How-To Guide
How to Remove Common Laundry Stains: Complete Guide
January 2026 7 min read
From morning coffee spills to grass stains from weekend activities, stains happen. The good news? Most stains can be removed if you treat them correctly — whether at home or at our self-service laundromat. Here's your complete guide to tackling the most common laundry stains.
Golden Rule: Always treat stains as soon as possible. The longer a stain sits, the harder it is to remove.
Stain Removal by Type
Coffee & Tea Stains
- 1
Rinse immediately with cold water from the back of the stain
- 2
Apply liquid dish soap or laundry detergent directly to stain
- 3
Rub gently and let sit for 5 minutes
- 4
Wash in the warmest water safe for the fabric
Pro Tip: For old coffee stains, soak in a mixture of water, dish soap, and white vinegar for 15 minutes before washing.
Red Wine Stains
- 1
Blot (don't rub) immediately with a clean cloth
- 2
Cover the stain with salt to absorb the wine
- 3
Pour boiling water through the stain from about 8 inches above
- 4
Apply dish soap and hydrogen peroxide mixture, let sit 20 minutes
- 5
Wash as normal
Pro Tip: The key is acting fast - dried red wine stains are much harder to remove.
Grass Stains
- 1
Pre-treat with liquid laundry detergent or dish soap
- 2
Let sit for 15-30 minutes
- 3
For stubborn stains, apply white vinegar and let sit another 15 minutes
- 4
Wash in the hottest water safe for the fabric
Pro Tip: Don't use hot water before pre-treating - it can set grass stains permanently.
Grease & Oil Stains
- 1
Sprinkle baking soda or cornstarch on the stain to absorb oil
- 2
Let sit for 15-30 minutes, then brush off
- 3
Apply dish soap (Dawn works great) directly to the stain
- 4
Work it in with an old toothbrush
- 5
Wash in the hottest water safe for the fabric
Blood Stains
- 1
Rinse immediately with COLD water (hot water sets blood stains!)
- 2
Apply hydrogen peroxide for white fabrics, or dish soap for colors
- 3
Let sit 10 minutes, then blot
- 4
Wash in cold water
Warning: Never put a stained item in the dryer until the stain is completely removed. Heat will set the stain permanently.
Sweat & Deodorant Stains
- 1
Mix equal parts baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and water
- 2
Apply to the yellowed area and let sit 30 minutes
- 3
Scrub gently with an old toothbrush
- 4
Wash as normal
General Stain Removal Tips
- Blot, don't rub: Rubbing spreads the stain and pushes it deeper
- Work from outside in: This prevents the stain from spreading
- Test first: Test any treatment on a hidden area first
- Check before drying: Make sure stain is gone before using the dryer
When to Seek Professional Help
Some stains are best left to professionals, including:
- Ink stains on delicate fabrics
- Set-in stains that haven't responded to home treatment
- Stains on silk, leather, or "dry clean only" items
Our Surprise location offers dry cleaning services for items that need professional care.
Need Help With Tough Stains?
Our staff at Suds Laundromat can recommend stain treatments and help you choose the right machine. Or skip the hassle entirely and let us handle it with our wash and fold service.