How to Remove Stains From Clothing: Blood, Grease, Grass, Oil and More

Is there anything more frustrating than getting bacon grease on your favorite shirt? Or red wine on your favorite date-night pants? When this inevitably happens, you could give up and give in to the stain, crowning a new, ultimately lesser, favorite shit — or you could go down fighting. We encourage the latter and have some high-success cleaning tips for getting rid of any type of annoying, stubborn stain from blood and grass to wine, oil and more. 

No matter the substance, here are steps to remove just about any stain with a few household items you probably already have at home. For more cleaning tips, explore how to clean workout clothes and how to clean your running shoes. 

How to remove oil and grease stains from clothes

Oil and grease stains are tricky to remove, but not impossible. Dab some laundry detergent on the stain and wash the garment according to the tag instructions, or try a dish soap and white vinegar combo for stubborn stains. 

The method outlined below is one that cohorts of online advice givers swear by, and only requires dish soap and baking soda. And remember, time is of the essence when it comes to oil and grease, so tackle the stains as soon as you notice them.

1. For any stain, first blot the mark, removing any excess. 
2. Apply a few drops of gentle dish soap to the stain. Rub in the soap with clean fingers until the detergent is completely coating the stain. 
3. Next, apply a tablespoon of baking soda over the soap and scrub it into the fabric for two minutes (you can use a soft bristle toothbrush for a more efficient scrub).
4. Once the mixture forms a paste, leave the solution and garment to sit for an hour.
5. Rinse the garment in the sink and then machine wash.

How to remove grass stains from clothes

Grass stains are almost inevitable on kids’ clothing, and can be stubborn to remove. You may be able to machine wash them out or use a stain remover, but if that doesn’t do the trick, you can find a go-to solution here:

1. Soak the garment in a stain-fighting mixture for 30 minutes. You can use a solution of 2 cups white vinegar or a mixture of dish soap and hydrogen peroxide. 
2. Gently scrub the spot with a soft brush. 
3. Thoroughly rinse the mixture from the clothing with cool water.
4. Machine wash according to the tag. 

How to remove blood stains from clothes

Blood is notoriously tough to get out of clothes, and may require several treatments. But it’s easiest to remove when it’s fresh, so act as fast as you can. Here’s one method: 

1. Soak the stained garment in cold water in the sink as soon as you notice the stain. (Make sure water is cold, since hot water will encourage the blood’s proteins to set the stain into the fabric.) If the stain is very recent, blot out all the excess with a paper towel or even run the garment under the faucet to remove as much as you can.
2. Coat the stain with a hydrogen peroxide (20%)mixture (1 part hydrogen peroxide to 6 parts cold water) or apply a baking soda paste (2 parts baking soda to 1 part water).
3. Rinse the garment in cold water before machine washing. 

How to remove sweat stains from clothes

It’s unfortunate, but it happens. Even in the hottest climates, though, you don’t have to let sweat ruin your clothes with this method: 

1. Make a solution of a quarter-cup of white vinegar with one cup of water.
2. Drench the sweat stain with the mixture or fully submerge the garment.
3. Allow the garment to soak for 30 full minutes. 
4. Rinse with cool water and machine wash.

How to remove coffee stains

I drink coffee like it’s my job. I love it. But I really don’t love the coffee stains that inevitably get on my work blazer or favorite pair of business pants when I’m rushing in the mornings. Here’s how to get those coffee stains out: 

1. Fully submerge the stained garment in warm water.
2. Dab gentle laundry detergent or a diluted white vinegar mixture (a quarter-cup of white vinegar to one cup of water) onto the stain.
3. Machine wash on the hottest setting your garment will allow. 

How to remove red wine stains from clothes

After a night out, you might be shocked by the sight of red wine on your favorite blouse or collared shirt. While it may look dramatic, you can easily and effectively remove red wine stains: 

1. Blot the stain with a paper towel to remove any excess.
2. Mix an equal parts solution of hydrogen peroxide and dish soap and lightly work the mixture into the stain with your fingers.
3. Allow the solution to sit for 20 minutes to an hour before rinsing. 

If you prefer not to use hydrogen peroxide, you can instead apply white vinegar and dish detergent, and follow the above steps as listed. 

Bottom line

With any case, a little effort and some time will go a long way to making your clothes look brand new. Just remember to refrain from putting the garment in the dryer until the stain is completely gone (so the stain doesn’t set) and feel free to repeat any of the above processes as needed to get the stains out.

For more laundry tips, explore why it may be time to ditch your favorite laundry project and the most energy-efficient way to do your laundry.