General Things to Remember

• If the item is dry-clean only, you should take the garment to a reputable dry cleaning store, if possible. Otherwise, take care of the spill immediately by blotting (never rubbing) with a clean light-colored cloth, and put a clean rag underneath the surface you are treating to avoid spreading the stain below. Don't use terry-cloth towels or dark-colored cloths when blotting stains, as lint and dark colors can make the problem worse. Avoid heat, such as hot water, the clothes dryer or an iron, because heat can set the stains permanently.
  
  

Food Stains

• For red wine and tomato juice/sauce, sponge or soak the spot in cool water, pretreat with stain remover or liquid laundry detergent, then launder normally with a fabric-safe bleach. For chocolate and gravy, pretreat or prewash the stain in warm water with a product containing enzymes, such as Zout or Finazzle, and let it sit for 30 minutes, then wash with a color-safe bleach. Don't dry if any stain remains after washing, and treat/wash the item again first. For olive oil, use a prewash stain remover, then wash using the hottest water setting safe for the fabric, and again, don't dry until stain is gone. For mustard, pretreat with stain remover, then launder with chlorine bleach, if safe for the fabric, or a color-safe bleach.
  
  

Cosmetic Stains

• For lipstick, sponge using cool water, use a stain remover, then launder normally with bleach or color-safe bleach, depending upon the fabric. Nail polish is one of the most difficult stains to remove, but you can try placing the stain face down on several layers of clean paper towels and apply a stain remover to the back of the stain replacing the towels as the stain lifts, then rinse and launder (note: don't use this technique on acetate or triacetate fabric).
  
  

Miscellaneous Stains

• For stains from a water-based paint, rinse the fabric in warm water while stains are wet, and then launder normally; with dried paint, you'll probably need to take the garment to a dry cleaner. For oil-based paint stains, use a thinner if the label on the paint can recommends it. Otherwise, try turpentine, then rinse, prewash with a stain remover, bar soap or laundry detergent, and launder. For candle wax, use a dull knife to scrape off as much as you can and then with any remainder, place the stained area between paper towels and press with a warm iron (this is one of the few times heat is recommended with stain removal). For blood, try hydrogen peroxide or an enzyme cleaner.