When a spill happens, fast action helps — blot gently instead of rubbing, avoid hot water on protein stains, and test anything on a hidden corner first. Here’s how to treat 100 common stains using simple, natural ingredients you already have.
1️⃣ Coffee stains ☕
Blot with a warm water + vinegar mix to break down the brown tannins. Dab gently to avoid spreading. Rinse and wash as usual.
2️⃣ Grass stains 🌱
Toothpaste + vinegar helps dissolve chlorophyll pigments. Scrub lightly, rinse, then launder to fully remove the green tint.
3️⃣ Mascara stains 👁️
Dish soap and warm water cut through waxy and oily components. Dab gently until the black smudge lifts.
4️⃣ Turmeric stains 🌞
Apply a baking soda paste and place under sunlight to naturally bleach the stain. The sun boosts the bright yellow removal power.
5️⃣ Chewing gum 🍬
Freeze using ice cubes until the gum hardens. Peel off slowly and wash away leftover residue.
6️⃣ Ink stains 🖊️
Blot with rubbing alcohol to pull dye from fibers. Work from the outside in to prevent spreading the mark.
7️⃣ Slime stains 🟣
Soak the fabric in vinegar to dissolve the sticky glue base. Rinse with cool water before washing.
8️⃣ Foundation makeup stains ✨
Dish soap in cold water cuts through oily pigments. Gently scrub until the makeup breaks down.
9️⃣ Pomegranate stains 🍎
Lemon + salt helps break bright red tannins. Dry in sunlight for natural bleaching before washing.
🔟 Sweat stains 🥵
Mix lemon juice and baking soda into a paste to reduce yellowing. Let sit for 10–15 mins, then wash.
11️⃣ Grass stains on shoes 👟🌱
A vinegar solution works great on rubber and fabric shoe parts. Scrub lightly with a small brush.
12️⃣ Tomato sauce stains 🍝
Apply ice first to prevent the stain from setting. Follow with dish soap to remove the oily red residue.
13️⃣ Marker stains 🖍️
White toothpaste helps lift dye pigments from fabric. Scrub gently and rinse clean.
14️⃣ Tea stains 🍵
Rub lemon juice directly onto the stain — the acid breaks tannins. Rinse with warm water afterward.
15️⃣ Oil & grease stains 🍔
Sprinkle baking soda or cornstarch to absorb fresh oil. Brush away then wash with warm soapy water.
16️⃣ Milk stains 🥛
Use a baking soda paste to neutralize sour odors and protein stains. Cool rinse first to avoid curdling into fibers.
17️⃣ Perfume stains 🌸
Rubbing alcohol helps break down fragrance oils. Dab gently without rubbing too much.
18️⃣ Fridge spills 🧊
A baking soda paste absorbs both odors and sticky residue. Scrub lightly and wipe clean.
19️⃣ Ketchup stains 🍅
Soak in cold water with dish soap to loosen the red stain. Scrub gently before washing.
20️⃣ Pillow sweat stains 😴
Vinegar rinse helps break down sweat salts and oils. Dry in sunlight to naturally whiten the fabric.
21️⃣ Ice cream stains 🍦
Enzyme detergent helps break down dairy fats and sugars. Pre-treat in warm water before a full wash.
22️⃣ Rust stains 🧲
Sprinkle salt and squeeze lemon juice over the rust mark. Sunlight boosts the reaction to lift orange discoloration.
23️⃣ Soot stains 🪵
Dust cornstarch on the surface first — rubbing spreads soot deeper. Vacuum the powder before gently cleaning with soap.
24️⃣ Deodorant buildup 👕
Soak fabrics in vinegar to dissolve white residue. Lightly scrub and rinse before machine washing.
25️⃣ Microwave splatters 🔥
Steam a bowl of hot lemon water inside for a few minutes. The vapors loosen dried food so you can wipe clean effortlessly.
26️⃣ Wine stains 🍷
Blot fresh spills with salt to absorb liquid. Follow with soda water to lift the deep purple tannins.
27️⃣ Baby poop stains 👶
Rinse in cold water, then let sunlight bleach the stain naturally. Sun works like a gentle disinfectant too.
28️⃣ Candle wax stains 🕯️
Place a paper towel over hardened wax and iron on low heat. It melts and transfers onto the paper — then wash.
29️⃣ Charcoal smudges ⚫
Brush off as much as possible before adding moisture. Then clean with mild soap to remove dark dust.
30️⃣ Scorch marks 🔥
A little hydrogen peroxide plus sunlight can gently lighten mild scorch discoloration. Works best on whites.
31️⃣ Food coloring stains 🎨
Lemon + baking soda helps neutralize artificial dyes. Scrub lightly until color starts lifting.
32️⃣ Salad dressing stains 🥗
Cornstarch absorbs oil from vinaigrettes. After removing grease, wash with warm soapy water.
33️⃣ Hard water stains 🚿
Soak the area in vinegar to dissolve mineral deposits. Wipe clean after a few minutes of soaking.
34️⃣ Berry stains 🫐
Pour boiling water through fabric from a height to push pigments out. Works best before the stain dries.
35️⃣ Shoe scuffs 👟
A damp cloth with a tiny bit of baking soda helps polish away light marks. Buff dry for a clean finish.
36️⃣ Bottle milk stains 🍼
Soak in vinegar to cut sour milk residues and odors. Rinse well before washing.
37️⃣ Tough grass stains (shoes or heavy fabric) 🌿
Soak in vinegar to loosen chlorophyll. Scrub gently before tossing in the wash.
38️⃣ Upholstery grease stains 🛋️
Cornstarch absorbs oily spots without damaging fabric. Vacuum well afterward.
39️⃣ Marker on kids’ clothes 🧒
Toothpaste can lift dye marks from cotton. Scrub carefully and rinse thoroughly.
40️⃣ Plastic container stains 🍱
Leave containers in direct sunlight — UV helps fade tomato or curry stains. Wash after sun treatment for best results.
41️⃣ Ballpoint pen ink 🖊️
Soak the stained area in rubbing alcohol to lift the dye. Blot gently so the ink transfers out instead of spreading.
42️⃣ Syrup stains 🍯
Warm soapy water helps dissolve sticky sugar residue. Soak a few minutes before rubbing to fully remove.
43️⃣ Pet urine stains 🐶
Spray vinegar first to neutralize ammonia smell. Sprinkle baking soda to deodorize, then vacuum once dry.
44️⃣ Fruit stains 🍓
Rub fresh stains with lemon + salt to break down pigments. Wash immediately to prevent setting.
45️⃣ Floor scuffs 🏠
A dab of baking soda on a damp cloth buffed gently removes rubbery marks. Wipe clean and dry afterward.
46️⃣ Mustard stains 🌭
A paste of baking soda + vinegar helps loosen strong yellow dyes. Let it fizz for a few minutes before rinsing.
47️⃣ Cutting board stains 🔪
Scrub with lemon and coarse salt — both clean and deodorize. Rinse well and dry in sunlight for stain-free boards.
48️⃣ Soy sauce stains 🍜
Dish soap + a little peroxide can lift dark salty stains on light-colored fabrics. Blot and rinse gently.
49️⃣ Mold marks 🦠
Spray vinegar to kill growth and lighten marks. Dry under sunlight to prevent return.
50️⃣ Pet vomit stains 🐱🤢
Use enzyme detergent to break down proteins and odors. Sun drying helps eliminate lingering smell.
51️⃣ Diesel/Fuel smells 🚛
Vinegar soak helps neutralize harsh fuel odors on clothes. Wash separately to avoid spreading smell.
52️⃣ Lip balm stains 💋
Cornstarch absorbs greasy buildup before washing. Brush off excess powder and treat with warm soapy water.
53️⃣ Baby food stains 🧑🍼
Make a quick baking soda paste for stubborn puree spots. Rinse with cold water first to avoid setting.
54️⃣ Detergent residue 🧺
A vinegar rinse removes chalky buildup from excess detergent. It also softens fabric naturally.
55️⃣ Lipstick stains 💄
Coconut oil + baking soda helps dissolve waxy and oily pigments. Massage gently until color lifts, then wash. ⚠️ Tip: Test on a hidden area first — coconut oil can leave oily marks on some fabrics, so follow with detergent. Rubbing Alcohol / Hand Sanitizer are great for pigmented or matte lipstick. Dab alcohol onto a cotton ball. Follow by with detergent.
56️⃣ Hair oil stains 💆♀️
Sprinkle cornstarch to absorb excess oil before washing. Let it sit, brush off, then launder as usual.
57️⃣ Dirt stains 🌍
A vinegar-damp cloth helps lift soil particles. Repeat until fabric looks bright again.
58️⃣ Water rings 💧
Steam softens the watermark, then brush fibers lightly to restore finish. Works especially well on upholstery.
59️⃣ Chocolate stains 🍫
Soak in cold milk to lift cocoa fats. Follow with a normal wash for full removal.
60️⃣ Pickled food stains 🥒
Baking soda softens acidic pickle stains. Add sunlight after treatment for better brightening.
61️⃣ Butter/Ghee stains 🧈
Cornstarch absorbs melted fats well. Let it sit, dust off, then wash with warm soapy water to clear greasy residue.
62️⃣ Plastic limescale stains 🚰
Vinegar helps break down chalky mineral buildup. Scrub lightly and rinse to restore shine.
63️⃣ Curry stains 🍛
Rub yogurt over the stain — lactic acid helps loosen deep yellow pigments. Wash after 10 minutes for best results.
64️⃣ Mango stains 🥭
Vinegar dab helps reduce bright fruit pigments. Rinse and wash before the stain dries fully.
65️⃣ Fresh paint stains 🎨
Wash immediately with warm water + dish soap while still wet. Keep blotting until the paint loosens.
66️⃣ Dried paint stains 🧑🎨
Soak the spot in vinegar to soften hardened paint. Gently scrape without damaging the fabric.
67️⃣ Crayon stains 🖍️
A scrub of baking soda lifts waxy color from fabrics and walls. Wipe away residue when done.
68️⃣ Upholstery soot stains 🛋️
Dust cornstarch first so soot doesn’t smear. Vacuum and then spot-clean carefully with soap.
69️⃣ Pomegranate stains (again) 🍎
Lemon + sunlight helps fade tough red blotches. Reapply if needed for extra whitening.
7️⃣0️⃣ Egg stains 🥚
Rinse with cold water first to avoid cooking the proteins into fibers. Sprinkle salt and scrub lightly.
7️⃣1️⃣ Lotion stains 🧴
Warm water and dish soap dissolve oily lotion marks. Rinse well to avoid a slick residue.
7️⃣2️⃣ Charcoal ash stains 🔥
Brush off powdery ash while dry — water turns it muddy. Then wash with mild soap.
7️⃣3️⃣ Shoe scuff marks 👞
A little baking soda paste buffed in circular motions removes streaks. Wipe clean afterward.
7️⃣4️⃣ Cup tea stains 🫖
Baking soda scrub brightens mugs and cups. It gently polishes away brown tannin rings.
7️⃣5️⃣ Juice stains 🥤
Cold water + vinegar rinse helps stop sugar pigments from setting. Wash soon after for a clean finish.
7️⃣6️⃣ Cold drink/soda stains 🥫
Vinegar and a drop of dish soap help dissolve sticky stains. Rinse and launder as normal.
7️⃣7️⃣ Perfume stains (again) 🌺
Alcohol helps break down perfume oils on delicate fabrics. Dab — don’t rub — to avoid spreading.
7️⃣8️⃣ Old blood stains 🩸
Hydrogen peroxide bubbles lift dried proteins on light fabrics only. Dab, let foam, rinse, and repeat if needed.
7️⃣9️⃣ Tar stains ⚫
Coconut oil softens sticky tar patches. Follow with soap to remove oily leftovers.
80️⃣ Caramel stains 🍬
Warm water loosens sugary caramel so it dissolves. Scrape gently while soft, then wash.
81️⃣ Avocado stains 🥑
Vinegar + baking soda helps dissolve oily green residues. Let it bubble for a few minutes before washing.
82️⃣ Salty sweat stains on hats 🧢
Brush vinegar onto the white crusty lines. It dissolves salt deposits and restores color.
83️⃣ Face serum stains ✨
A vinegar wipe breaks down oils and active ingredients that discolor fabric. Rinse thoroughly afterward.
84️⃣ Lip tint stains 💋🎨
Coconut oil helps loosen strong pigments first. Follow with soap to completely remove the rosy tint.
85️⃣ Marker on hard surfaces ✍️
Baking soda paste works like a gentle scrub to remove ink without scratching. Wipe clean after lifting the stain.
86️⃣ Tan lotion stains 🌞
Baking soda scrub lifts bronzer and self-tan pigments. Rinse until the orange tint lightens.
87️⃣ Turmeric on cutting boards 🟡🔪
Rub lemon and place in sunlight — UV helps fade the yellow fast. Repeat if deeper stains remain.
88️⃣ Kitchen towel stains 🍽️
Vinegar soak removes grease and food residue. Sun bleaching brightens dull towels naturally.
89️⃣ Toilet bowl stains 🚽
Baking soda + vinegar fizz loosens mineral and grime buildup. Scrub and flush for a refreshed bowl.
90️⃣ Microwave grease stains 🍿
Steam lemon water inside to melt greasy layers. Wipe away easily once softened.
91️⃣ Beer stains 🍺
Vinegar helps remove odor and sticky residue. Blot first, then rinse and wash.
92️⃣ Fuel-affected fabric (again) ⛽
Overnight vinegar soak neutralizes lingering petrol smell. Wash twice if needed for freshness.
93️⃣ Tea rings on counters 🪟
Baking soda + a damp cloth gently buffs away brown rings. Rinse and wipe dry afterward.
94️⃣ Fruit juice drips 🍎
Rinse with cold water first, then dab lemon juice to brighten. Wash while still damp for best results.
95️⃣ Water drips on upholstery 💦
Steam relaxes the ring outline, then brush fibers in one direction. Helps restore the original finish.
96️⃣ Tamarind stains 🍋
Baking soda on a damp cloth lifts the deep brown acidic stain. Wipe and rinse thoroughly.
97️⃣ Yogurt stains 🥣
Rinse with cold water to stop proteins from setting. Treat with soap afterward for a clean finish.
98️⃣ Coconut milk stains 🥥
Warm soapy wash removes the fatty liquid. Repeat if the spot still feels greasy.
99️⃣ Dye transfer stains 🎽
Cold vinegar soak helps loosen excess dye sitting on fibers. Wash separately to prevent more spreading.
100️⃣ Mystery stains 🕵️♀️
A universal hack — baking soda + vinegar paste. If the stain foams and lifts, rinse and treat again until gone.
🌞 Final Tips
Always test on a hidden spot to protect delicate fabrics.
Blot — don’t rub — to avoid making stains larger.
Cold water first for protein-based stains (blood, milk, eggs).
Sunlight is a powerful natural bleacher and disinfectant.