Remember the last time you dropped food or drink onto a new shirt or pants? It probably happened not too long ago. Should you have failed to notice it in the moment, then you likely settled the stain upon washing it later.

Treating stains before washing them offers a higher success rate of removal. This speaks particularly true on whites. Thus, we recommend checking whites, delicates, and other bright apparel for stains after use. If necessary, treat with a stain-fading pen or sheet.

• Avoid vigorously rubbing fresh stains.
• Refrain from dabbing or rubbing with a dark cloth.
• Think twice about washing in hot water: high temperatures can make matters worse.
• Try not to use just any soap for treating stains—favour laundry and dish detergents.
• Put away your bleach products; they’re too abrasive.

Treating Stains the Right Way

Liquid dishwasher detergent can erase the nastiest of stains—even old ones. Simply apply the soap in gentle circular movements, then let set for 10 to 15 minutes in cold water.

Baking soda, corn starch, and white vinegar are also useful substances to keep nearby the laundry room. Like dishwasher deterrent, you need only to apply it to the affected area. For grease stains, white chalk reportedly promises great results, too!

Should you resort to bleach products, mix it into a bowl of cold water and soak the entire article of clothing. Otherwise, you risk discolouring spots on the item and making blotches.

For more advice on ridding your clothes of old stains, check out SheKnows.com. The site details washing steps per stain type (i.e. ink, blood, or protein). Similarly, the CleaningInstitute.org offers a useful chart for matching stains with products and solutions.