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Even in the best-kept homes, accidents are a part of life. Whether it’s a spilled glass of wine or a grazed knee, little mishaps can lead to a whole host of unsightly stains on clothing, carpets and furniture – all of which can be costly to replace.

Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to treat stubborn stains using just a few household ingredients and products. To help you out, we’ve compiled this guide to help you treat four of the most commonly occurring stains. Just keep reading to learn how to treat stains and keep your clothes, carpets and upholstery looking their best.  

Treat bloodstains with table salt 

While minor cuts and grazes are often quick to heal, the stains they leave behind on our clothing can stick around for much longer if left untreated. Time is of the essence when cleaning a bloodstain, as they can become very difficult to remove once dried in, so you’ll need to act quickly and treat the stain while it’s still fresh.

Start by rinsing the stained area of your clothing under the cold tap: you never want to use hot water for this, as the heat can cause the stain to set faster. Then, mix two tablespoons of salt into a bowl of cold water and leave the garment to soak in the solution, before machine-washing it as normal. If the stain is on furniture or upholstery, apply a salt and cold water paste to the affected area and scrub gently to lift out the blood.

Once a bloodstain has dried, it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to treat it at home, as you’ll need powerful enzyme-based cleaning agents for an effective clean. So, when dealing with a stubborn dried-on stain, it’s best to call in the professionals. Laundrapp will collect your dirty items, clean them using professional methods, and then deliver them directly to your door, so you don’t even need to leave the house.

Fight red wine stains with bicarbonate of soda

If you’ve knocked a glass of wine onto your cream carpet or favourite top, you’ll need to move fast to treat the stain before it dries. Blot the area with paper towels to pick up the excess liquid, and try to avoid scrubbing the area, as this will just cause the stain to spread — use gentle dabbing motions, instead. Add some cool water as you blot: the water will dilute the wine, making it easier to pick up.

Once you’ve blotted up as much of the liquid as possible, it’s time to remove any residue before it causes a stain. Contrary to popular belief, adding white wine to the stain won’t make things any better, so leave the wine in the fridge and reach for some bicarbonate of soda instead. Mix three teaspoons of baking powder with a teaspoon of water to form a thick paste, and gently rub it into the stain. Once the mixture has dried, wash your clothing as normal. When cleaning a stain from a carpet, a specialised stain remover will work best: simply follow the manufacturer’s instructions. This oxygen-powered stain remover from Dr. Beckman includes a brush attachment, which will penetrate the fibres of the carpet for a deeper clean. 

Combat unsightly sweat stains with aspirin

Have you ever noticed unsightly yellow stains under the arms of your white shirts? Those stains aren’t actually caused by dried-on sweat: the culprit is actually your deodorant. Many anti-perspirants contain aluminium, which reacts with your sweat and the fabric of your clothing to create a yellow stain. But there’s no need to ditch the deodorant just yet — you should be able to get your shirts looking as good as new by raiding your medicine cabinet.

Aspirin contains salicylic acid, which breaks down the compounds in sweat. So, to make a stain-busting mixture you can use on your shirts, crush up five aspirin pills and add a few teaspoons of water to create a paste. Apply this directly onto the stained area and leave it to work its magic for at least half an hour before washing as normal on a warm — but not hot — cycle. For an even deeper clean, try spritzing a little white vinegar over the area before washing: the acetic acid will help to get your shirts back to dazzling white.

Next time you knock over a glass of wine or notice an unsightly sweat stain lurking on your shirt, there’s no need to fret. Simply remember these clever cleaning methods, and you’ll be ready to treat any spills or stains should an accident happen.

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