How to Remove 5 Common Stains
Blood: If dried, pretreat or soak in warm water with a product containing enzymes. Launder. If fresh, soak in cold water. (Do not use hot water as it will set blood stains.) Launder. (Note: If stain remains, rewash using a bleach that is safe for the fabric.
Coffee: Sponge or soak stain in cool water. Pretreat with prewash stain remover, liquid laundry detergent, liquid detergent booster or paste of powder laundry product and water. Launder using sodium hypochlorite bleach, if safe for fabric, or oxygen bleach. (Note: Older stains may respond to pretreating or soaking in a product containing enzymes, then laundering.)
Ink: Pretreat using one of the following methods: (1) Apply a prewash stain remover. Launder. (2) Sponge the area around the stain with the denatured alcohol or cleaning fluid before applying it directly to the stain. Place stain facedown on clean paper towels. Apply alcohol or cleaning fluid to back of stain. Replace paper towels frequently. Rinse thoroughly. Launder. (3) Place stain over mouth of a jar glass; hold fabric taut. Drip the denatured alcohol or cleaning fluid through the stain so ink will drop into the container as it is being removed. Rinse thoroughly. Launder.
Lipstick: Pretreat with prewash stain remover, liquid laundry detergent, paste of powder detergent or laundry additive and water. Or rub with bar soap. Launder in the hottest water that’s safe for the fabric. A second round of prewash stain remover and laundering may be required.
Salad dressing: Pretreat with a prewash stain remover. Launder in the hottest water that’s safe for the fabric. (Check for stain removal before adding to dryer. If stain remains, wash again. Dryer heat can permanently set some stains.)
Source: The American Cleaning Institute (cleaninginstitute.org)