Getting a stain on your favorite item of clothing can cause immediate panic and you might frantically try anything to treat it. But the last thing you want is to make the stain worse. So, what’s the best course of action? Well, that depends on a few things, like the material of the clothing and the composition of the stain. But, we’ll tell you what you should never, ever do to treat a stain so you can avoid making matters worse.
Rub the Stain
According to Alicia Sokolowski, president and CEO of AspenClean, rubbing stains is always a bad idea. “Scrubbing it can push the stain deeper into the fabric, making it much harder to remove,” she says. “Instead, gently blot the stain with a clean microfiber cloth to lift it without pushing it further into the fabric.”
Forget to Pre-Treat
Pre-treating a stain can mean the difference between saving or throwing out your favorite t-shirt. “Some stains are tougher than others, but using a pre-treatment can help break down and lift the stain more effectively,” explains Kim Romine, fabric care scientist at P&G. She recommends starting by applying a small amount of gentle liquid laundry detergent directly onto the stain until it’s fully covered. “Wait about five minutes to allow the detergent to penetrate the stain,” she says. “Finally, run your item through your regular laundry cycle—this should make it significantly easier for the stain to come off throughout the wash.”
Let the Stain Set In
While it’s frustrating to stop everything you’re doing to treat a stain, waiting too long will only make it harder to remove. “If you spill on or stain any kind of fabric, whether it’s your clothing, couch, or carpet, it’s important to act fast to prevent the stain from setting,” says Romine.
Use Hot Water or Steam
You might think hot water or steam is the best way to remove and sanitize protein-based stains such as blood, egg, dairy products, and more. But it’s actually a bad idea, according to Pete He, PhD, co-founder and chief scientist of the laundry products brand Dirty Labs. “The high temperature from hot water and the dryer can set those protein-based stains and make them more difficult to remove,” he says. “Instead, use a clean towel to wipe off the mess, and immediately treat the leftover stain with spot cleaning, followed by cold water rinsing.”
Still, Romine adds that it’s important to read the garment label and consider the stain type before choosing a water temperature. “You should always launder your garment according to the instructions on the care label,” she says. “From a scientific perspective, using warmer wash temperatures can help in removing most stains. However, it’s important to note that warm water can be damaging to a garment, and it also consumes more energy. For some stains, like blood, washing in warm or hot water can actually set them in more than washing in cold.”
Apply Bleach on Delicate Fabrics
Accidentally spill your drink on your favorite silk cami, cashmere sweater, or leather jacket? Skip the bleach, or you’ll create an entirely new problem. “Bleach can discolor or damage the fabric and make the stain worse,” explains He. “Instead, apply a detergent or stain remover specially designed for delicate fabrics to treat the stains.”
Put Stained Clothes in the Dryer
Did you just wash something with a stain? While you might be tempted to just throw it in the dryer with the rest of the load, it’s crucial to check that the stain is gone first. “When you run stained clothes through a dryer cycle, the heat sets the stains in place, making them much more difficult to remove,” He says. “Clothes should only go in the dryer once the wash cycle has removed the stain.”
So, if the stain didn’t come out, try again. Once the stain is removed, it’s okay to put it in the dryer.