Spilt something nasty on your carpet, down your clothes or on the sofa? Don’t worry – our A-Z guide to removing common stains from your clothes, furniture and carpets will keep your clothes and your home stain free and looking like new.
General stain removal tips:
- Always use colour fast cloths or sponges to apply products, unless an applicator is supplied.
- Before you clean off any stain, always check to see if there are manufacturer’s cleaning instructions on any label first. Always, always try any stain removal products on a small inconspicuous patch first. If you are not sure whether the item that has been stained will be suitable for our suggestions, it is best to seek professional cleaning advice.
- Always remove as much excess from the stain as possible before starting to treat it.
Recommended stain removal tool kit
Our top recommended stain removal products needed to shift a lot of common stains are listed below – have these in your kitchen cabinet and you’ll always be ready, no matter what gets thrown at you (or your floor):
- Astonish stain removing bar
- Biological washing powder
- Dr Beckmann carpet stain remover with cleaning applicator/brush
- Dr Beckmann stain slayer (clothes/carpet/upholstery)
- Ecozone stain remover (clothes)
- Rubbing alcohol
- Soda crystals
- Vanish carpet shampoo
- White methylated spirit
A-Z of stains
- Beer:
If you spill beer on the carpet, use carpet shampoo to lift it. If you can still see a stain, buy a proprietary stain removal product such as Dr Beckmann. For old dried-on stains, you may be able to lift them a little by dabbing them with methylated spirit.- If the beer is spilled on your clothes, first try washing in the machine as hot as the label will allow you, using a biological washing powder. If the stain has been on your clothes for a while, soak it first in warm water mixed with soda crystals.
- If you spill beer on upholstery, sponge it off with warm water. If the beer stain has been there a while, mix a 1:5 solution of clear vinegar and water and use to clean off, being careful not to wet the fabric too much, then rinse away with clean water. Finish by dabbing with kitchen paper or a dry cloth.
- Blackcurrant juice:
If blackcurrant gets spilled on the carpet, dab it immediately using kitchen paper (don’t rub) to absorb as much of the juice as possible and then work at the stain using a stain-removing bar such as Astonish. Afterwards, give the carpet a shampoo.- If the juice gets on your clothes, rinse the stain first with cold water and then pre-soak with soda crystals. Afterwards, wash in the machine on the hottest setting that the label allows, using biological washing powder. More stubborn stains should be treated with a stain remover – Ecozone is excellent.
- If the juice spills on upholstery, first dab with cold water and a clean cloth, then blot dry with kitchen paper or a cloth. If this doesn’t bring out the stain, try Dr Beckmann’s Stain Slayer which is very good.
- Chocolate:
- If the chocolate is smeared on carpets, try to scrape off as much of it as you can using a blunt knife, then shampoo the carpet.
- If the chocolate is smeared on your clothes, scrape off as much as you can with a blunt knife then soak in washing crystals before washing in the machine on the hottest setting that the label allows.
- For chocolate stains on upholstery, scrape off as much as you can with a blunt knife then using a proprietary stain remover like Dr Beckmann’s.
- Coffee:
To get coffee out of the carpet, sponge the stain with cold water, then blot it dry using kitchen paper or a dry cloth. If the mark persists, shampoo the carpet.- If the coffee stain is on your clothes, soak them in warm water with washing crystals, then wash them on the hottest setting that the label allows. Any stubborn coffee stains can be removed by soaking the clothes in a 1:2 clear vinegar and water solution.
- For coffee stains on upholstery, first sponge the stain with cold water then dab at it using a solution of water mixed with a little washing powder. Rinse and blot dry using kitchen paper or a cloth. If the stain remains, use a proprietary stain remover like Dr Beckmann’s.
- Curry:
To get curry out of the carpet, use a stain removal treatment straight away, then shampoo the carpet.- If you get curry on your clothes, first apply a liquid detergent to the stained area, then wash as normal. Any stubborn marks on white clothes can be treated with a diluted hydrogen peroxide solution, but as with all stain removal, you must test on an inconspicuous area first.
- If you get curry on upholstery, first scrape off any excess, then apply a solution of cold water, a teaspoon of washing up liquid, and a tablespoon of white vinegar. Dab it on the stain allowing the cleaning liquid to absorb into the stained area. Continue to work at the stain until is removed, then wash away the cleaning solution with cold water and the dry the spot. If the stain persists, dabbing the area with rubbing alcohol can help – make sure you dab dry the area where you add the alcohol afterwards.
- Ketchup:
To get ketchup out of the carpet, scrape off as much as you can with a blunt knife, then blot the stain using a solution of 50% glycerine 50% water. Dab the carpet clean using soda water or a baking-soda solution and then shampoo it with carpet shampoo.- To get ketchup out of your clothes, pre-soak them using washing crystals and then wash them as usual, using a biological washing powder.
- To get ketchup off upholstery, dab at it lightly using cold water without allowing the fabric to get too wet. Rinse the area and dab it using a clean cloth to remove any excess water. If the ketchup stain persists, use a proprietary stain remover like Dr Beckmann’s.
Struggling with a stain not listed here? Let us know below and we’ll post up some advice!