How to Remove Stains, From Grease to Coffee

The first step to removing a stain is identifying where it came from, which will dictate how and what you need to get it out of your clothes.

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Whether it's from cooking dinner or doing work in your garden, getting a few stains on your clothes is a common occurrence. But not all stains were created equally—they each have specific properties that require their own unique cleaning solutions. What might get out a grease mark, for example, might not be conducive to eliminating a coffee stain. No matter what type of spot you're dealing with though, there is a cleaning solution out there that can return your piece to its original condition. The first step? Identifying the type of stain you need to treat.

Don't panic if you've noticed a stain on your favorite blouse or trousers—most stains can be treated using common household cleaning supplies. Many of the spots outlined below, for example, are removed with our DIY diluted dishwashing soap solution. Make sure to use a soap that's fragrance- and dye-free and contains sodium lauryl sulfate or sodium laureth sulfate. Note that if you're cleaning protein fibers, like silk, wool, cashmere, or angora, you should't use the enzyme detergent instructed below.

Whether you're cooking chicken or making your favorite salad dressing, you know how difficult grease stains can be to remove.

If you've ever gotten a little blood on your blouse or some stray yolk when cracking an egg, you've dealt with a protein stain.

The natural dyes on fruits and vegetables can leave behind stains when they come in contact with fabric.

Whether your children were playing outside or you were doing yard work, grass stains are easy to come by—especially during warmer weather.

Mud stains are another causality of spending time outdoors. If the stain is mixed with grass, follow the instructions above. However, pure mud stains are easier to treat, as you don't have to worry about the grass pigment bleeding into your clothes.

Spilled some wine on your carpet or clothes while sipping on your evening glass? Don't fret. Removing both red and white wine stains has never been easier.

From your morning cup of coffee to your nightly mug of tea, stains from these beverages are common but a cinch to treat.

Bits of broken off chocolate can quickly melt into your clothes if left unnoticed. We recommend scraping off the excess before machine washing, so the detergent can really penetrate the stain.

These sticky substances are easier to treat when they're frozen, which can be done by applying ice to the spot or by placing the item in the freezer.

It happens—you fix your lipstick with your finger then transfer it to your shirt. Although it's a frustrating beauty mishap, the stain is far from permanent.

From mustard and ketchup spilling out of your burger bun to drips of soy sauce when dipping a piece of sushi, condiments are probably one of the most common stains you get on your clothes.

Writing mishaps are a thing, too. If you swiped your clothes with a pen, the first step—no matter the type of ink you're dealing with—is to build a dam around the stain with mineral oil or petroleum jelly. Always work within the confines of the dam to prevent the stain from spreading.