How to Remove Stubborn Stains From Clothing: The Ultimate Guide

Nothing ruins a favorite outfit faster than a stubborn stain. Whether it’s coffee on your work shirt, makeup on a dress, or grease on jeans, tough stains can feel impossible to remove — but with the right techniques, most of them can be saved.

Here’s your complete guide to lifting even the most stubborn stains and keeping your wardrobe looking fresh and clean.

1. Act Fast — Speed Matters

The sooner you treat a stain, the better your chances of getting it out completely. Fresh stains haven’t fully set into the fabric yet, so don’t wait until laundry day if you can help it.

• Blot (don’t rub!) to lift excess residue

• Rinse with cold water if applicable

• Keep the stained area damp until you can treat it

2. Know Your Stain Type

Different stains require different treatments. Here are the most common stubborn stains and how to handle each one:

3. Grease & Oil Stains

Examples: Food grease, oil splatter, lotion, deodorant

How to treat:

1. Sprinkle baking soda, cornstarch, or baby powder directly on the stain

2. Let sit 10–20 minutes to absorb oils

3. Brush off powder

4. Apply dish soap (a grease-fighter!) and gently scrub

5. Rinse with warm water and launder as usual

Pro tip: Don’t put the item in the dryer until the stain is fully gone.

4. Coffee, Tea & Wine Stains

These tannin-based stains can set quickly.

How to treat:

1. Rinse with cold water from the back of the fabric

2. Soak in warm water + a bit of laundry detergent

3. For extra power, dab with white vinegar or hydrogen peroxide (test on fabric first)

4. Wash normally

Pro tip: Never use bar soap — it can make tannin stains worse.

5. Makeup & Foundation Stains

Powder and liquid formulas behave differently.

How to treat:

1. For powder makeup: gently blow or dust it off first

2. Apply a small amount of dish soap or makeup remover

3. Rub lightly with your fingers or a soft toothbrush

4. Rinse with warm water

5. Launder as usual

Pro tip: For lipstick, use rubbing alcohol before washing.

6. Sweat & Deodorant Stains

These are common on white or light-colored fabrics.

How to treat:

1. Mix baking soda + water to form a paste

2. Apply, scrub gently, and let sit 30 minutes

3. Rinse with warm water

4. Wash with a whitening detergent

Pro tip: Hydrogen peroxide is great for whitening non-delicate fabrics.

7. Ink Stains

One of the toughest stains to remove — but still doable.

How to treat:

1. Place a paper towel under the stain

2. Dab with rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer

3. Keep blotting until the ink transfers

4. Rinse and wash as usual

Pro tip: Never rub — spreading makes it worse.

8. Blood Stains

Cold water is crucial.

How to treat:

1. Rinse with cold water (hot will set the stain)

2. Apply hydrogen peroxide and let bubble

3. Rinse and repeat if needed

4. Launder normally

9. General Stain-Removing Tips

• Check care labels to avoid damaging delicate fabrics

• Never put stained clothes in the dryer — heat sets stains permanently

• When in doubt, pre-treat with stain remover or liquid detergent

• Test all chemicals (vinegar, peroxide, alcohol) on a hidden area first

10. DIY Stain-Removal Kit

Keep these on hand for emergencies:

• Dish soap

• White vinegar

• Baking soda

• Hydrogen peroxide

• Rubbing alcohol

• Soft-bristle toothbrush

• Microfiber cloth

With just these items, you can tackle almost any stain life throws at your clothing.

Of course we’re not always gonna know what the stains are when we’re reselling another thing I found that works soak your clothes in an Oxy bath and I do this for 24 hours rinse then wash with laundry soap and Oxy included. It has been working wonders even on ring around the collar on white clothing.

Final Thoughts

Stubborn stains don’t have to mean ruined clothes. With quick action and the right technique for your specific stain, you can rescue almost any fabric — and save your wardrobe (and wallet!) from unnecessary replacements.

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