Bye-Bye Stains: Simple Tricks That Actually Work

The longer a stain sits, the harder it is to remove. Dab or blot right away rather than rubbing, which just spreads the stain deeper into the fabric.

Grease stains from pizza or dressing respond well to dish soap: squirt it on, rub gently, let it sit about 10 minutes, then wash.

Use cold water first, since hot water can set these stains. Soak in cold water with a little enzyme-based detergent for 30 minutes, then wash as usual.

Put a paper towel under the fabric, dab the ink with rubbing alcohol on a cotton ball, and blot until it transfers to the towel, then rinse and wash.

Sprinkle salt on fresh red wine to absorb it before rinsing with cold water. For coffee, soak with a mix of white vinegar and water for 15 minutes before laundering.

A paste of baking soda and water lifts stains from fabric, shoes, and grout, while vinegar cuts through odors and discoloration. Never mix vinegar and bleach together.

Mix it with baking soda and dish soap for a powerful paste on stubborn stains like armpit marks. Let it sit 30 minutes, scrub lightly, then wash.

Laying a stained item in direct sunlight after washing naturally bleaches fabric and often removes the last remnants of a stain, especially on whites.

Always check the fabric label before treating anything, and double-check a stain is really gone before tossing it in the dryer, since heat can lock it in for good.