Stain removal, done right
Remove any stain without ruining what it's on.
What works on a cotton shirt can strip a wood finish or wick back up through a carpet. Every guide is written for one stain on one material, with steps checked against university extension services and manufacturers' care instructions.
- Every step sourced
- Material-safe methods
- Dangerous mixes flagged
- Updated Nov 6, 2026
Start here
What do you need to do?
Most searched
Start with a common one
The first few minutes
How to remove almost any stain
- 1
Lift what you can
Scrape off solids with a dull edge and blot liquids with a white cloth, from the outside in. Blot, never rub.
- 2
Check the material
Read the care label or cleaning code and test any cleaner on a hidden spot first.
- 3
Start gentle
Cool water and a little mild detergent clear many fresh stains. Step up only if that fails.
- 4
Keep heat away
Hot water, the dryer or an iron can set a stain for good. Check it in good light first.
- 5
Never mix products
Bleach with ammonia, vinegar or other acids makes toxic gas. One product at a time, rinse between.
For the exact steps, pick your stain and your material below. Each guide covers what the material can take, the method, what to do if the stain has set, and when to call a professional.
Start with the stain
What spilled?
Food & drink
Wine, coffee, sauces and fruit. Most are tannin or protein stains: cool water first, never heat.
Body fluids
Blood, sweat, urine and more. Protein stains set with heat, so always start cold.
Oil & grease
Oil spreads and wicks. Absorb first, then break it down with a degreasing detergent.
Paint, glue & adhesives
Water-based or solvent-based? That one question decides the whole method.
Ink, marker & crayon
Ballpoint, permanent, washable or wax. The ink type sets the solvent.
Water, rust & minerals
Hard water, rust and rings. Mild acids help on most, but never on natural stone.
Mold & outdoor
Mold, grass and mud. Let mud dry; kill mold rather than just bleaching it.
Makeup & personal care
Oils, waxes and pigments together. Lift the oil first, then the color.
Wax, gum & sticky
Harden it with ice or lift it with gentle heat, then clean what is left.
Pet stains
Urine, vomit and accidents. Enzyme cleaners remove the odor pets come back to.
Discoloration & marks
Yellowing, bleach spots and mystery marks. Work out the cause before you treat it.
Dye & color
Dye transfer, hair dye and food coloring. Act fast, before the dye bonds.
Odors
Smells that outlast the stain. Remove the source instead of masking it.
Smoke & burns
Soot, nicotine and scorch marks. Lift loose soot dry before any liquid touches it.
Start with the material
What did it land on?
Clothes & laundry
Fabric type and care label decide water temperature, bleach and drying.
Carpet & rugs
Blot, never rub, and rinse well so the stain does not wick back.
Kitchen & bath
Counters, sinks, tubs and tile. Check the finish before reaching for acids or abrasives.
Floors
Hardwood, laminate, vinyl and tile. Protect the finish first.
Shoes & accessories
Canvas, suede, sneakers and bags each need a different touch.
Car
Seats, carpet, headliners and paint. Use as little liquid as you can.
Furniture & upholstery
Check the cleaning code under the cushion before anything wet.
Bedding & linens
Mattresses, pillows and sheets. Mattresses can never be soaked.
Leather & suede
Little water, no harsh solvents, and condition afterwards.
Outdoor
Concrete, decks and siding. Stronger cleaners, but watch the runoff.
Metal & glass
Streak-free and scratch-free, without etching the surface.
Walls
Paint finish matters: flat paint marks easily when scrubbed.
Skin & hair
Gentle, skin-safe methods only. No household cleaners on skin.
Screens & paper
Electronics, books and photos. Almost no moisture, and never spray a screen directly.
Clean the whole thing
Cleaning guides
Smells
Odor guides
Shopping
Best products, by job
Why trust these guides
Researched before it's written
Sourced methods
Steps, amounts and warnings come from university extension services, industry bodies and the makers of the materials and products involved. Every guide lists its sources.
Material-safe
Each method is matched to what the material can take: water, heat, bleach, solvents and scrubbing are checked before a single step is written.
Safety reviewed
No guide combines products that react, and every page that uses more than one cleaner says what must never be mixed.
Kept current
Guides are reviewed when makers change their instructions or a reader reports a problem, and each page shows when it was last updated.
Still looking for your stain?
Type the stain and what it's on, in your own words.