Successful stain removal depends on the fiber content of the garment, whether it is washable or dry cleanable only, the type of stain it is, and how long it has been there. Many stain removal guides give advice that is more complicated than necessary. In the stain guides with this site, stains are classified so that most of the stains in the same class can be removed by the methods indicated. There are always circumstances that alter cases, so methods recommended here should be used with some caution. It helps to remove stains quickly, but doing the wrong thing first may lead to permanent staining that cannot be removed.
For a more comprehensive coverage of stains and suggestions for removing them, the Quick & Easy Stain Removal publication is now available as a pdf file. You can download the pdf version, or you can contact ISU Extension Publication Distribution and request a copy from them.
Stain Removal
Clothing Care
Browse other frequently asked textiles and laundry questions on the FAQ page, or in ISU Extension Answer Line's FAQ database.
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