How to Get Stains Out of Clothes After They've Been Washed

One of the simple, unavoidable facts of life is that stains happen, no matter how careful we are with our glasses of red wine or simmering pans of spaghetti sauce. Unfortunately, every stain reacts differently to the myriad cleaning methods out there, so success isn't guaranteed on the first try, even if you do everything right from the very moment the blemish occurs. Many people throw in the towel, so to speak, after the garment in question has been put through the washing machine to less than stellar results. There's no need to give up on your favorite tee, though!

Whether your pretreatment failed or you simply didn't notice the stain before tossing it in the wash, there are plenty of ways to eliminate pesky blemishes. In fact, almost all stains will come out with some extra elbow grease (pun intended). So here's how to get stains out of clothes after they've been washed.

Contents

How to Remove Stain From Clothes: 8 Methods
Loose the Stain With Liquid Glycerin
Why You Should Avoid Putting Stained Clothes in the Dryer
Cold or Hot Water: What's Better for Stain Removal?
What to Do When You First Stain Your Clothes

How to Remove Stain From Clothes: 8 Methods

There are many different ways to get rid of a stain after it's been through the wash cycle. Here are eight to try:

1. Use Liquid Soap

My go-to stain removal technique is appallingly easy. Just rub a little bit of liquid laundry detergent directly onto the stain, let it soak in and then run it through the washer again. Some experts swear by liquid dishwashing detergent used in the same fashion. Hey, it's all soap, right?

2. Try a Stain-removal Spray

Stain-removal sprays and sticks have come a long way in recent years. A squirt or two of the good stuff usually does the trick. Just make sure you follow the given directions or it won't be as effective.

3. Rub White Chalk Into the Stain

For grease marks caused by substances like salad dressing or cooking oils, simply rub a stick of white chalk into the stain to absorb the offending spot and then run it through the washer again.

4. Add Baking Soda to Your Wash Cycle

Adding baking soda to the wash and then running the garment through again is another effective method for getting rid of oil or grease stains.

5. Opt for Corn Starch

If that annoying oil stain still hasn't budged, consider rubbing some corn starch directly into it and washing it yet again.

6. Bust Out the Acetone

Occasionally, kids or crafty adults get a little overzealous with glue sticks — and their clothes pay the price. Unfortunately, glue can leave a stain even after you peel or scrape off the substance. Acetone, an ingredient in nail polish remover, is generally very effective at getting glue-based blemishes out of clothes. Make sure the fabric you're treating is colorfast and machine washable, though, since acetone can cause the fabric to become further discolored.

7. Bleach it

Bleach is very harsh and often less effective than most stain-removal aids, so try to avoid using it when possible. If you feel like it's your only option, though, start with diluted oxygen bleach and move on to chlorine bleach if necessary.

8. Loose the Stain With Liquid Glycerin

Really old, stubborn stains sometimes respond best to liquid glycerin. Rub it in, let it soak and then launder again.

Why You Should Avoid Putting Stained Clothes in the Dryer

Whatever you do, try to avoid putting stained items in the dryer because the heat often causes the discoloration to set permanently. When you dry clothes in the dryer, the high temperature causes the stain to bond more tightly to the fabric fibers, essentially locking it in.

Even if the stain isn’t fully visible when you place the item in the dryer, heat can cause it to become more noticeable. Moreover, some stains may require specific treatment or a cooler drying method to lift them, and using the dryer prematurely can reduce the effectiveness of stain-removal methods. To give yourself the best chance of successfully removing stains, treat them before washing, and air-dry the garments if you're unsure the stain is fully gone.

Cold or Hot Water: What's Better for Stain Removal?

Is it better to wash stained clothes in cold water or hot hater? The answer depends on the stain. Some do better with cold. Others need hot water. And still, a third group needs both.

Cold water: Use cold water for toothpaste and blood.
Hot water: Use hot water for grass, oil, lipstick and grease.
Both: Use cold then hot water for red wine, sweat, berries, coffee, baby food, chocolate, tomato and mud.

What to Do When You First Stain Your Clothes

Before you even get to the washer, there are things you can do to lift a stain.

Blot but don’t rub: Gently blot the stain with a clean cloth or paper towel to absorb excess liquid or residue. Avoid rubbing, as this can push the stain deeper into the fabric.

Identify the stain type: Determine the type of stain (e.g., food, oil, ink, blood) to select the appropriate treatment method. Different stains require different treatments.

Flush with cold water: Rinse the stained area under cold running water as soon as possible. For many stains, cold water can help remove the stain before it sets, especially for protein-based stains like blood.

Pre-treat the stain: Apply a stain remover, laundry detergent, or a solution of vinegar or baking soda to the affected area. Let it sit for a few minutes, but don’t let it dry.

Check care labels: Before further treatment or washing, always check the fabric care label for any special instructions regarding water temperature or cleaning methods.

This article was updated in conjunction with AI technology, then fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.

Oil Stains In Clothing FAQ

What home remedy removes oil from clothes?

Start by blotting the stain as soon as possible after getting oil or grease on the clothing. Next, use dish soap (adding some baking soda if the stain is especially stubborn). Agitate the stain with a soft toothbrush or sponge. Allow it to sit for 30 minutes, then rinse the clothing before putting it in the washing machine on a regular cycle.

Can you remove oil stains from clothes after they have been laundered?

Yes, you should be able to. Soak the item of clothing in warm water, then apply a few drops of dish soap on the stain. Hold the material around the stain and start rubbing the sides against each other to work up a lather. This will help the fabric absorb the soap. Let it sit for about an hour or so before putting it through the washing machine. Make sure to air-dry the item to avoid setting any remaining oil. Repeat as necessary.

Are baking soda and vinegar helpful in removing oil stains?

Yes, they are. Douse the stain with white vinegar, then apply a paste made of equal parts baking soda and vinegar. If this doesn't work, immerse the item overnight in a bucket of water containing a few tablespoons of detergent and vinegar. Rinse and wash the following morning.

Lots More Information

Sources

Keenan, Alene. "The Science of Laundry Onboard." The Triton. April 6, 2012. (April 22, 2012) http://thetriton.com/column/2012/04/science-laundry-onboard
Martha Stewart. "How to Wash and Remove Stains." 2012. (April 22, 2012) http://www.marthastewart.com/275491/how-to-wash-and-remove-stains/@center/277000/homekeeping-solutions#/166477
Martha Stewart. "Lipstick Stains." 2012. (April 22, 2012) http://www.marthastewart.com/270277/lipstick-stains
McNatt, Cindy. "Be green in your spring cleaning at home." The Orange County Register. March 16, 2012. (April 22, 2012) http://www.ocregister.com/articles/clean-344975-cleaning-soda.html
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Shea, Courtney. "How to get rid of stubborn stains." The Globe and Mail. April 9, 2012. (April 22, 2012) http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/home-and-garden/spring-cleaning/how-to-get-rid-of-stubborn-stains/article2387439/?utm_medium=Feeds%3A%20RSS%2FAtom&utm_source=Life&utm_content=2387439
The Washington Post. "Hints From Heloise: Glue gives instant stains." April 1, 2012. (April 22, 2012) http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/hints-from-heloise-glue-gives-instant-stains/2012/03/20/gIQABT1XpS_story.html