It - It is always best to know what type of stain you are treating before you begin, such as ballpoint ink or barbecue sauce. This allows you to plan how you will remove it, using the appropriate steps for that type of stain.

The A-Z Stain Removal Guide gives you step by step instructions for removing over 100 types of stains, so this can be a great resource for you.

If you can't figure out the type of stain you have though, which sometimes happens, try these techniques for how to remove stains of unknown origin.

Tip 4: Make Sure Your Stain Removal Technique Is Appropriate For Your Stained Surface - Not only do you need to know what type of stain you have, but you also need to pay attention to what surface the stain is on, such as washable clothing, carpet, the wall, wood, leather, etc. A stain removal technique which may be safe for one surface may ruin another.

I've created a list of the top eight stain removal techniques you should use in most situations, with explanations of how to do them, and when they're most useful.

In addition, this site makes a point of explaining what treatments work on which types of stains and what surfaces, so use this information to help you out when removing stains yourself.

Tip 5: Follow Care Label Instructions - Many items, including clothing, have care label instructions for how they can be cleaned. In addition, upholstery generally have cleaning tags too. Follow these instructions when removing stains and you are much less likely to ruin your item with a particular stain removal treatment.

Tip 6: Start With The Most Conservative Stain Removal Method First, And Only Go To The Harsher Treatments If Needed - You don't want to bring out the big guns first thing if simply rinsing the item and presoaking will remove the stain, for example. That is because the more harsh the treatment the more likely your item will get ruined in the process of stain removal.

Be patient. You may have to try a couple of things before you find the one that works on your stain.

Tip 7: Do Not Combine Stain Removal Products - Although you may need to try several different methods for stain removal, as stated above, you should not be combining different stain removers together in an attempt to treat the stain. This can cause adverse chemical reactions, such as formation of a toxic gas when you combine bleach and ammonia.

To avoid this thoroughly rinse and remove one stain removal treatment product before trying another one.

Tip 8: Check For Colorfastness - Especially when you start dealing with harsher treatments for removing stains the stain removal products you are using may change the color of the fabric or fiber you are trying to treat. There is nothing worse than a bright white spot on a red t-shirt where the stain remover yes, removed the stain, but also the red dye in the shirt.

To avoid this problem always test for colorfastness in an inconspicuous area of clothing, carpet or upholstery before using the stain removal product on the stained area.

Tip 9: Always Check To Make Sure The Stain Is Removed Before You Place It In The Dryer - Nothing sets a stain worse than drying it in a dryer. If your stain removal method does not completely remove the stain after going through the wash try another method, or at the least let it air dry instead of placing it in the dryer so you will have a better shot and removing the stain with another method.

Tip 10: Some Stains Just Won't Come Out - Try as you might some stains just won't come out, for reasons beyond your control. You must be patient when working through the process of stain removal, but also realize some stains are just permanent and there is nothing you can do about it.

Major Categories Of Stains To Watch Out For When Removing Stains

Here are some articles about the major categories of stains to watch out for. These aren't necessarily a specific type of stain, but instead common stains based on season or holiday, or groups of stains.

Baby Stains	Thanksgiving Stains

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CAUTION: This website is provided for informational purposes only, and Stain-Removal-101.com provides it as is, without warranties or guarantees. Some stains just won't come out, and are permanent. Further, some stain removal methods can harm your item, so if the stained item is sentimental or expensive call a professional. See disclaimer of liability for more information.