The ideal stain remover would be easy to use, would eliminate all stains completely and would be safe to use on any fabric. Unfortunately, no such miracle product exists -- and due to the nature of stains, it's unlikely that any ever will. Stains fall into several different categories, including protein stains (such as blood, egg or milk), tannin stains (including fruit juice, tomato and coffee), dye stains (which include berry, grass and mustard) and greasy stains. Moreover, some stains fall into more than one category. Lipstick and crayon, for example, have both a dye component and an oily or waxy component, which makes these stains particularly tough to tackle.

This doesn't mean that some stains are simply impossible (although this can be the case for stains that have had a long time to set.) Rather, stain removal needs to be approached methodically. The keys to removing a stain successfully are:

  • Identify the stain. Figure out which of the four broad categories the stain falls into. You need to know which type of stain you are dealing with to select an appropriate product.
  • Treat the stain as soon as possible. If you do not have any stain removal products nearby, use cool water to keep the stain wet.
  • Use the right product for the job. Some stain removers are intended for clothing, others for rugs and upholstery. A few versatile products can turn their hand to both applications, but they need to be mixed up in different ways depending on the job they're doing.
  • Take extra care with dye stains. In our tests, two stains that stumped nearly every product were mustard and lipstick, both of which have a dye component. Consult a stain-removal guide, like those listed in our Useful Links section, for advice on how to handle these.
  • Follow the directions for each product. Some products can damage fabric if they are left on too long. Others must not be used on certain types of fabrics.
  • Don't put too much faith in instant stain removers. No instant stain remover is effective against every type of stain. If the stain has had even a minute to set, the products may not work at all. Treating and laundering the item promptly, if possible, is a more reliable approach. However, when that is not an option, instant stain removers may be able to salvage a garment. Be forewarned, though: these products may leave a wet spot that is as embarrassing as the original stain.

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