Stains happen to everyone. Whether it’s coffee splashed on your favorite shirt, grease marks on kitchen towels, ink on school uniforms, or mysterious dark spots that appear after washing, stains are a part of everyday life. The good news? Almost every stain can be removed—if you know what you’re dealing with and act the right way.
This handy stain-removal guide breaks down how to remove any type of stain, using proven methods that work on clothes, upholstery, carpets, and household fabrics. Bookmark this guide, because once you learn the basics, you’ll never panic over stains again.
Why Knowing the Type of Stain Matters
Not all stains are created equal. The biggest mistake people make is treating all stains the same way. Some stains are oil-based, others are protein-based, while some are tannin or dye-based. Each category responds differently to heat, water, and cleaning products.
Treating a grease stain with hot water can set it permanently. Rubbing blood with heat will cook the protein into the fibers. Ink requires solvents, not soap.
Knowing the stain category is the secret to removing it successfully.
The 4 Main Types of Stains (Know These First)
1. Protein-Based Stains
These include:
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Blood
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Sweat
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Dairy
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Eggs
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Vomit
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Baby formula
Golden Rule:
Never use hot water first. Heat sets protein stains permanently.
Best approach: Cold water + enzyme cleaners.
2. Oil & Grease-Based Stains
These include:
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Cooking oil
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Butter
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Makeup
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Lotion
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Motor oil
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Food grease
Golden Rule:
Oil repels water. You must break the grease first.
Best approach: Dish soap or degreasers.
3. Tannin-Based Stains
These include:
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Coffee
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Tea
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Wine
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Juice
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Tomato sauce
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Fruit
Golden Rule:
These stains respond well to acidic treatments.
Best approach: Vinegar, lemon juice, oxygen bleach.
4. Dye & Chemical Stains
These include:
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Ink
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Permanent marker
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Hair dye
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Paint
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Grass stains
Golden Rule:
These stains require solvents, not soap alone.
Best approach: Alcohol, acetone, or stain-specific removers.
