How to Treat the Most Stubborn Food Stains

We're teaming up with our friends at The Laundress to bring you the most useful tips and products for spring cleaning.

Today: From wine to fruit, chocolate to oil, Gwen & Lindsey teach us the specifics of stain removal.

When you love to cook, it's inevitable: things are going to get stained. What you can control, however, is how you handle them—and whether they stick around.

First things first: Identify the stain being treated. Stains can be divided into three main categories: tannin stains, grease/oil stains, and protein/blood stains. Once you’ve identified the type of stain being treated, use the appropriate technique recommended per fabric/material. We've rounded up our stain-fighting strategies below.

Tannin Stains: Most colored stains are tannin stains, including wine, fruit (juices), tomato sauce, chocolate, coffee and tea. 

For cotton, linen, and durable synthetics:

• Apply stain remover directly to the blemished area(s). 
• Pour hot water from a height, or use the pressure from hot taps on the treated area. Allow the item to soak.
• If the stain is not completely gone, repeat process until satisfied. 
• Launder as normal.  

For silk, wool, and delicate synthetics: 

• Apply stain remover directly to the blemished area(s).
• Fill a basin or sink with tepid water and add appropriate detergent/wash. Gently agitate so items will be evenly soaped and wet. 
• Soak for up to 30 minutes -- do not soak silk for longer. 
• Rinse well. Run tepid water through items until rinse water is no longer soapy. Press excess water out of the item.  

Old, Stubborn, and Set-In Stains (and previously dry-cleaned items) 

For cotton, linen, and durable synthetics: 

• Use an oxygen bleaching agent to safely remove dirt, stains, and odors. This is most effective when used with hot/warm water. It's safe for all colors, and is an excellent alternative to chlorine bleach. 

For silk, wool, and delicate synthetics: 

• Apply stain remover directly to the blemished area(s).
• Fill a basin or sink with tepid water and add appropriate detergent/wash. Gently agitate so items will be evenly soaped and wet. 
• Soak for up to 30 minutes -- do not soak silk for longer. 
• Rinse well. Run tepid water through items until rinse water is no longer soapy. Press excess water out of the item. 
• Do not use oxygen bleach when treating silk and wool. 

Oil Stains: Oil or grease-based stains include cooking oils and salad dressing.

For cotton, linen, and durable synthetics: 

• Apply stain remover directly to the blemished area(s). 
• Pour hot water from a height, or use the pressure from hot taps on the treated area. Allow the item to soak.
• If the stain is not completely gone, repeat process until satisfied. 
• Launder as normal. 

For silk, wool, and delicate synthetics: 

• Apply stain remover directly to the blemished area(s).
• Fill a basin or sink with tepid water and add appropriate detergent/wash. Gently agitate so items will be evenly soaped and wet. 
• Soak for up to 30 minutes -- do not soak silk for longer. 
• Rinse well. Run tepid water through items until rinse water is no longer soapy. Press excess water out of the item. 

Blood Stains

• Apply stain remover directly to the blemished area(s). 
• Pour cold water from a height, or use the pressure from cold taps on the treated area, allow the item to soak.
• If the stain is not completely gone, repeat process until satisfied. 
• Launder as normal. 
• Please note: Always use cold water when treating blood stains. Hot or warm water will cause the stain to set. 

 What are your tips for stain removal? Let us know in the comments!

This post was originally published in May 2014.