How to Remove Stains from Clothes

You are enjoying a meal, laughing with friends, when suddenly a splash lands on your shirt. Or perhaps you are walking to the station with your morning coffee and it slips. In seconds a favourite item feels ruined. It happens to everyone, and it never feels good. The good news is that most stains can be lifted if you know what to do.

Why stains are stubborn 🤔

Each type of stain behaves differently. Coffee and tea contain tannins that cling to fabric. Wine and sauces carry natural dyes that spread quickly. Oil and butter seep into fibres and hang on tight. Spices like turmeric can leave a bright yellow shadow long after the meal is over. Understanding the type of stain makes it easier to choose the right approach.

Golden rules for every stain

• Act quickly. The sooner you start, the more chance you have of saving the fabric.
• Blot gently with a clean cloth. Rubbing pushes the stain deeper.
• Rinse from the back of the fabric with cold water so the mark is flushed out.
• Always read the care label before using any detergent or cleaner.

Practical tips for common stains

☕ Coffee or tea

Run cold water through the back of the fabric. Work in a little liquid detergent and rinse again. If a shadow remains, soak in a solution of oxygen-based stain remover before washing.

🍷 Red wine

Sprinkle salt or bicarbonate of soda onto the fresh stain to absorb liquid. Rinse with cold water, then treat with detergent. On whites, a little hydrogen peroxide can help but test a hidden area first.

🫒 Oil and grease

Dust with cornflour, talc, or baking soda to draw out the oil. Brush away, then rub in a drop of washing-up liquid. Rinse and wash as normal, checking before drying.

🌱 Grass and mud

Let mud dry, then brush off as much as possible. Make a paste with detergent and baking soda, apply to the green marks, leave for fifteen minutes, then wash.

🌶️ Spices such as turmeric

Scrape away any food, rinse with cold water, and apply dish soap to cut through the oil. Wash according to the label. If the yellow colour remains, repeat or soak in oxygen-based cleaner for several hours.

Mistakes to avoid

• Using hot water at the start. Heat can lock stains in.
• Scrubbing hard. This damages fibres and spreads the mark.
• Putting clothes in the dryer too soon. Always check in good light first.

When to ask for help

Some fabrics like silk, wool, and cashmere need extra care. Old stains that have already set can also be tricky. If you are not sure, do the simple first steps and then take the item to a professional. In London, people around North Finchley and Notting Hill often bring these kinds of problems to us because we have the equipment and experience to deal with them safely.

A neighbourly note

Stains are part of everyday life. A splash of curry, a glass of wine, a muddy walk through the park, they happen. What matters is how quickly and calmly you respond. Most marks can be treated at home with the right steps. And if they cannot, there is always support nearby. At Glint Express we see these challenges every week and we help our neighbours keep clothes fresh and wearable again.