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Blood stain -

Blood is one of the most stubborn stains to deal with. Its organic and oxidizing properties bond it to fabric and even furniture.

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White vinegar -

Speed is of the essence when removing a blood stain. Soak the affected item in cold water as soon as possible (dried blood is harder to remove). Then spray down the area with white vinegar.

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Perspiration stain -

How unsightly is a yellow armpit stain? Body sweat is mostly composed of water, salt, and a little body oil. Oh, and it doesn't smell too good, either!

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Baking soda/hydrogen peroxide/laundry soap -

Baking soda is an effective and gentle stain remover, and works well on mild sweat stains. First dampen the area and then apply the baking soda. Leave for 30 minutes before rinsing. Tougher stains will require a mix of hydrogen peroxide and a bit of laundry soap. Let the mixture sit for the same time and rinse and repeat as needed.

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Coffee/tea stain -

A common cause of stains is spilled coffee or tea. Both contain tannins, which quickly stain.

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White vinegar/baking soda -

Dealing with coffee and tea stains requires a quick rinse with cold water before blotting the area with neat white vinegar. Then add baking soda. Let the mix work for 30 minutes, after which brush or vacuum way.

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Grass stain -

Grass stains can be an occupational hazard for playful kids and sporty types alike. And they can be really difficult to get out!

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Fels-Naptha bar/laundry soap -

Best to bring out the big guns to tackle grass stains. Any powerful prestain laundry soap should work, but, if it's available, use a Fels-Naptha laundry soap bar. Wet it first, then rub it over the stain. Wait an hour or so, then wash as normal.

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Grease stain -

No one likes grease stains on their clothes. These types of stains aren't water-soluble, so rather than rinsing the affected area it needs to be thoroughly soaked instead.

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Dish soap/baking soda -

You'll first need to scrape off as much grease as possible before rubbing dish soap and baking soda over the stain. Allow the mixture to sit for half an hour before removing any excess and then rinsing.

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Chocolate stain -

We are almost guaranteed to suffer a chocolate stain at least once in our lifetime, such is the deliciously decadent allure of this sweet treat.

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Heavy-duty detergent/oxygen bleach -

To begin with, apply heavy-duty detergent to the stain. Work it in with your fingers or use a bristled toothbrush to spread the detergent effectively. Wait 15 minutes before rinsing. If it's still visible, blot the stain with oxygen bleach.

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Turmeric and mustard stains -

Turmeric is a traditional Indian spice. It's also an effective dye. Mustard, meanwhile, is a pungent condiment that contains turmeric. Stains caused by both set quickly and firmly.

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Laundry detergent/hydrogen peroxide/dish soap -

Dealing with turmeric and mustard stains requires prompt handiwork. First rinse the stain with cold water. Then add laundry detergent and work it into the affected area. Blot down before adding equal parts hydrogen peroxide and dish soap. Let the mixture sit for 15 minutes, then rinse.

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Red wine stain -

Who hasn't knocked over a glass of red wine? It's basically a dye, and a notoriously difficult liquid to remove once it's stained a carpet, shirt, tablecloth, or suchlike.

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White wine/baking powder -

Interestingly, red wine stains can be treated using white wine! First blot the stained area with a paper towel to soak up any excess. Pour white wine over the area and add baking soda to draw up color. Rinse and repeat if necessary. And if you don't want to crack open another bottle of wine, enzymatic laundry detergent is a good substitute.

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Tomato sauce stain -

A ketchup hiccup is difficult to treat, as are all red stains. Spaghetti sauce is another notorious condiment known for its ability to blemish.

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Hydrogen peroxide/white vinegar/laundry detergent -

Stains of this type are vivid and concentrated. Your first responder is hydrogen peroxide. Apply it liberally to the stain. White vinegar is also useful. Next, add laundry detergent and let it all sit for 15 minutes before blotting.

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Paint stain -

Stains caused by water-based paints are easy to remove. Just use water. Oil-based paint stains, however, require more thought.

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Rubbing alcohol/heavy-duty laundry detergent -

Paint stains are far easier to treat when still wet. For oil-based paint stains, use rubbing alcohol as a pretreatment, rub the spot to dissolve the pigment, and rinse with cold water. Repeat a couple of times, then pretreat and wash immediately with a heavy-duty laundry detergent in warm or cold water.

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Ink stain -

Stains caused by leaked ink are annoying, and sometimes embarrassing. And without prompt treatment, a quality shirt, jacket, or a pair of trousers can be ruined, for example.

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Rubbing alcohol/hairspray/sunscreen -

Ink stains on clothing can be removed in a number of ingenious ways. Applying rubbing alcohol to the area is one effective method. Using a hairspray is another. And if the ink has stained an interior wall or similar surface, apply sunscreen.

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Lipstick stain -

Lipstick doesn't always find its mark! And because it's greasy and pigmented, a lipstick stain can really mess up your wardrobe.

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Dish soap -

To treat a lipstick stain, first scrape off as much of the errant substance as you can. Apply dish soap, rub it in your fingers, and leave it for 15 minutes. Any remaining stains should be met with a little rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab. Rinse thoroughly and repeat if necessary.

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Nail polish stain -

Nail polish is another makeup accessory that's notoriously hard to remove. A lacquer loaded with pigment, nail polish that's been spilled needs to be wiped up quickly.

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Rubbing alcohol -

Nail polish remover will do the trick, but if this isn't at hand use rubbing alcohol and apply vigorously to the stain. Blot the area and follow up with dish soap and water to combat any lingering stains.

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Salt stain -

Salt stains are unsightly and can deface all sorts of household items, including carpets, clothes, and shoes, especially during the winter months.

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White vinegar -

To get rid of those ugly and crusty white rings, mix a cup of cold water and a drop of white vinegar. Dab the area with a cloth and let it soak overnight. Work off the excess using a bristle brush or vacuum.

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Pee stain -

A pee stain is seriously unattractive, and the odor just as unpleasant. Plus, its acidic properties mean it can quickly damage textiles.

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Baking soda/dish soap -

To combat a urine stain, dampen the area with water and dish soap. Next, apply baking soda and let it sit as long as possible before vacuuming the residue.

Sources: (Apartment Therapy) (Persil)

See also: The power of pee—odd uses for urine

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