H E R E , YO U ’ L L N E E D T H I S
Ultimate stain-removal chart Wipe out any spot, smudge, or splatter with this go-to guide for washable fabrics.
DRINKS
Wash fabrics as recommended. The sooner, the better! COFFEE
FO O D
Boil some WAT E R and stretch the fabric over a bowl. Carefully pour the water through the stain from about a foot above. If the coffee had milk in it, follow with an oil solvent, like C A R B O N A STA I N D E V I L S # 8 C O F F E E , T E A , W I N E A N D J U I C E ($3.40, soap. com). If it contained sugar, follow with a pretreatment product, like S H O U T T R I G G E R T R I P L E -AC T I N G STA I N R E M OV E R ($3.30, amazon.com) and let sit for 30 minutes before washing. BERRIES
JUICE
Apply a DISH-S OAP solution (1 tablespoon clear soap in 10 ounces water). Blot to remove the stain and soap residue. If the stain remains, use a warm white towel to blot on an A M M O N I A solution (1 part ammonia to 2 parts water).
Use a spatula or a plastic knife to scrape off any excess. Apply a H Y D RO G E N P E ROX I D E formula (1⁄2 teaspoon dish soap and 1⁄2 cup hydrogen peroxide). Rinse.
Scrape off any excess. Then spray with a D I S H - S O A P solution (see Juice) and dab with D E T E RG E N T. C H O C O L AT E
For R E D W I N E : Coat the stain with S A LT . Boil WAT E R and stretch the fabric over a bowl. Carefully pour the water onto the spot from about a foot above. For W H I T E W I N E : Run cold WAT E R over the stain, then spray with a D I S H - S OA P solution (see Juice) and dab with an E N Z Y M E D E T E RG E N T. (Most everyday detergents contain enzymes.)
GUM
Rub an I C E C U B E over the spot to freeze the gum, then chip away as much as possible using a spatula or a plastic knife. To loosen the remaining residue, apply a lubricant, like G LYC E R I N , then scrape it off. Rinse. If any gum remains, dab with D I S H S OA P. Rinse thoroughly with cool WAT E R , then apply a stain pretreatment, such as S H O U T. Fill a sink with more cool WAT E R and a few drops of D E T E RG E N T and let soak.
WINE
ICE CREAM
S AU C E S A N D C O N D I M E N T S T H E STA I N E X P E RT S
Flush the stain with W H I T E V I N EGA R , then apply a D I S H - S OA P solution (see Juice) and let sit for 15 minutes.
M U STA R D
S OY S AU C E
Treat with S H O U T. If any of the stain remains, use an eyedropper or a clean toothbrush to apply W H I T E V I N EGA R to lighten it.
I C O N S BY K AT I E F I E L D
TO M ATO S AU C E
Scrape off any excess, then apply a D I S H - S OA P solution (see Juice). Blot with a damp towel to remove any residue. If the stain persists, apply a few drops of W H I T E V I N EGA R .
Rinse stain with cold running WAT E R . Blot with A M M O N I A solution (see Juice) then rinse again. Pretreat with S H O U T .
KETCHUP
Sprinkle C O R N STA RC H on the spot and let sit to soak up the oil. Rinse with cool water. Apply S H O U T and let sit for another 15 minutes. SAL AD D R E SS I N G
Donna Smallin Kuper, certified housecleaning technician and author of Clear the Clutter, Find Happiness. Kevin Tibbs, formulation scientist and creator of the Better Life line of cleaning products. The Real Simple homedepartment editors.
Illustrations by
Eight Hour Day
APRIL 2015
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