How to Remove Every Type of Stain in a Few Simple Charts

Over the years, Real Simple's editors have figured out how to tackle every single type of stain imaginable. Whether you need to know how to remove ink stains from your favorite blouse or how to remove coffee stains from a scarf, we've tested out multiple methods to find the best solution.

Here, we're compiling all of our tried-and-true stain solutions, using basic supplies you likely already have around the house, such as white vinegar, dish soap, and laundry detergent. Follow the tips below, then consult our ultimate stain removal chart for the step-by-step plan. It'll be like that spill, smudge, or splatter never happened—you won't see even a hint of that tea stain on your silk pillowcase.

Assemble a Stain-Fighting Kit

Keep these essential ingredients in your cleaning cabinet, so you'll always be ready for a red wine spill on your favorite couch or a sauce splatter on the tablecloth. A carpet stain remover like OxiClean is a great one to have on hand. Safety note: just as when cleaning anything, there are some dangerous chemical combos you should avoid when mixing up stain fighters. Never combine bleach and ammonia, as it can create a toxic gas.

• Dish soap
• Hydrogen peroxide
• White vinegar
• Table salt
• Detergent
• Cornstarch
• Color-safe bleach
• Rubbing alcohol
• Ammonia
• Stain removal spray

How to Remove Food and Drink Stains

Berries

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.

Chocolate

Scrape off any excess. Then spray with a dish soap solution (see juice) and dab with detergent.

Gum

Rub an ice cube over the spot to freeze the gum, then chip away as much as possible using a spatula or plastic knife. To loosen the remaining residue, apply a lubricant like glycerin, then scrape it off. Rinse, and if any gum remains, dab it with dish soap.

Ice Cream

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.

Juice

Apply a dish soap solution (one tablespoon clear soap in 10 ounces of warm water). Blot to remove the stain and soap residue. If the stain persists, use a warm white towel to blot on an ammonia solution (one part ammonia to two 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).

Tomato Sauce

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.

Mustard

Flush the stain with white vinegar, then apply the above dish soap solution and let it sit for 15 minutes.

Ketchup

Treat with Shout. If any of the stain remains, use an eyedropper or a clean toothbrush to apply white vinegar to lighten it.

Salad Dressing

Sprinkle cornstarch on the spot and let sit to soak up oil. Rinse with cool water. Apply Shout and let sit for another 15 minutes.

How to Remove Makeup Stains

Nail Polish

Place the stain facedown on clean paper towels, then 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).

Foundation

Apply rubbing alcohol to the stain using a cotton swab, then blot with a cotton ball. Repeat as needed.

Lipstick

Spritz the spot with hairspray and let it sit for 10 minutes. Wipe with a damp cloth to remove any residue and remaining stain.

Mascara

Follow the same steps from foundation, above.

Deodorant

Mix two tablespoons of distilled white vinegar and two tablespoons of cool water in a small bowl. Dip a soft-bristled brush into the mixture and scrub the inside armpits of the shirt. After treating, fill a tub with cool water and add one cup of distilled white vinegar. Add clothes and let it soak for 30 minutes.

How to Remove Outdoor and Household Stains

Grass

Treat with Shout and let sit for 15 minutes. Rub in solution using a clean toothbrush.

Dirt or Mud

Scrape off any excess once the stain is dry. Dilute a gentle detergent, like Woolite, with warm water and rub it on to form suds. Rinse. If any stain remains, apply a solution of one part white vinegar and one part water to lighten it.

Sap

First, grab a butter knife and gently scrap off an excess sap. Dip a microfiber cloth in some rubbing alcohol and dab the stained spot gently, then blot with a paper towel when done. If the stain remains, sprinkle some detergent over the stain and let it sit for 15 minutes before putting the item in the regular wash.

Candle Wax

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 into the spot from about a foot above.

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 spirits. Let it dry. Rinse with a dish soap solution (see juice).

Permanent Marker

Use a clean toothbrush to rub Amodex ink and stain remover into the spot.

Grease

Cover the entire stain with liquid detergent, then dampen the area with water. Rub the liquid on the stain spot until it starts to foam up. If the stain isn't coming up, scrub with a toothbrush, then rinse the stain with water.

Crayon

Scrape excess crayon off with a fork or butter knife. The place the stained item face-down on a. paper towel and place another piece of towel on top of it. Press with a warm iron to release the stain onto the paper towel. Repeat until all of the stain transfers. Once it's gone, dab stain remover onto the stain along with a bit of detergent and scrub with a toothbrush. Wash the item on a normal cycle.

Paint

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 plastic knife. Rinse and repeat as needed.

How to Remove Stains from Gross Stuff

Poop

Scrape off any excess using a plastic knife. Turn the fabric over and rinse thoroughly with cold water. Pretreat by soaking in warm water with detergent for 30 minutes. To disinfect completely, add chlorine bleach or a color-safe bleach to wash and launder in warm water.

Blood

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, then treat with an ammonia solution (see juice).

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 under warm.

Underarm Yellowing

For a fresh stain: Dab with shampoo. For an older stain, make a paste by stirring four ground-up digestive enzyme tablets (like Nature's Plus Digestive Enzyme) with one tablespoon of water. Apply and let sit for one hour.

Baby Formula

Dab with detergent. Soak for a few hours.

Collar Ring

Pretreat with Shout. If the discoloring remains, apply ammonia (if the stain is fresh) and white vinegar (if the stain is old). Then rinse.

Pet Urine

Dab with detergent and let sit for 15 minutes.

Other Tips to Remove Stains from Clothes

• Act fast! Deal with stains when they happen. The longer you wait, the more the stain will set into the fibers. For on-the-go spot treatment, use a portable stain remover like Tide To Go pen.
• Treat the stained spot using the specific solutions below, then wash the item as instructed on the care label.
• Start with the mildest stain solution first, then work your way up to harsher or more involved methods.
• Never dry the garment until the stain is fully removed, or else the heat could set the stain.

Have a spill? Find the best solutions for stubborn stains on the carpet and rugs here.