 Breadcrumbs

  



   ![Simple Hacks For Successful Stain Removal](https://media.sheerluxe.com/2p84uJhC7HCYELap9BdyOLaHGsI=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2019%2F08%2Fstains-tips-and-tricks-thumb.jpg?itok=4Aq9H5fH)

  

 

 



 

 

[Life](/life)

 /  14 August 2019  

#  Simple Hacks For Successful Stain Removal  


Can you ever get rid of sweat patches or oil marks on your favourite blouse? From carpets to clothes, here’s our comprehensive guide to getting rid of unsightly blemishes and stubborn spots.  


[ Save To My Favourites ](/user/login?destination=/markdownify/node/20430)

 

 



 

 

 

 

## Clothes

Hot water or cold water? Pre-soak or straight in the machine? Air dry or tumble dry? When it comes to successfully removing a stain, there’s different advice to combat each culprit but the one thing all stains have in common is you need to act fast. The trick to easy removal is to get to work on the stain as quickly as possible.  
  
**Stain: Beetroot/coffee/tea**  
Process: Soak the clothing for one hour in cold water. Apply a cleaning product such as Ariel Washing Liquid to the stain and then wash as normal according to the fabric care label.  
  
**Stain: Red wine**  
Process: Dab or flush with carbonated or soda water and wash.  
  
**Stain: Nail varnish**  
Process: Use nail varnish remover or acetone on all fabrics except synthetics, then wash as normal.  
  
**Stain: Butter/cooking oil/grease**  
Process: Treat with a cornflour or washing detergent and leave for an hour then wash at the hottest temperature allowed according to the fabric label.  
  
**Stain: Lipstick**  
Process: Gently rub the fabric with a cloth with soap or a little washing up liquid and then wash. Dab with methylated spirits if the fabric isn’t washable.  
  
**Stain: Chocolate/egg /curry/chilli/mustard**  
Process: Pre-treat with washing detergent directly on to the stain and then leave for a few minutes before washing as normal.  
  
**Stain: Mould**  
Process: For all fabrics except wool or silk, sprinkle on salt and lemon juice, leave overnight and then wash as normal.  
  
**Stain: Glue**  
Process: Dab with acetone (nail polish remover).  
  
**Stain: Blood**  
Process: For a fresh stain, rinse immediately with cold water then wash according to the care label. For older stains, apply washing detergent directly to the stain and then soak in water containing more detergent for two hours before washing as normal.  
  
**Stain: Grass**  
Process: Grass is a combination of protein and dye. Detergent should remove most stains. Dab any remaining dye with methylated spirits.  
  
**Stain: Paint**  
Process: For water-based paints, acrylic, emulsion and school paints, rinse while still wet in running water then wash according to the label. For oil-based paint and varnish, sponge clean with white spirit or paintbrush cleaner then wash according to the label. Dried paint can be scraped or picked off, but is difficult to wash off.  
  
**Stain: Perspiration**  
Process: Use clear vinegar or lemon juice. Soak or sponge with vinegar, with use lemon juice on wool. Then rinse and wash.

## **Carpets**

It’s bound to happen, the toppled cuppa or the muddy dog. Get educated and keep your carpets clean all the time.  
  
**Stain: Pet Mess**  
Process: Pick up any debris and blot up any moisture without rubbing it in. If a stain has dried, you’ll need to moisten it and apply a carpet stain removal product (see below). You can neutralise any odour with white wine vinegar or white wine. Just mix with water and spritz on the stain. Alternatively, mix laundry detergent with warm in a spray bottle, spray the area and blot after a few minutes.  
  
**Stain: Blood**  
Process: Use cold water, not hot, because blood coagulates with heat and cold will prevent the blood from permeating into the carpet fibres. Mix washing up liquid with cold water in a spray bottle and spritz on to the stain. Generously soak the stain and then dry with a white paper towel, transferring the blood from the carpet to the towel.  
  
**Stain: Coffee**  
Process: First blot with a dry white towel. Mix vinegar, water and a gentle, non-bleaching detergent and spritz away, blotting after each application. Keep repeating until its disappeared.  
  
**Stain: Ink**  
Process: Dampen a clean, white cloth with isopropyl alcohol and proceed by dabbing the wet cloth on the ink stain. Do not rub or this could cause the ink to spread. Blot the stain, rinse with water, assess and repeat if necessary.

## **Upholstery**

There’s often no need to call in the experts to keep your furnishings stain-free, try our four-step cleaning regime:   
  
**Step 1 – Make sure you know the fabric cleaning codes.**  
Some upholstery can be treated with water, others can’t tolerate certain cleaning products, so make sure you know what you’re dealing with. It’s worth keeping a swatch of fabric when you first get your furniture so you can test how it reacts to water, detergent, vinegar and even alcohol, as they can all be used for spot cleaning stubborn stains.   
  
**Step 2 – Steam away**  
If your fabric can tolerate water, a bit of steam will help loosen the stain. You can use a steamer or even the steamer setting on an iron.  
  
**Step 3 – Dab, dab, dab**  
Mix a very small amount of detergent with cool water and gently blot. Rubbing will only push the stain in deeper in to the fabric. Blot with a paper towel. If you can’t use water, you could try vodka or vinegar to clean the stain.   
  
**Step 4 – Try harder**  
If water doesn’t work, you may have to try something more heavy duty, such as a specialist cleaning product like Wine Away or HG Stain Spray.

**Shop Our Favourite Stain Remover Products Below...**

 

 

 

 

 ![Liquid Original from Ariel ](https://media.sheerluxe.com/kOx0nVLaw8DwkzNOMAenSZajTcM=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2019%2F08%2F1ariel.jpg?itok=q9YlKnvA)

 

 

 

[#### Liquid Original](https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=3691&awinaffid=69421&clickref=&p=%5B%5Bhttps%3A//www.waitrose.com/ecom/products/ariel-liquid-original/740788-494640-494641%5D%5D)

##### Ariel, 



£7

 

[ Flag this item ](/user/login?destination=/markdownify/node/20430 "Add product to my favourites")

 

 

 

 ![Small Hand Spray Bottle from TooGoo ](https://media.sheerluxe.com/9jOZkhby5sBwG9EMFmQMz_Gf7Ak=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2019%2F08%2F2spraybotte.jpg?itok=IPxKoEOJ)

 

 

 

[#### Small Hand Spray Bottle](https://www.amazon.co.uk/TOOGOO-Household-Sprinkler-Pressure-Sprinkle/dp/B077ZL6MKP/ref=asc_df_B077ZL6MKP/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=309859607452&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=6458633373765380153&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=)

##### TooGoo, 



£1.86

 

[ Flag this item ](/user/login?destination=/markdownify/node/20430 "Add product to my favourites")

 

 

 

 ![Carpet Stain Remover from Dr Beckmann ](https://media.sheerluxe.com/DUDScIfYZ6xqhPTv7AbMkGMpJJM=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2019%2F08%2F3drbeck.jpg?itok=DCbOM2dG)

 

 

 

[#### Carpet Stain Remover](https://www.wilko.com/en-uk/dr-beckmann-carpet-stain-remover-650ml/p/0441979)

##### Dr Beckmann, 



£3.50

 

[ Flag this item ](/user/login?destination=/markdownify/node/20430 "Add product to my favourites")

 

 

 

 ![Nail Polish Remover from Sally Hansen ](https://media.sheerluxe.com/yN5cupRnJ-d_iJIaLVIox96clJQ=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2019%2F08%2F4sallyhansen.jpg?itok=CpFTIB3y)

 

 

 

[#### Nail Polish Remover](https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=3691&awinaffid=69421&clickref=&p=%5B%5Bhttps%3A//www.waitrose.com/ecom/products/sally-hansen-nail-polish-remover/022206-10820-10821%5D%5D)

##### Sally Hansen, 



£2

 

[ Flag this item ](/user/login?destination=/markdownify/node/20430 "Add product to my favourites")

 

 

 

 ![Original Cream Cleaner from Cif](https://media.sheerluxe.com/H5-1b8NJ2tp3z5elCc6kNkgs9yg=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2019%2F08%2F5cif.jpg?itok=TbCEve2K)

 

 

 

[#### Original Cream Cleaner](https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=3691&awinaffid=69421&clickref=&p=%5B%5Bhttps%3A//www.waitrose.com/ecom/products/cif-original-cream-cleaner-500ml/098950-50443-50444%5D%5D)

##### Cif, 



£1

 

[ Flag this item ](/user/login?destination=/markdownify/node/20430 "Add product to my favourites")

 

 

 

 ![Oxi Action Powder Fabric Stain Remover from Vanish ](https://media.sheerluxe.com/NQ1xv6EaZgCFdm11BVrdKvbFqiw=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2019%2F08%2F6vanish-gold.jpg?itok=WZjJE16U)

 

 

 

[#### Oxi Action Powder Fabric Stain Remover](https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=3691&awinaffid=69421&clickref=&p=%5B%5Bhttps%3A//www.waitrose.com/ecom/products/vanish-gold-oxi-action-powder-fabric-stain-remover/597788-351330-351331%5D%5D)

##### Vanish, 



£5

 

[ Flag this item ](/user/login?destination=/markdownify/node/20430 "Add product to my favourites")

 

 

 

 ![Pure Isopropanol Alcohol from Amazon ](https://media.sheerluxe.com/cVtsz3s73lVtYyBKZMHmGxGJaa0=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2019%2F08%2F7isoprop.jpg?itok=e4rtRnxk)

 

 

 

[#### Pure Isopropanol Alcohol](https://www.amazon.co.uk/Isopropanol-Alcohol-Isopropyl-Liquid-Cleaner/dp/B075DG22BX/ref=asc_df_B075DG22BX/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=309918324659&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16339928449376529060&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=)

##### Amazon, 



£4.29

 

[ Flag this item ](/user/login?destination=/markdownify/node/20430 "Add product to my favourites")

 

 

 

 ![Carpet Care Power Foam from Vanish  ](https://media.sheerluxe.com/trQVOF2QqRNeY2xxnaUOZ5WePdo=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2019%2F08%2F8vanish-carpet.jpg?itok=lmAFDChg)

 

 

 

[#### Carpet Care Power Foam](https://www.sainsburys.co.uk/shop/gb/groceries/vanish-gold-carpet-care-power-foam-600ml?istCompanyId=1e096408-041f-4238-994e-a7cf46bf9413&istFeedId=689af7a8-5842-4d88-be59-1ee5688a81b5&istItemId=wxwqqrtxp&istBid=t&PPC=%2A&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIg9Soq5P94wIVxLHtC)

##### Vanish, 



£6

 

[ Flag this item ](/user/login?destination=/markdownify/node/20430 "Add product to my favourites")

 

 

 

 ![Grandma's Secret Spot Remover from Grandma's ](https://media.sheerluxe.com/vHUw1daubgFSXsB0mnw7NOG0Prc=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2019%2F08%2F9grandmas.jpg?itok=txVd_FoJ)

 

 

 

[#### Grandma's Secret Spot Remover](https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/Grandmas-Secret-Spot-Remover-2oz-Other-Multicoloured/578202332?iid=232832198634&chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=710-134428-41853-0&mkcid=2&itemid=232832198634&targetid=604161342633&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9045917&poi=&campaig=)

##### Grandma's, 



£7.99

 

[ Flag this item ](/user/login?destination=/markdownify/node/20430 "Add product to my favourites")

 

 

 

 ![Mykal Sticky Stuff Remover from De-solv-it](https://media.sheerluxe.com/JrH1w2wPesp-pb9gkIyZwqUQjqE=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2019%2F08%2F10mykal.jpg?itok=vRRxZIvY)

 

 

 

[#### Mykal Sticky Stuff Remover](https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mykal-Sticky-Stuff-Remover-250ml/dp/B000TAT4GM/ref=asc_df_B000TAT4GM/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=309982011838&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=10157902453918312512&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=90)

##### De-solv-it, 



£4.70

 

[ Flag this item ](/user/login?destination=/markdownify/node/20430 "Add product to my favourites")

 

 

 

 ![Rapid Power Revive Carpet Washer from Vax](https://media.sheerluxe.com/OpdhWoyqC0lQ46hE2HeZp-eNiDw=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2019%2F08%2F11wax.jpg?itok=RynlujA3)

 

 

 

[#### Rapid Power Revive Carpet Washer](https://www.amazon.co.uk/Vax-Rapid-Revive-Carpet-Washer/dp/B07KBLRTGB/ref=sr_1_16?keywords=vax&qid=1565607336&s=gateway&sr=8-16)

##### Vax, 



£179

 

[ Flag this item ](/user/login?destination=/markdownify/node/20430 "Add product to my favourites")

 

 

 

 ![Oxi Action Crystal White Powder from Vanish ](https://media.sheerluxe.com/pd_TukNphua1yqZjLZ25HM603NI=/600x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2019%2F08%2F12vanish-crystal-white.jpg?itok=buCNe_Mp)

 

 

 

[#### Oxi Action Crystal White Powder](https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=3691&awinaffid=69421&clickref=&p=%5B%5Bhttps%3A//www.waitrose.com/ecom/products/vanish-oxi-action-crystal-white-powder/094536-48494-48495%5D%5D)

##### Vanish, 



£5.60

 

[ Flag this item ](/user/login?destination=/markdownify/node/20430 "Add product to my favourites")

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

  

## *more from*

### Life



 [View All Life](/life) 

  ![Your December Horoscope](https://media.sheerluxe.com/DItNYr8xLEkFwB0HLUn6llPyftY=/200x267/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F10%2Fsl-011025-site-assets-horoscopes-hero-thumb.jpg?itok=SbqV-ogK)

  

 

 



 

[Life](/life)

/

  01 December 2025  

 [##  Your December Horoscope  


 

 ](/life/your-december-horoscope-4) 

 

 

 

  ![An M&S Flower Launch You Need To Know About](https://media.sheerluxe.com/0x2UNKOqVeLaNnbsnYB4FGLopc4=/200x267/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F12%2Fsl-site-assets-011225-thumb-com-ms-flowers.jpg?itok=0PDXFh1u)

  

 

 



 

[Life](/life)

/

  01 December 2025  

 [##  An M&amp;S Flower Launch You Need To Know About  


 

 ](/life/an-ms-flower-launch-you-need-to-know-about) 

 

 

 

  ![A Day In The Life Of A BAFTA-Award Winning Writer-Actress ](https://media.sheerluxe.com/0ErUTwRTgfqEFcN4Xjkals2nUz0=/200x267/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F11%2Fsl-site-assets-191125-thumb-hero-interview-nicole-lecky.jpg?itok=f4DBwY6c)

  

 

 



 

[Life](/life)

/

  19 November 2025  

 [##  A Day In The Life Of A BAFTA-Award Winning Writer-Actress  


 

 ](/life/nicole-lecky) 

 

 

 

  ![Your November Horoscope](https://media.sheerluxe.com/uy2n-HAGa_bUbJRGeiDpHaRV9h4=/200x267/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F10%2Fhorocopes-hero-thumb.jpg?itok=sweR5Gin)

  

 

 



 

[Life](/life)

/

  03 November 2025  

 [##  Your November Horoscope  


 

 ](/life/your-november-horoscope-3) 

 

 

 

  ![How Adopting A Pet Can Change 2 Lives](https://media.sheerluxe.com/PAwYrWsfW8Pu6uAXfZwsg-EmIlI=/200x267/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F10%2Fpetare-portrait-hero-hr.jpg?itok=07Jvj0sj)

  

 

 



 

[Life](/life)

/

  22 October 2025  

 [##  How Adopting A Pet Can Change 2 Lives  


 

 ](/life/how-adopting-a-pet-can-change-2-lives) 

 

 

 

  ![Go Behind The Scenes At Our Sukkot Lunch](https://media.sheerluxe.com/M0hy53QXhuiSDVlmKgbdfpnPdak=/200x267/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F10%2Fsl-151025-sukkot-lunch-thumb.jpg?itok=AopiPR8H)

  

 

 



 

[Life](/life)

/

  15 October 2025  

 [##  Go Behind The Scenes At Our Sukkot Lunch  


 

 ](/life/go-behind-the-scenes-at-our-sukkot-lunch) 

 

 

 

  ![Your December Horoscope](https://media.sheerluxe.com/DItNYr8xLEkFwB0HLUn6llPyftY=/200x267/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F10%2Fsl-011025-site-assets-horoscopes-hero-thumb.jpg?itok=SbqV-ogK)

  

 

 



 

[Life](/life)

/

  01 October 2025  

 [##  Your October Horoscope  


 

 ](/life/your-october-horoscope-5) 

 

 

 

  ![8 Thoughtful Gift Ideas For Older Relatives & Friends](https://media.sheerluxe.com/0kmT517DBBlNYu5KGXGye8gtLnQ=/200x267/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F09%2Fsl-gold-150925-site-assets-gifting-thumb.jpg?itok=kRLMY4kZ)

  

 

 



 

 [Life](/gold/life)/

  15 September 2025  

 [##  8 Thoughtful Gift Ideas For Older Relatives &amp; Friends  


 

 ](/life/8-thoughtful-gift-ideas-for-older-relatives-friends) 

 

 

 

  ![The Name To Know For Sophisticated & Compassionate Care In Later Life ](https://media.sheerluxe.com/ExxwhSEbX-WY5sHl3sEbpuGnPhY=/200x267/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F09%2Fsl-gold-150925-site-assets-kyn-comm-thumb.jpg?itok=zfYPm91c)

  

 

 



 

 [Life](/gold/life)/

  15 September 2025  

 [##  The Name To Know For Sophisticated &amp; Compassionate Care In Later Life  


 

 ](/life/the-name-to-know-for-sophisticated-compassionate-care-in-later-life) 

 

 

 

 

           

 

 

 

 

 



  

 Share This Story

 [Facebook

 ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?display=popup&redirect_uri=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com&u=https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Flife%2Fsimple-hacks-successful-stain-removal&t=Simple+Hacks+For+Successful+Stain+Removal) [ Pinterest

 ](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Flife%2Fsimple-hacks-successful-stain-removal&description=Simple+Hacks+For+Successful+Stain+Removal&media=) [ E-mail

 ](<mailto:?subject=Simple Hacks For Successful Stain Removal&body=Hi%0A%0AI&#039;ve just read this article https://sheerluxe.com/life/simple-hacks-successful-stain-removal and thought you might like it, too.%0A%0ASheerLuxe is your in-the-know friend keeping you up to date with everything new in fashion, beauty, culture, lifestyle %26 home.%0A%0AYou can sign up for the FREE daily newsletter here. https%3A%2F%2Fsheerluxe.com%2Fsignup%3Fseed%3Dsharing%26utm_source%3DWebsite%26utm_medium%3DSL%26utm_campaign%3DEmail%26utm_id%3DSharing>) 

 

 

DISCLAIMER: We endeavour to always credit the correct original source of every image we use. If you think a credit may be incorrect, please contact us at <info@sheerluxe.com>.

 

 

 

  ##  Fashion. Beauty. Culture. Life. Home 

###  Delivered to your inbox, daily 

 [Subscribe](/signup)