Prewash vs Soak: When to Use Each, and for How Long
Prewash vs soak, or neither? A decision table by soil and fabric, with the time and temperature limits washer makers and extension guides give.
stain removal
22 articles on this topic
22 articles
How to Remove Perfume Stains: The Route for Each Fabric
Perfume stains routed by fabric and care label: washable, alcohol-sensitive fibres, wool, silk and dry-clean-only, with every step sourced.
How to Remove Rust Stains from Clothes, by Fabric
Rust stains on clothes, routed by fabric: which rust remover each fabric can take, the lemon-and-salt limits, and why chlorine bleach sets rust.
Sodium Percarbonate in Laundry: What It Can Treat, Fabric by Fabric
Sodium percarbonate in laundry: which garments and jobs the bleach triangle allows, what product directions say on dose and time, and safe storage.
Color Bleeding in Laundry: Prevent It, and Fix It by Fabric
Color bleeding in laundry, routed by situation and fabric: test new clothes, rescue a wet or dried load, and match bleach to the label.
How to Remove Baby Food Stains: Match the Food to the Method
Baby food is a combination stain: match the method to the food — enzyme for protein, the sun for carrot, bleach for fruit — and never dry it until it's gone.
How to Whiten Yellowed Whites Without Making It Worse
Bleach triangle first, then match the yellow to its cause. Clorox: chlorine misuse can yellow whites for good.
Best Laundry Stain Remover: Attributed Picks by Stain and Fabric
Attributed picks — Consumer Reports' and Your Best Digs' winners plus specialists for set-in and ink stains — and the fabric rules each maker sets.
How to Remove Self-Tanner Stains From Clothes and Sheets
Fake tan on clothes or sheets? Flush the back with cold water, degrease, wash with an enzyme detergent — and never tumble-dry until the mark is fully gone.
How to Remove Berry Stains from Clothes
Remove blueberry, blackberry, strawberry and raspberry stains with cold back-flushing, label-safe pretreatment, bleach limits and no dryer heat.
How to Remove Chocolate Stains from Clothes
Remove fresh, dried and chocolate milk stains with cold back-flushing, detergent pretreat, label-safe wash heat and no dryer heat.
How to Remove Egg Stains from Clothes
Cold-first egg stain steps for raw, cooked and dried egg, with enzyme detergent limits for wool, silk and heat-set residue.
How to Remove Hair Dye Stains from Clothes
Hair dye stains need fast treatment: remove excess, flush cold from the back, pretreat, then use label-safe oxygen bleach or peroxide. Air-dry before heat.
How to Remove Set-In Stains After Washing and Drying
A washed-and-dried stain is the hard case. Re-wet it, match the agent to the stain type, soak, then air-dry to check before applying heat again.
How to Remove Blood Stains from Clothes and Sheets
Blood is a protein stain: cold water first, no heat until it is gone. Steps by fabric, with peroxide last.
How to Remove Coffee Stains from Clothes
Coffee stains are tannin stains. Blot, rinse promptly, use an enzyme detergent or dish-soap/vinegar route, and avoid dryer heat until gone.
How to Remove Grass Stains from Clothes
Grass stains combine protein and green pigment. Start with a cool enzyme soak, escalate only with tested fabric-safe products, and avoid heat until gone.
How to Remove Grease and Oil Stains from Clothes
Absorb the oil, pretreat with detergent, wash as hot as the label allows, and check the stain is gone before any heat.
How to Remove Ink Stains from Clothes
Ink stains need solvent-matching: rubbing alcohol for many pen inks, cold water for water-based ink, dry-brush toner, and test fabric before heat.
How to Remove Makeup & Lipstick Stains
Makeup stains need grease-first treatment: lift excess, loosen oily or waxy base, pretreat with detergent, rinse from back, air-dry before heat.
How to Remove Sweat and Yellow Armpit Stains
Yellow underarm stains usually involve antiperspirant and body soil. Treat before heat; use enzyme detergent or oxygen bleach only where labels allow.
How to Remove Red Wine Stains from Clothes
Remove red wine stains from clothes, carpet and upholstery: cold water, dish soap and oxygen bleach, plus an honest verdict on salt, milk and boiling water.