How to Remove Stains from Clothes
Are you dealing with annoying clothing stains that won’t budge? From sauce stains to wine stains – and everything in between – stains can wreak havoc on your favorite outfit.
You’ve scrubbed and soaked, trying every trick in the book. Yet that ink blotch, oil spill, or underarm sweat stain is still determined to cling to your clothes like a bad dream. Frustrating, right? What started as a simple spill has now turned into a stain that seems destined to stay forever. The more you wash, the deeper it digs in, and you’re left questioning if it will ever come out.
To help you out, we’re sharing more on how to remove stains from your clothes.
Essential Tools for Stain Removal
Having the right tools is your secret weapon when taking on stubborn stains. Stock up on these essential supplies to help remove stains from your favorite clothes:
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White Vinegar: A natural option that works to effectively zap away sweat stains and neutralize odors.
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Baking Soda: Ideal for absorbing greasy oil stains and lifting tough marks.
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Mild Dish Soap: A versatile stain-fighter, great for breaking down grease and food stains without damaging delicate fabrics.
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Hydrogen Peroxide: Great for dealing with blood stains or brightening whites.
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Old Soft Toothbrush: The perfect tool for gently scrubbing stain remover deep into the fabric fibers.
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Cloth-like Paper Towel: Use the absorbent Viva® Signature Cloth™ paper towels to blot and extract the staining substance from your clothes.
How to Get Oil Stains Out of Clothes
Oil stains are notorious for sticking to fabric, but with the right steps, you can get rid of them! Here’s a quick and easy method:
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Blot the Stain: Grab a paper towel and gently blot the oil. Don’t rub – just let the fabric absorb as much oil as it can.
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Hit It with Baking Soda: Sprinkle a layer of baking soda right on the stain. Let it sit for 15-30 minutes while it works its magic.
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Brush It Away: After the baking soda has done its job, use a soft toothbrush to scrub it off. You’ll see the oil lifting right along with the powder!
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Use Some Dish Soap: Squirt some dish soap directly onto the stain and rub it in. Dish soap is a grease-buster, ideal for oil stains.
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Wash It Hot: If the fabric can handle it, toss the garment into the washing machine using the hottest water safe for the material.
Just remember, before drying, check the stain – if it’s still there, repeat step five. Heat can cause the stain to bond more permanently to the fabric. So don’t dry until it’s gone!
How to Get Ink Out of Clothes
Ink stains can seem tricky to remove! Here’s how to take them on step-by-step:
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Use Viva®: Use some paper towels and start blotting the ink – no rubbing! Just gently soak up as much as you can without spreading it around.
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Dab on Rubbing Alcohol: Next, apply rubbing alcohol using a cotton ball or Viva® paper towels. The alcohol works to break down the ink. Let it sit for a few minutes, then blot again to lift even more ink.
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Rinse with Cold Water: As the ink starts to fade, rinse the fabric under cold running water while blotting the stain. You’ll see it lighten as you go!
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Dive in with Detergent: Apply laundry detergent directly to the stain. Gently rub it in and let it sit for 5-10 minutes, giving it time to work.
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Wash Like Normal: Finally, toss the garment into the washer, using the coldest water safe for the fabric. Repeat this process if the stain is not gone.
How to Get Blood Stains out of Your Clothes
We’ve all been there – you’re enjoying a day out, and bam, a small scrape leads to a blood stain on your favorite shirt. Below, find more on how to easily remove blood stains:
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Rinse with Cold Water: The moment you notice the stain, run it under cold water. This helps the blood from setting into the fibers of the fabric. Steer clear of hot water here!
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Soak in Cold Saltwater: If that stubborn stain isn’t budging, give it a bath in cold saltwater (mix one tablespoon of salt with two cups of water). Let it sit for 30 minutes.
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Treat with Hydrogen Peroxide: For those tough, lingering spots, apply some hydrogen peroxide directly on the stain. Watch it fizz and blot it out with a clean cloth.
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Use Some Detergent: Once the hydrogen peroxide has settled, apply some liquid detergent to the area. Gently rub and give it a few minutes to soak.
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Wash in Cold Water: Finish things off by washing in cold water with your regular detergent. Check the stain before drying – if there’s still a trace, throw it back into the washing machine.
How to Get Sweat Stains Out of Shirts
Nobody likes them, especially when they ruin your favorite shirt! But don’t worry, you can still stay active and get rid of sweat stains. Here’s how:
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Act Fast: Time is your best friend here! The quicker you get to that sweat spot, the easier it’ll be to remove. If you can, treat it right after you take your shirt off.
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Get Blotting: Use a clean paper towel and carefully blot the area to soak up any moisture. This will stop the stain from spreading and settling deeper into the fabric.
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Use a Cleaning Solution: Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle or make a paste with baking soda and water – both will work on sweat stains!
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Apply the Solution: Spray your solution directly onto the stain. Let it sit for about 30 minutes, giving it time to break down the sweat and any funky odors.
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Scrub It Out: After the solution has soaked in, get a soft brush or use your fingers and gently scrub the stain to lift it off the fabric.
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Rinse with Cold Water: Rinse the treated area under cold running water to wash away the solution and any loosened particles of the stain.
How to Remove Coffee Stains from Clothing
Spilled coffee doesn’t have to ruin your day – or your wardrobe! Here’s how to zap those coffee stains fast:
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Blot, Don’t Rub: The moment that coffee hits your clothes, get your paper towel to gently blot it. Soak up as much as you can without rubbing!
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Cold Water Flush: Run the stained fabric under cold water, letting the water flow from the back of the stain. This helps push the coffee out of the fabric fibers.
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Liquid Detergent Magic: Get some liquid detergent and gently rub it into the stain. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes to break down coffee particles.
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Vinegar Soak: Got a tougher stain? No problem! Mix one-part white vinegar with two parts water and let your clothing soak for 15-30 minutes.
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Rinse & Wash: After soaking, rinse the fabric with cold water and toss it into the wash. Be sure to check the stain before drying – if there’s still a trace, repeat this step.
Tips and Tricks for Stubborn Stains
When it comes to addressing tough stains, a little extra know-how can go a long way. Here are some tips to help you get the best results.
Avoid Using Hot Water on Protein-Based Stains
When dealing with stains like blood, sweat, or dairy, there’s one rule you can’t forget—never use hot water! Heat will actually cause the stains to set deep into the fabric, making them even harder to remove. Instead, cold water breaks down tricky proteins without locking them in place. So, when you’re facing down a tough protein-based stain, keep it cool!
Don’t Dry Stained Clothes in the Dryer
Resist the urge to throw your clothes straight into the dryer! It’s tempting, but here’s the catch – if the stain’s still there, the dryer’s heat will lock it in. Before you hit the dry cycle, always inspect your clothes post-wash. If the stain hasn’t fully budged, let your clothing air dry until you’re sure it’s gone. Once that heat sets in, there’s no turning back!
Seek Professional Help for Stubborn Stains
Sometimes, no matter how many DIY hacks you throw at it, a stain just won't quit. That’s when it’s time to call in the “stain doctor” aka your local professional cleaner. Armed with industrial-strength solutions and years of experience, they can work magic on even the toughest stains.
Fight Off Stains with Viva®
Viva® Signature Cloth™ is your best companion for taking on tough stains. With its soft texture, it’s perfect for blotting out stains As the softest and most durable towel*, these paper towels can handle stubborn messes like ink, oil, and coffee . Rinse and reuse for persistent stains.
*When wet vs. nationally branded paper towels / the leading 1-ply value brand.
*among premium branded towels. Durable when wet.
Fight tough stains and learn more cleaning tips with Viva ®.
