How to Remove Stains Properly (Without Making Them Worse)
š±Ā Alkaline-based solutions are used when grease, oil, or heavy build-up is the problem - not everyday dirt.
Green Cleaning Guide
Laundry Solution
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Most stains donāt fail to come out because you didnāt try hard enough.
They fail because the wrong approach was used first.
Heat can set a stain.Ā The wrong cleaner can lock it in - and scrubbing without understanding the stain type can make things worse.
This guide explains how to identify common stain types and choose the right cleaning approach, using simple green cleaning principles.
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First Rule of Stain Removal
Before reaching for anything:
- Identify the type of stain as best you can
- Start with the least aggressive method
- Avoid heat until youāre confident itās safe
If youāre unsure, air-dry only. Never use a dryer on a stained item.
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Know Your Stain Type
Most stains fall into one of five categories:
- Protein (enzymatic) stains
- Oil-based stains
- Tannin (oxidisable) stains
- Particulate (dirt-based) stains
- Combination stains
Where the stain is found, how it smells, and what was involved usually gives you a clue.
1. Protein (Enzymatic) Stains
Examples include:
- Blood
- Vomit
- Sweat
- Faeces
- Egg
These stains are caused by animal-based proteins.
What matters most
Heat must be avoided.
Hot water will cook the protein, causing it to bind permanently to fabric fibres.
Best approach
- Rinse or soak in cold water first
- Use an enzyme-based cleaner to break down the protein
- Allow time to work before washing
If further treatment is needed, oxygen-based cleaners like sodium percarbonate can be used only once cooled, as they require warm activation but heat must still be avoided on the fabric.
Never dry the item until the stain is fully gone.
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2. Oil-Based Stains
Examples include:
- Cooking oil
- Butter
- Makeup
- Body creams
These stains are greasy and water-repellent.
Best approach
- Blot excess oil with a clean cloth
- Sprinkle bicarb or starch to absorb residue
- Use soap, which acts as a surfactant to lift oil into water
- Wash in warm or hot water if the fabric allows
For heavy-duty stains, cleaning paste or a warm soak with sodium percarbonate may be appropriate.
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3. Tannin (Oxidisable) Stains
Examples include:
- Coffee
- Tea
- Red wine
- Soft drinks
These stains come from plant-based pigments.
Why oxygen works
Tannin stains are coloured because of light-absorbing molecules.
Oxygen-based cleaners work by breaking those molecules apart.
Best approach
- Use hydrogen peroxide or sodium percarbonate
- Apply as a soak, paste, or targeted treatment
- Wash in the hottest water the fabric can safely handle
Always test first on coloured fabrics.
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4. Particulate Stains
Examples include:
- Mud
- Soil
- Clay
- General dirt
These stains sit between fibres rather than bonding chemically.
Best approach
- Allow mud to dry, then brush off excess
- Use an alkaline cleaner to lift particles
- Wash normally with a DIY laundry powder
For stubborn spots, a paste made from washing soda or bicarb can help loosen embedded dirt.
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5. Combination Stains
Many real-life stains are a mix of types.
For example:
- Coffee with milk (tannin + protein)
- Food stains with oil and pigment
- Makeup with oils and particles
Best approach
- Identify the dominant stain type
- Treat for that first
- Avoid switching randomly between methods
When unsure, oxygen-based cleaners are often the safest middle ground ā provided the fabric can tolerate them.
Important Stain Removal Reminders
- Never use heat unless youāre sure itās safe
- Never dry a stained item ājust to seeā
- Test first on coloured or delicate fabrics
- Time and patience matter more than force
No method is guaranteed, but correct matching dramatically improves results.
