CONTAINS: Hops, malts, alcohol, albumins, tannin

1. Apply detergent solution, blot.
2. Apply vinegar solution, blot frequently.
3. Rinse with water, blot until dry.

CONTAINS: Albumin, fat, fibrin, iron

1. Apply cool detergent solution, blot.
2. Apply cool ammonia solution, blot.
3. Apply enzyme detergent, blot
4. Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry.
5. If stain remains, apply rust remover or oxalic acid solution.
6. Bleaching with 3-5% hydrogen peroxide may be necessary.
Note: Take safety precautions when cleaning blood spills to avoid possible infection or contamination.

CONTAINS: Vegetable dye, corn oil, milk, salt, preservatives, vegetable fats

1. Apply dry-cleaning solvent, blot.
2. Apply detergent solution, blot until dry.
3. Apply vinegar solution, blot.
4. Rinse with water, blot until dry.

Candle Wax
STAIN: Stiff and built-up

CONTAINS: Petroleum, animal fats and oils, vegetable fats and oils, basic dyes

1. Try freezing the wax with an ice cube, then breaking and removing the frozen pieces.
2. Apply dry-cleaning solvent.
3. Apply POG, blot.
4. Apply dry-cleaning solvent, blot.

Ketchup and Tomato Sauce
STAIN: Reddish-brown, absorbed and built-up

CONTAINS: Tomatoes, salt, sugar, spices, tannin, vinegar, onion

1. Apply cool detergent solution, blot.
2. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
3. Apply enzyme detergent, blot.
4. If stain remains, bleach with 3-5% hydrogen peroxide or sodium perborate.
5. Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry.

Chewing Gum
STAIN: Grayish or pink, rubbery, sticky, built-up

CONTAINS: Chicle flavoring, sugar

1. Harden gum with an ice cube until it is brittle enough to scrape off with dull knife or spatula.
2. Apply dry-cleaning solvent to remove remaining traces.
OR
Use a commercial chewing gum remover.

Chocolate
STAIN: Brown with irregular edge, absorbed or built up

CONTAINS: Oil, grease, cocoa, butter, coloring, sugar, milk

1. Scrape off as much as possible with spatula or dull knife.
2. Apply cool detergent solution, blot.
3. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
4. Apply vinegar solution, blot.
5. Apply enzyme detergent, blot.
6. Rinse thoroughly with water and blot until dry.

Cocktails
STAIN: Colorless or light brown, absorbed

CONTAINS: Alcohol, tannin, sugar, food colors

1. Apply detergent solution, blot.
2. Apply vinegar solution, blot.
3. Rinse with water, blot until dry.

Coffee
STAIN: Brown with irregular edge, darkening with heat and age

CONTAINS: Tannins, sugar, fatty acids, alcohol, oils, milk, cream

1. Apply detergent solution, blot. (Use enzyme detergent if cream was present.)
2. Apply vinegar solution, blot.
3. Apply enzyme detergent, blot.
4. Rinse with water, blot until dry.
* Ammonia will set stains on wool and silk but may help in removal from other fabrics.

Cough Syrup
STAIN: Usually absorbed with an irregular edge, sticky when wet, stiff when dry.

CONTAINS: Honey, sugar, syrup, menthol, alcohol, flavoring, coloring matter

1. Apply detergent solution, blot.
2. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
3. Apply vinegar solution, blot.
4. Apply enzyme detergent, blot.
5. Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry.

Crayons
STAIN: Built-up, sometimes shiny

CONTAINS: Wax, grease, pigment, coloring matter

1. Apply dry-cleaning solvent.
2. Apply POG, blot.
3. Apply dry-cleaning solvent, blot.
4. Apply detergent solution, blot. 5. Rinse with water, blot until dry

Egg (Raw)
STAIN: White and/or yellow, built-up, coagulates with heat

CONTAINS: Albumin, oils, fats, coloring matter

1. Blot up as much as possible, as quickly as possible.
2. Apply detergent solution, blot.
3. Apply cold ammonia solution, blot.
4. If stain remains, apply enzyme detergent and keep moist.
5. Rinse with water, blot until dry.

Food Coloring
STAIN: Absorbed, irregular edge

CONTAINS: Coloring matter, propylene glycol

1. Apply detergent solution, blotting frequently. A dried stain will probably spread when wet.
2. Repeat step 1 until color is no longer transferred to the towel.
3. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
4. Rinse thoroughly with water and blot until dry.

Fruit Juice
STAIN: Light yellow or characteristic color of fruit, absorbed and splotchy with irregular edge

CONTAINS: Tannin, acids, pulp, sugar, coloring matter

1. Apply detergent solution, blot.
2. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
3. Apply vinegar solution, blot.
4. Rinse with water, blot until dry.
5. If stain remains, apply enzyme detergent, blot.
6. Rinse with water, blot until dry.

Furniture Stain
STAIN: Brownish or reddish, absorbed, with irregular edge

CONTAINS: Petroleum distillate, coloring matter

1. Apply dry-cleaning solvent.
2. Apply POG, blot.
3. Apply dry-cleaning solvent, blot.
4. Apply detergent solution, blot.
5. Rinse with water and blot until dry.

* This stain is almost impossible to remove completely.

Glue (School)
STAIN: Stiff and shiny, usually built-up

CONTAINS: Starches, gelatins, albumins

1. Apply water, blot.
2. Apply detergent solution, blot.
3. If stain remains, heat the detergent solution slightly and repeat step 2.
4. Rinse with water, blot until dry.

Grass
STAIN: Green and/or brown smudges

CONTAINS: Tannin, acids, oils, chlorophyll

1. Apply amyl acetate, if available, to remove chlorophyll, blot.
2. Apply enzyme detergent, blot.
3. Rinse with water, blot.
4. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
5. Apply vinegar solution, blot.
6. Rinse with water, blot until dry.
* Bleaching (or professional stripping) may be necessary.

Gravy
STAIN: Brownish, absorbed and built-up

CONTAINS: Meat extracts, starch, proteins, milk, flour, seasonings

1. Apply detergent solution, blot.
2. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
3. Apply vinegar solution, blot.
4. Apply enzyme detergent, blot.
5. Rinse with water, blot until dry.

Greases
STAIN: Grayish or brownish, absorbed or built-up

CONTAINS: Oils, sometimes soils

1. Apply dry-cleaning solvent.
2. Apply POG sparingly, and blot.
3. Alternate steps 1 and 2.
4. If stain remains, apply detergent solution, blot.
5. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
6. Apply vinegar solution, blot.
7. Rinse with water, blot until dry.

* Bleaching (or professional stripping) may be necessary.

Ice Cream
STAIN: Absorbed and built-up, stiff when dry

CONTAINS: Cream, milk, egg, sugar, fruits, extracts, coloring matter

1. Apply detergent solution, blot.
2. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
3. Apply vinegar solution, blot.
4. Apply enzyme detergent, keep moist, and blot.
5. Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry
6. Apply dry-cleaning solvent, blot.

Ink (Ball Point)
STAIN: Can be any color, usually blue or black, absorbed

CONTAINS: Basic or soluble aniline dyes, insoluble organic solvents, oils, resins, gums, binding agents such as shellac, varnish or petroleum

1. Apply alcohol and blot, or use wet/dry vacuum.
2. Repeat as needed.
3. Apply dry-cleaning solvent, blot.
4. Apply amyl acetate, if available, or acetone (except on acetate fibers).
5. If stain remains, apply rust remover or oxalic acid solution.
6. Bleaching (or professional stripping) may be necessary.

Ink (India)
STAIN: Absorbed, usually black

CONTAINS: Pigment (carbon black) dispersed in water with a binder

1. Apply dry-cleaning solvent.
2. Apply POG sparingly, blot.
3. Apply dry-cleaning solvent, blot.
4. Apply detergent solution, blot.
5. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
6. Rinse with water, blot until dry.

Jam and Jelly
STAIN: Reddish or bluish, absorbed and built up

CONTAINS: Pulp of fruit, sugar, tannin, preservatives

1. Apply detergent solution, blot.
2. Apply vinegar solution, blot.
3. Rinse with water, blot.
4. Apply enzyme detergent, blot.
5. Rinse with water, blot until dry.

Lipstick
STAIN: Red, pink, orange, soft and greasy

CONTAINS: Pigment or dye in fats, waxes and oils

1. Scrape off excess with spatula or dull knife.
2. Apply POG, blot, making sure not to reapply stain onto fabric.
3. Apply dry-cleaning solvent, blot.
4. Apply detergent, blot.
5. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
6. Apply vinegar solution, blot.
7. Rinse with water, blot until dry.

* Try to avoid wet-cleaning on wool. Use POG and dry-cleaning solvents as long as possible.

Merthiolate & Mercurochrome
STAIN: Orange-red, absorbed

CONTAINS: Eosin dye in alcohol solution

1. Apply detergent solution, blot.
2. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
3. Apply vinegar solution, blot.
4. Rinse with water, blot until dry.

Mildew
STAIN: Grayish or brownish fungus with black spots

* May permanently damage fibers

1. Apply enzyme detergent, blot.
2. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
3. Rinse thoroughly with water, blot.
4. Apply solution of oxidizing bleach (chlorine or perborate).
5. Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry.

Do not use chlorine bleach on wool or silk.
Caution: Some color loss may occur from the bleach.

Milk
STAIN: Usually white, sometimes lighter in the center with heavier buildup around the edges.

CONTAINS: Fats, albumins, water

1. Apply cool detergent solution, blot.
2. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
3. Apply vinegar solution, blot.
4. Rinse with water, blot until dry.
5. Apply enzyme detergent, blot.
6. Rinse with water, blot until dry.
7. Apply dry-cleaning solvent, blot.

Mucilage (also see Glue)
STAIN: Either built-up or slightly absorbed, stiff with an irregular edge when dry.

CONTAINS: Albumins, animal proteins and gums

1. Apply hot enzyme detergent solution, blot.
2. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
3. Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry.

Mud
STAIN: Grayish, brownish, or yellowish, absorbed and built-up.

CONTAINS: Soil with greases and oils, clay, iron

1. Brush or scrape off as much as possible.
2. Apply detergent solution, blot.
3. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
4. Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry.
5. If stain remains, apply POG and dry-cleaning solvent alternately, blot until dry.

Note: Some red clay and mud stains may be difficult to remove completely.

Nail Polish
STAIN: Usually pink or red, stiff, shiny and built-up.

CONTAINS: Red dye or pigment in a liquid cellulose acetate base, solvent, plasticizer.

1. Apply amyl acetate, if available, or nail polish remover. PRETEST FIRST. Repeat as needed, with blotting.
2. Apply dry-cleaning solvent.
3. Apply POG, blot; apply dry-cleaning solvent, blot.
4. If stain remains, apply detergent solution, blot until dry.
5. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
6. Apply vinegar solution, blot.
7. Rinse with water, blot until dry.

Oils
STAIN: Circular, elongated or cross-shaped, darkening with age

CONTAINS: Petroleum distillate or vegetable oil, polyglycerides, methyl silicate, preservatives

1. Apply dry-cleaning solvent.
2. Apply POG sparingly, blot.
3. Alternate dry-cleaning solvent and POG, blotting frequently.
4. Apply detergent solution, blot.
5. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
6. Apply vinegar solution, blot.
7. Rinse with water, blot until dry.

Paint (oil)
STAIN: Usually built-up and stiff

CONTAINS: Pigments, drying oils, resins, gums, volatile solvents

* Check label on paint for specific thinner or solvent OR

1. Apply dry-cleaning solvent.
2. Apply POG, blot; apply dry-cleaning solvent, blot.
3. Repeat step 2 until as much paint as possible is removed.
4. Weight down the stain with towels dampened with dry-cleaning solvent for several hours to loosen, blot with solvent.
5. Apply several drops of detergent solution and work into the stain, blot.
6. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
7. Alternate steps 2 and 5 until stain is removed.
8. Rinse thoroughly with warm water, blot until dry.

Paint (water)
STAIN: Absorbed or built-up, stiff when dry

CONTAINS: Water, latex, pigments, emulsifiers, preservatives

1. Apply detergent solution, blot. Repeat as needed.
2. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
3. Rinse with water, blot until dry
4. Apply POG on aged, hardened paint, blot.
5. Apply dry-cleaning solvent, blot. Repeat as needed.

Rubber Cement
STAIN: White or clear, built-up, possibly sticky or shiny

CONTAINS: Rubber (synthetic or natural), resin, solvent

1. Roll the glue off if it has hardened sufficiently.
2. Apply dry-cleaning solvent.
3. Apply POG sparingly, blot.
4. Apply dry-cleaning solvent, blot.
5. Apply detergent solution, blot.
6. Rinse with water, blot until dry.

Rust
STAIN: Reddish-brown, absorbed or built-up

CONTAINS: Oxides of Iron

1. Apply rust remover or warm oxalic acid solution.
2. Allow to stand for 10-15 minutes.
3. Repeat with hot solution.
4. Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry.

Shoe Polish
STAIN: Usually black or brown, absorbed or built-up

CONTAINS: Waxes, resins, solvents, dyes, shellac, alcohol, tannin

1. Apply dry-cleaning solvent.
2. Apply POG sparingly, blot.
3. Apply dry-cleaning solvent, blot.
4. Apply detergent solution, blot.
5. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
6. Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry.
7. If stain persists, bleaching (or professional stripping) may be necessary.
Some dark staining may still remain.

Soft Drinks
STAIN: Colorless, yellowish, reddish, or brownish, darkening with age

CONTAINS: Tannin, sugar, vegetable coloring, flavoring, fruit extracts

1. Apply cold detergent solution, blot
2. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
3. Apply vinegar solution, blot.
4. Rinse with water, blot until dry.

Soot
STAIN: Black spots or smudges

CONTAINS: Carbon, sulfur compounds, sometimes grease

1. Apply dry-cleaning solvent, blot.
2. Apply detergent solution, blot.
3. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
4. Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry.

Tar & Asphalt
STAIN: Black, shiny, built-up or absorbed, distinctive odor

CONTAINS: Coal tar or petroleum, sulfur compounds, moncaptans

1. Scrape off as much as possible with spatula or dull knife.
2. Apply dry-cleaning solvent.
3. Apply POG sparingly, blot; apply dry-cleaning solvent, blot.
4. Apply detergent solution, blot.
5. Rinse with water, blot until dry.

Toothpaste
STAIN: Whitish, greenish, or bluish (other colors possible), absorbed and built-up

CONTAINS: Soap, bleaching compound, flavoring, fluoride compound, coloring

1. Apply detergent solution, blot.
2. Apply vinegar solution, blot.
3. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
4. Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry.

Urine
STAIN: Yellowish or brownish, darkening with age; absorbed

CONTAINS: Urea, uric acid, ammonia, organic acids, pigments, cholesterol, albumins, proteases

1. Blot up as much as possible if still wet.
2. Apply detergent solution, blot.
3. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
4. Apply vinegar solution, blot.
5. Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry.
6. If stain remains, apply rust remover or oxalic acid solution.
7. Bleaching with 3-5% hydrogen peroxide or sodium perborate might be necessary.

* Urine stains may cause permanent dye removal from fibers, and may damage wool silk or nylon.

Vomit
STAIN: Various colors, absorbed and built-up

CONTAINS: Food, mucus, albumins, acids

1. Blot up as much as possible.
2. Apply enzyme detergent, keep moist, blot.
3. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
4. Apply vinegar solution, blot.
5. Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry.

Wine
STAIN: Reddish, purplish or yellowish, absorbed

CONTAINS: Alcohol, sugar, tannin, coloring matter

1. Blot up as much as possible. Repeat as needed.
2. Apply cool detergent solution, blot.
3. Apply vinegar solution, blot.
4. Apply ammonia solution, blot.
5. If necessary, bleach with 3-5% hydrogen peroxide or sodium perborate.
6. Rinse thoroughly with water, blot until dry.