How to remove an old stain?

Author: Sydney O'Connell  |  Last update: Saturday, February 22, 2025

If it's a food or beverage stain, soak in white vinegar and dawn dish soap for about a half hour. Rinse and wash as normal in the machine. If it's a blood stain, you may have luck with hydrogen peroxide. If it's a grease stain, rub in Dawn dish soap, then, soak in hot water.

Can old stains still be removed?

Pretreating old and fresh stains can play a massive role in getting stains out of clothes. Laundry pretreatment helps remove stains in the wash the first time around. Using stain removers as pretreaters can also help you remove old set-in stains from clothes.

What is the best way to remove old stain?

Pre-treat with a stain remover, then let it soak in. Launder according to the fabric care instructions. Regular stains should come out in cold water but for extra dirty clothing or very tough stains, use the warmest setting safe for the fabric. If the stain remains, repeat the steps above.

How do you get a stain out that has been there for a long time?

Create a solution by combining equal parts white vinegar and lemon juice. Soak the stained area in the solution for 15-30 minutes, allowing the acids to break down the stain.

Can a dried stain be removed?

Use the hottest water recommended, the heavy duty cycle, a good detergent and 1/3 cup Clorox® Disinfecting Bleach. If cold water is recommended, consider increasing the temperature to at least warm or even hot.

How to Remove Stain from Wood Furniture | Stripping Detailed Wood

What is the best stain remover for old stains?

Strong Contenders
  • Seventh Generation Laundry Stain Remover.
  • Grove Co. Stain Remover Spray.
  • Carbona Laundry Stain Scrubber.
  • HEX Performance Stain & Stink Remover.
  • Ingredients Matter Stain Stick.

Does hydrogen peroxide remove stains?

Hydrogen peroxide is a powerful stain remover, natural disinfectant, and whitening agent – all without leaving harmful residues behind. It's safe for most washable, dye-stable fabrics and works effectively when added to your regular wash cycle or as a pre-treatment solution.

What is a stain that Cannot be removed?

Key Takeaways. Some of the toughest food stains to remove include coffee, tea, gum, peanut butter, mustard, berry juice, tomato-based sauces, baby food, red wine, chocolate, cooking grease and butter.

Does Dawn work as a stain remover?

Dish soap can be applied to stains before you run the wash, to better prevent them from settling into the fabric. Handwashing small loads: Dawn® Platinum can help remove stubborn oil and food stains, making it an ideal option for handwashing small loads of laundry.

Does OxiClean work on old stains?

Don't worry if an item is stained or looks dingy because it's really simple to get used items looking like new with OxiClean™ Versatile Stain Remover. Plus, by giving new life to old clothes, you're not only helping the planet, you're saving money too.

What is a powerful homemade stain remover?

DIY Stain remover recipe ➡️One part Dawn dish-washing liquid soap (approx 1 tablespoon) ➡️Two parts hydrogen peroxide (approx 2 tablespoons) ➡️One part baking soda (approx 1 tablespoon) ➡️ Let sit for about an hour the launder like normal - it's ok to let sit for longer or shorter.

How do you remove excess dried stain?

To get rid of the excess stain now, take a cloth dampened with mineral spirits and use that to scrub down the piece. This should remove the excess stain. Alternatively, apply another coat of stain, wait a couple of minutes for it to soften up the old, tacky, excess stain, then take a cloth and rub away the excess.

Can you just sand off old stain?

Using wood stripper, bleach, and sandpaper is the most effective way to remove stain from wood.

How do you get rid of 30 year old stains?

Techniques To Get Old Stains Out Of Clothes
  1. Apply white vinegar directly to the stain.
  2. Let it soak for 5 minutes.
  3. Wash in the hottest water safe for the fabric.
  4. For stubborn stains, mix vinegar with coarse salt.
  5. Place in direct sunlight to dry.
  6. Wash normally after treatment.

How to remove a set-in stain?

If it's a food or beverage stain, soak in white vinegar and dawn dish soap for about a half hour. Rinse and wash as normal in the machine. If it's a blood stain, you may have luck with hydrogen peroxide. If it's a grease stain, rub in Dawn dish soap, then, soak in hot water.

How do you remove old deep stains?

Here are eight to try:
  1. Use Liquid Soap. My go-to stain removal technique is appallingly easy. ...
  2. Try a Stain-removal Spray. Stain-removal sprays and sticks have come a long way in recent years. ...
  3. Rub White Chalk Into the Stain. ...
  4. Add Baking Soda to Your Wash Cycle. ...
  5. Opt for Corn Starch. ...
  6. Bust Out the Acetone. ...
  7. Bleach it.

Why is Blue Dawn different?

It's the fact that the Platinum product is concentrated, and delivers more of the key grease-fighting, colorless ingredients called “surfactants."

Does vinegar remove stains?

Removes Stains

Vinegar is a great solution. "Especially on white fabrics, vinegar can tackle stubborn stains by being added directly to your laundry or used as part of a pre-treating soaking solution," says Morgan LaLonde, laundry brand manager for Whirlpool.

What is the best stain remover?

We tested more than 20 stain removers to see how they fared against a wide variety of both fresh and seriously set-in stains on washable fabrics. Amodex Ink & Stain Remover did the best job overall, and we have five other recommendations to help you fight the good fight.

What is the number one rule of stain removal?

Amongst all the golden rules for stain removal, acting quickly is by far the top of the list. The longer you leave the stain, the harder it will be to remove. As soon as the stain lands, we recommend getting onto it. How quickly and speedily you get to the stain determines how successfully it is removed.

What type of stain is the hardest to remove?

8 Kinds Of Stubborn Stains And How To Remove Them
  • Why are some stains harder to remove? As a homeowner, you may have dealt with tons of stains, some far easier than others. ...
  • Red wine. Red wine spills can quickly turn a celebration into a stain-induced panic. ...
  • Tomato sauce. ...
  • Grease and oil. ...
  • Ink. ...
  • Grass. ...
  • Organic stains. ...
  • Makeup.

What is the common technique for stain removal?

Sponging is one of the most frequently used methods of applying many stain-removing agents, including water. Sponging is another technique in which clean absorbent pads are used.

What is the best homemade stain remover for old stains?

  • Example: 1 cup Blue Dawn and 2 cups hydrogen peroxide OR 1/4 cup Blue Dawn and 1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide. You can use any size bottle to make up any amount of laundry stain remover you need or want.
  • Shake the bottle to mix. Apply to stain.
  • Wait a few minutes. ...
  • Launder the item as usual.

Is hydrogen peroxide or vinegar better for cleaning?

Straight vinegar can be used for most stains, including food, sweat, and set-in stains. Just spray the stain thoroughly right before washing. Or use hydrogen peroxide and water in a 1:1 ratio to soak out stains, including grass and food.

How much Dawn and peroxide does it take to remove stains?

mix one part Dawn dish soap. to 2 parts hydrogen peroxide and agitate. soak the stain in it. a little bit bigger than what the stain is actually. and then put baking soda on top and rub.

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