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Stain removal guide
Work out how to shift any stain from any fabric, step by step. Coffee, wine, blood, grass, ink and grease are all covered.
Quick start
Choose the type of stain, then the fabric or surface, and you'll get step-by-step removal instructions.
Step 1 of 2
Find your stain
Search 25 common stains, or filter by type.
25 stains
The basics
Six rules that apply to every stain
Act fast
The sooner you treat a stain, the better your chances of removing it completely.
Blot, don't rub
Blotting lifts the stain out. Rubbing spreads it wider and pushes it deeper into the fibres.
Test somewhere hidden
Always try a cleaning solution on an inconspicuous part of the fabric before the stain itself.
Work outside in
Clean from the outer edge toward the centre so you do not push the stain outwards.
Check before drying
Heat sets stains. Make sure the mark has gone before the item goes anywhere near a dryer.
Start with cold water
Cold water is safe for most stains. Hot water can permanently set protein-based ones.
Cheat sheet
Quick reference for common stains
| Stain | First step | Best treatment | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coffee | Rinse with cold water | Dish soap and vinegar | Easy |
| Red wine | Blot, then apply salt | Salt or club soda | Moderate |
| Blood | Rinse with cold water | Hydrogen peroxide | Moderate |
| Grass | Brush off the excess | Rubbing alcohol | Moderate |
| Grease or oil | Absorb with baking soda | Dish soap | Moderate |
| Ink | Do not rub it | Rubbing alcohol | Hard |
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Act quickly! Fresh stains are much easier to remove than set-in stains. The longer a stain sits, the harder it becomes to remove as it binds to the fabric fibers.
It depends on the stain. Use cold water for protein-based stains (blood, milk, egg) as hot water can set them. Use warm water for grease and oil stains. When in doubt, start with cold water.
Rubbing can spread the stain to a larger area and push it deeper into the fabric fibers. Blotting lifts the stain out of the fabric. Always blot from the outside edge toward the center.
Regular chlorine bleach should only be used on white fabrics. For colors, use oxygen-based bleach (like OxiClean) or color-safe bleach. Always test on a hidden area first.
Try an alternative method from our guide. If the stain persists after multiple attempts, consider taking the item to a professional dry cleaner before putting it in the dryer, as heat can permanently set stains.
Yes! Pre-treating stains before washing gives you the best chance of complete removal. Apply your treatment, let it sit for the recommended time, then launder as usual.
Stop small jobs becoming a deep clean
Tidied keeps a freshness score for every room, so the list tells you what genuinely needs doing today rather than leaving it until the whole house needs a weekend.
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