Stains happen to everyone. The difference between a ruined garment and a rescued one often comes down to how quickly and correctly you respond. This guide covers the most common stains, what actually works, and what makes things worse.
The Golden Rules of Stain Treatment
- Act fast. Fresh stains are always easier to remove than dried or set ones.
- Blot, never rub. Rubbing spreads the stain and pushes it deeper into the fibres.
- Work from the outside in. This prevents the stain from spreading further.
- Test first. Always test any treatment on a hidden area of the fabric first.
- Cold water first. Hot water sets many protein-based stains permanently.
Red Wine
What works: Blot immediately with a clean white cloth. Pour cold water or club soda over the stain to dilute it. Apply a small amount of washing-up liquid and blot again. Salt can help absorb fresh wet wine before it dries.
What doesn't work: Pouring white wine on red wine is a myth — you're just adding more liquid. Hot water will set the stain.
When to call us: If the fabric is silk, wool, or a delicate blend, or if the stain has already dried, bring it to us immediately. We've successfully treated many "impossible" red wine stains.
Grease and Oil
What works: Sprinkle cornstarch, baking soda, or talcum powder on the stain and leave for 15–30 minutes to absorb the grease. Brush away gently, then treat with a small amount of washing-up liquid (which is designed to cut through grease). Rinse with cold water.
What doesn't work: Water alone won't touch grease. Rubbing will spread it.
When to call us: For heavy or large grease stains, or on dry-clean-only fabrics, professional solvent cleaning is far more effective than any home treatment.
Coffee and Tea
What works: Blot immediately, then rinse with cold water. A small amount of washing-up liquid worked in gently can help. White vinegar diluted in water is also effective on fresh coffee stains.
What doesn't work: Letting it dry — coffee tannins bond to fabric quickly and become much harder to remove.
Ink
What works: Rubbing alcohol or hand sanitiser applied with a cotton wool ball can break down ballpoint ink. Dab — don't rub — and change the cotton wool frequently so you're lifting ink, not spreading it.
What doesn't work: Water spreads ink rapidly. Avoid it until after the alcohol treatment.
When to call us: Fountain pen or printer ink is significantly harder to remove. Bring it to us as quickly as possible.
Blood
What works: Cold water only — immediately and generously. Cold water is essential; warm or hot water will cook the proteins in blood and set the stain permanently. Hydrogen peroxide (3%) can be effective on white or light fabrics, but test on a hidden area first.
What doesn't work: Hot water. Absolutely do not use hot water on blood.
Sweat and Deodorant
What works: A paste of baking soda and water left for 30 minutes before washing can help neutralise the odour and lift the stain. White vinegar diluted in water is also effective.
When to call us: Yellow underarm staining that has built up over time is best treated professionally — home treatments rarely reverse yellowing once it has set.
When to Stop and Call Us
Some situations call for professional intervention from the start:
- The care label says dry clean only
- The fabric is silk, wool, cashmere, velvet, or leather
- The stain has already dried and set
- You've tried a home treatment and it hasn't worked
- The stain is large or covers a significant area
The sooner you bring a stained garment to us, the better our chances of full removal. We've rescued countless items that owners had written off as ruined.
Book a free collection today — we'll assess the stain and advise on the best course of treatment.