Stains on your favourite clothes & linens are an unavoidable part of a well lived life.  Here we’ve collated some tips and tricks to help you combat some common stains.  There are no guarantees and always remember to try out these methods on inconspicuous areas of your garment first to make sure that there is no discolouration or damage.

Removing Chocolate Stains with Milk

First, remove any excess chocolate by putting the garment in the freezer and then scraping the hardened chocolate off.

Then, run hot water down the back of the chocolate stain to melt it and push it through to the front.

Rub washing up detergent into the stain and then soak the garment in milk for 30 minutes to an hour.

Wash as normal and repeat if necessary.

Removing Berry Stains with Lemon Juice

Wash the berry stain as normal and leave it out in direct sunlight for some time to benefit from the bleaching effect of the sun’s rays.

If it’s a tough stain, rub lemon juice over the top, or lay a slice of lemon on the stain.

Rinse, dry and repeat if necessary.

Removing Tomato Stains with Vinegar

Soak the tomato stain for 30 minutes in neat white vinegar (1 to 2 tbsp).

Rinse, and then rub detergent directly into the stain before washing on a cool cycle.

Repeat as necessary.

Removing Ink Stains with Hairspray

An ink stain can be tricky to remove. Soaking the area in an alcohol-based product, like methylated spirits or hairspray, will be the best solution in this case.

Dab at the stain with an absorbent cloth until it fades.

Then, wash as normal.

Removing Oil Stains with Dishwashing Liquid

Oil and any form of greasy stain can benefit from a squirt of dishwashing liquid or washing detergent applied directly and rubbed in.

Wash on a hot cycle, and repeat if necessary.

Removing Blood Stains with Salt

Time is of the essence with blood stains – the sooner you can treat it, the better the outcome.

Create a paste with salt and cold water.

Rub this paste directly onto the stain, ideally within 10-15 minutes of the stain occurring.

Rinse with cold water (not hot) and repeat as necessary.