The A-Z Stain Playbook: How to Remove Every Common Clothing Stain

Fast fixes for every spill, splash and “Oops” moment

Ever spilled red wine on a favourite dress? Or discovered your kid’s grass-stained school shirt just before laundry day? Stains are inevitable. But panic not, many stains can be treated successfully if you act fast, choose the right technique, and wash smartly.

Whether you use a home washer or drop your laundry at Laundrlab, this A-Z stain playbook gives you practical, in-depth stain removal advice, think of it as your cheat sheet for making nearly any mishap disappear.

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Before you get started, read these golden rules

Before diving into stain-by-stain solutions, it helps to understand a few laundry fundamentals that make stain removal far more effective:

Act fast: The sooner you treat spills or stains, the higher your chance of removing them for good. Pre-treat before bubbles turn into permanent marks.
Blot, don’t rub: Rubbing pushes stain deeper into fabric fibres. Instead, blot gently with a clean cloth or paper towel to lift excess substance, then treat.
Check fabric care labels: Some fabrics can shrink or fade under heat or harsh chemicals, always check instructions before applying aggressive treatments. waveslaundromat.com.au+2Materialised+2
Test first: If using solvents, bleach, peroxide, or acid-based solutions, first test on a hidden seam or inside hem, just in case the fabric reacts.
Skip the dryer until clean: Heat from a dryer can set lingering stains permanently. Always air dry or re-treat until the stain is gone.

Blood / Body Fluid

Rinse or soak immediately in cold water (never hot, hot sets protein stains). Pre-treat with a gentle detergent or enzyme-based stain remover for 15–30 min.

If stain remains, apply a small amount of hydrogen peroxide, let sit briefly, then rinse and wash.

Coffee & Tea

Flush area under cold water. Apply a mild dish soap solution or enzyme detergent, gently work in with soft brush, then rinse.

Wash per care label. If stain lingers, a diluted vinegar or oxygen-bleach soak can help (test first).

Grease / Oil / Salad Dressing / Pizza Sauce

Dust with cornstarch or baking soda to absorb excess oil, let sit 15–30 min, then brush off.

Pre-treat with dish soap or liquid detergent, gently scrub, then wash in warm (if fabric allows) or hot water.

Tomato / Ketchup / Mustard / BBQ Sauce

Scrape off any solid residue, blot excess with a clean cloth.

Pretreat with liquid detergent or dish soap; soak if required. Rinse and wash per label instructions. For persistent colour stains, a diluted vinegar or mild bleach (if safe) may help.

Wine / Juice / Soft Drink Spills

Blot immediately with a clean towel (don’t rub). Rinse from reverse side under cold water.

Pre-treat with liquid detergent or enzyme stain remover; for red wine, sprinkle salt (on white fabrics) to absorb moisture before treating. Wash promptly.

Mud / Dirt / Soil

Let mud dry completely, then brush off dry excess. Soak or gently scrub in warm soapy water.

After that, launder as usual. For darker or stubborn stains, pre-treat before washing.

Sweat / Deodorant Marks / Yellowing (on whites)

Pre-soak whites or heavily stained shirts in a mixture of water and a bit of detergent; for stubborn yellowing, add a splash of white vinegar or baking soda.

Wash on the hottest safe cycle. Avoid bleach on coloured clothes.

Ink / Dye Transfer

Place a clean cloth under the stain (reverse side), dab with rubbing alcohol or isopropyl alcohol (on a hidden spot first to test).

Once ink lifts, rinse thoroughly and launder. For water-based ink, a detergent solution may suffice, test before using solvents.

Makeup / Lipstick / Sauce + Oil Mix Stains

Gently scrape off excess. Use a solvent like rubbing alcohol or specialized stain remover (on colour-safe fabrics), then treat with dish soap or enzyme detergent. Wash per care label. Avoid heat until stain is gone.

Paint / Glue / Wax / Gum (on washable clothing)

Freeze (if gum/wax) or blot excess material. For water-based paint: rinse under cold water, pre-treat with dish soap, then wash.

Oil-based or stubborn paints may require solvents, test first and proceed with caution.

When to use home washing vs professional treatment

Sometimes, despite your best efforts, a stain just won’t budge.

Here’s how to decide:

Home wash if: stain is recent, fabric is machine-washable, and stain type is common (food, drink, grease, dirt, sweat).
Seek professional help (or laundromat heavy-duty machines) if: stain’s set in, it’s on delicate or expensive fabric, or you’ve already dried the garment. Heat makes many stains permanent. In those cases, professional stain-treat services or heavy-duty commercial washers (like those at Laundrlab) can help.

Why Laundrlab Is a Smart Option for Stain-Sensitive Laundry

Here’s why using Laundrlab can make a difference if you’re fighting tough stains:

Our machines offer high-efficiency cycles and strong rinses, perfect for removing detergents, oil residue or stubborn stains that home washers struggle with.

For bulky items (bedsheets, blankets, towels), or especially soiled clothes, you get commercial-grade wash and spin cycles, helping lift stains and rinse out grime more effectively than a typical home washer.

If you’re worried about shrinking, colour-fading or damaging fabrics our roomy washers / dryers reduce friction and handle loads more gently (while still powerful).

So when your favourite clothes or accidental spill victims need a deeper, tougher wash, Laundrlab can do what your home washer can’t always manage!

Disclaimer: The advice provided in this article is meant for general informational purposes only. Always refer to the care instructions provided by the manufacturer for your specific laundry machines and clothing/bedding items.

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