Sep 13, 2024

How to Remove Stains: The Ultimate Stain Removal Guide

No matter the type of stain, we got you covered - from blood and sweat to food and drink stains. Depending on what is staining your sheets, the action needed may vary and is important to consider in order to properly remove them. Take a look at our recommendations for how to remove any and all kinds of stains. Keep in mind that in addition to treating the specified stain, it is crucial that you ensure a routine wash cycle afterwards to fully remove any remaining blemishes.

Sweat

Sweat stains can appear for various reasons—perhaps your body chemistry produces acidic sweat, influenced by factors like natural body chemistry, diet, salt intake, hydration, exercise, or even exposure to chlorine while swimming. This can lead to yellow-like stains on white fabric that are difficult to remove, leaving your sheets and clothing with that stubborn, unwanted blemish. We highly recommend creating a cool, comfortable environment in your bedroom to prevent night sweats. This can be achieved by setting a cooler room temperature, removing any non-breathable bedding layers (usually made of polyester or microfiber), and considering Egyptian cotton percale sheets, which are cooling and designed for hot sleepers. Remember, you're not alone; sweat stains happen so we've simplified the process of treating it!

Sweat stains can create a yellow coloring in your linens so it’s best to start with a non-chlorine booster like OxiClean® or Borax® and mix with liquid laundry detergent in warm water to activate a paste-like mixture.
Soak the linens in the paste mixture overnight.
Remove from mixture and wash like normal.

Blood

Rinse the stain with cold water only to remove the stain as much as possible.
Blood is a protein so add 1 to 2 teaspoons, depending on the size of the stain, of Dawn Dishwashing Detergent® to break down the stain. Rub and let sit for 10 minutes. Rinse with cold water, do not use warm water as it will set the stain in.
Only do this step if the stain persists, otherwise skip this step. Fill a cotton ball with a small amount of hydrogen peroxide. Lightly dab the stain area only, and allow the cotton ball to soak up the stain.
Wash the item using the normal amount of laundry soap. Use the pre-wash cycle if available. If stain persists, do not dry, instead repeat the above steps.

Coffee / Wine

These heavy drinks should be taken care of immediately as letting them set in can cause irreversible damage. Use cold water and wipe off any excess to avoid it spreading to other parts of the sheets.
Use Dawn Dishwashing Detergent® or create a paste with a non-chlorine booster like OxiClean® or Borax® and mix with liquid laundry detergent in warm water. Let the item soak in the mixture or detergent.
Once removed from the mixture, wash as normal. Avoid washing with other items so the coffee or wine does not transfer.

Makeup

Depending on the type of makeup stain, the approach may differ, however it’s a good idea to try using a makeup wipe or remover first to see if that helps remove a good portion of the stain.
For foundation and concealer stains, apply a small amount of dish soap or detergent directly on the stain. Rub the stained fabric together to evenly distribute and work the soap into the stain. Rinse with cold water and wash like normal in warm water with mild detergent. For oil-based stains, use a bit of white vinegar for an extra boost.
For lipgloss and lipstick stains, scrape off any excess that you can. Use a dish soap that is meant to fight grease and rub into the fabric. Rinse with cold water and wash like normal.
For mascara and eyeliner stains, dab with a paper towel to remove any excess. Use a few drops of makeup remover or dish soap to rub gently in the stain. Rinse with cold water and wash like normal.
For powder based makeup stains, remove loose powder by shaking the sheet into the sink or tub. Apply a mixture of water and detergent to the stain and rinse with cold water. Wash like normal.
For nail polish stains, blot with a paper towel without spreading the polish. Apply some acetone-free nail polish remover to the stain with a cotton ball or cotton pad. Rinse it off with cold water and repeat as necessary. Wash like normal.
Tip: Avoid aggressively rubbing these types of stains into the sheets as this can damage the fibers in the fabric and ruin the sheets. If the stains are very tough to remove, repeat the process and wash like normal in the washer until clean. Do not dry or use direct heat until the sheets are fully clean as heat can set the cosmetic stains in the sheets more permanently.

Urine

Blot the area with a clean cloth or paper towel to absorb any excess. Avoid rubbing the stain as this can spread it making it harder to remove.
Rinse the stained area with cold water to dilute the urine. If the stain is older, mix equal parts white vinegar and cold water and apply it to the stain. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes to let the vinegar break it down as much as possible.
Apply some baking soda over the stain and let that sit for another 15-30 minutes to help absorb any moisture and help remove odor.
Throw the sheets in the wash in warm water with mild detergent. Add a cup of vinegar for an extra boost to remove the stain. Do not use bleach as it can worsen the urine stain.
Air dry or dry on low and remove from the dryer while slightly damp to allow it to fully dry on its own. This will help remove any and all odor and brighten the fabric.

Grease & Oil / Body Care

Immediately rinse the stain with cold water to remove as much as possible. (Note that oil and water do not mix very well, so this step is just to wash away any excess residue that may be sitting on top of the stain.)
Saturate the oil stain with 1 or 2 teaspoons (depending on the stain’s size) of a mild, liquid, and biodegradable detergent. Rub it into the oil stain and let it sit for 10-15 minutes, then rinse with cold water.
Add a touch of baking soda or baby powder directly on top and let it sit for a few minutes to allow the powder to soak up any grease.
If the stain persists, use 1 to 2 teaspoons (depending on the stain’s size) of Dawn Dishwashing Detergent®. Rub into the stain and let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes. This won't damage or stain the fabric blue; it works to break down the grease further. Rinse with cold water, repeating this step twice if the stain persists.
Follow with a proper wash in the washer as you normally would.

pure parima how to remove a grease stain

Food / Drink

For heavy liquids like sauces and condiments, blot the stain with a paper towel as soon as possible to absorb the excess liquid. Apply a small amount of dish soap or stain remover directly to the stain and let it sit for about 10-15 minutes. Wash in warm water with mild detergent and repeat if the stain is still visible.
For greasy foods like oil and butter, blot with a paper towel and sprinkle some baking soda over the stain. Let it sit for 15-30 minutes. This will help absorb the grease before treating it. Wash in warm water with mild detergent.
For curry stains, mix equal parts dishwashing detergent with white vinegar and add some cold water. Apply the mixture to the stain with a clean cloth or sponge until the entire stain is gone.
For chocolate stains, scrape off as much as you can with a spoon. Create a mixture of liquid detergent and cold water to rub into the fabric to help break up the stain. Soak it in cold water for 30 minutes. Follow with a routine wash in warm water with mild detergent.
For soda or juice stains, blot the excess liquid with a paper towel. Rinse with cold water from the back of the sheet. Use vinegar and dish soap to rub over the stain. This helps break down the sugar. Wash in warm water with mild detergent per usual.

Dirt

Remove any excess dirt that you can by shaking the sheet first. Avoid rubbing as this may push the dirt deeper into the fabric.
Apply a small amount of detergent onto the stain and rub gently into the fabric to remove as much of the dirt as possible. If the stain is still not coming out, mix some water and baking soda to apply to the stain and let it sit for 10-15 minutes. Follow with a rinse.
Soak the sheets in a basin filled with warm water for about 30 minutes to an hour. Wash the sheets like normal in warm water and mild detergent.
Avoid drying the sheets until the dirt stain is completely removed as heat can set the dirt stain permanently. Dry on low or hang to dry to avoid shrinkage or damage.

Hard Water

Appearing as discolored, dull spots or stiff fabric, hard water stains can be due to wash cycles and mineral deposits.

Start by creating a mixture of equal parts white vinegar and water. Apply directly on the stain and let sit for 30 minutes. This will help break down the stain.
Mix baking soda and water to create a paste and gently rub on the stain. Let this sit for 15-20 minutes.
Soak the sheets in a basin filled with warm water and a cup of white vinegar for about an hour. Wash in warm water and use mild detergent. Use the hottest water recommended for your sheets as this will help dissolve the minerals and soften the fabric.
Add a half a cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle. Avoid softeners with this stain as this can set the stain in further making it harder to remove.
Wash your sheets regularly and properly to prevent hard water stains from occurring.

pure parima how to remove hard water stains

Bleach

Because bleach removes the dye from the fabric, it is unfortunately impossible to completely remove a bleach stain as it becomes permanently damaged. That being said, there are a few ways to help alter the appearance of bleach stained fabric.

Rinse the stain with cold water to pause the process of bleach staining. Mix a tablespoon of baking soda and water together to create a paste and apply it to the bleach stain.
Re-dyeing the sheets can help restore the appearance to create a uniform color. Alternatively, you can treat small stains with a fabric marker that matches the color of the sheets.
The best way to attack bleach stains is by preventing it from occurring. Use non-chlorine bleach for a more gentle wash. Prevent spills with cleaning products and other bleach-infused products.

Deodorant Stains

Similar to sweat stains, deodorant stains can lead to a yellowish discoloration which can be difficult and annoying to remove.

Pre-treat the stain with white vinegar and let it sit for 30 minutes. Create a paste with baking soda and water to help remove hard stains. Let it sit for 15-30 minutes before rinsing.
For lighter colored sheets, apply a small amount of hydrogen peroxide to the stain and let it sit for 30 minutes and rinse.
Soak the sheets in lemon juice with warm water for 30 minutes to an hour. Dissolve four tablespoons of salt in some warm water and soak the sheets for 30 minutes. Acidity from the lemon juice will lift the stain and salt helps to break down the chemicals used in deodorant.
Wash with laundry detergent that consists of enzymes to break down the oils and chemicals in the deodorant. Wash in the hottest water recommended by your sheets to help dissolve the residue.
If the stain still persists, consider adding some white vinegar or baking soda to the wash to help break it down. Repeat the process before drying as heat will only strengthen the stain.
Dry on low or air dry for the best results. Using high heat will set the stains in further permanently damaging the sheets.

pure parima how to remove deodorant stains

Grass Stains

Apply some rubbing alcohol on the grass stain and dab gently to remove as much as possible without spreading it. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes. Alternatively you can use liquid dish soap or laundry detergent instead of rubbing alcohol.
Soak the sheets in an enzyme-based stain remover or detergent to help to break down the grass stains. Let it sit for 15-30 minutes before rinsing.
Mix white vinegar and cold water in a basin and soak the sheets in the mixture for 30 minutes to an hour. Rinse with cold water to flush out any excess or remaining pigment.
Wash with mild detergent and warm water. Avoid harsh bleach and opt for an oxygen bleach to remove the stain more gently.
Repeat the process before drying if the stain still persists. Air dry or dry on low to prevent any further damage.

Carpet or Rug Stains

If the rug is small enough, check the label to see if it can be washed in the washer.
Always pre-treat stains by blotting any excess spills with a cloth or paper towel.
Never let the stain dry, start removing it as soon as it begins and do not rub as this can push the stain deeper into the carpet.
For dried stains or hard to remove stains, apply an enzyme-based cleaner which will help break down proteins in common dried stains such as blood, vomit or urine. Follow up dish soap and warm water.
For oil based stains, make a soap mixture of Dawn Dish Soap and warm water, rub into stain and let sit for a few minutes. Take a clean paper towel and start slowly rubbing the stain, do not rub larger than the stain, which would cause it to increase in size.
Using a clean cloth, gently blot the stained area, starting from the outer edges and moving inward. Avoid rubbing, as this may cause the stain to spread. Repeat the process until the stain is fully lifted. For tougher stains, create the one-step carpet stain remover hack described below:
Ingredients:

1/2 cup warm water
1 drop of Dawn dish soap
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup hydrogen peroxide (or vinegar for darker carpets)

Blot the area with the mixture to remove the tough stain and dry with a clean paper towel. Weigh a clean paper towel down over the area with a heavy object to allow it to absorb the remaining moisture.