Fix Stains the Smart Way: Sunscreen, Grass, Ketchup, and Sweat

When sunscreen drips on your shirt, simply sprinkle baby powder on the spot to absorb it. Let it sit for 15 minutes, then rinse with cold water. But what if it's set in? Sunscreen contains avobenzone, the chemical that blocks UVA rays, which can create a rust-like spot. Sprinkle salt on the cut side of a lemon and rub the stain. Lemon's citric acid breaks it up and the salt scrubs it away.

Just make a solution of 2 parts cold water to one part white vinegar and let it sit on the grass stains for 15 minutes. If it's set in, simply spritz it with a little hairspray and launder as usual. Alcohol can also help remove even dried grass marks.

Run the underside of the fabric (opposite the spot) under cold water. Then apply dish soap and rub it in to break up the stain. If the stain is set in, saturate with vinegar, then sprinkle on baking soda. The resulting chemical reaction will lift the stain out.

To ensure a sweat stain comes out in the wash, rub it with a makeup-removing wipe. Makeup remover dissolves oils that help cosmetics adhere to the skin, and they do the same with deodorant. If the stain has set into those unsightly yellow streaks, dissolve 3 to 5 aspirin tablets in 1/2 cup of water, then pour over the stain and let it sit overnight. Aspirin's acetylsalicylic acid acts as a natural, color-safe bleach.