If you’re having trouble getting stains out of the laundry, you’re not alone. Wine, coffee, tomato juice can all leave stubborn residue behind that can ruin your clothes, if left untreated. Below are a few of the best ways to get stains out of your laundry without damaging your clothing in the process.

How to Get Stains Out of Laundry

1. Soak & Wash

If the stain is light in color or from a thin substance—like juice or white wine, soaking it in warm water with stain-lifting detergent should help. Pour a small amount of detergent directly on the stain, then place the clothing item in a sink filled with warm water. Add half a cap of detergent and swish it around to dissolve any residue, then allow the clothing to sit for at least one hour. After an hour, rinse the stain off with more warm water. If the stain is lighter, run it through the wash once to remove the rest of it.

2. Spot-Clean

This method is best for handling a stain as soon as it happens or for treating a stain on a delicate fabric. Dab the stain dry, then soak it in vinegar. Make a thick paste out of baking soda and vinegar and gently rub it onto the stain, then soak that section of the garment in more vinegar. After ten to 15 minutes, rinse the item off with warm water. If the stain looks better, repeat the process, allowing it to set for 20 minutes, then wash it as normal.

3. Try Salt, Vinegar, & Water

For dark or mildew stains, use salt, vinegar, and water. If the stain is fresh and was caused by a liquid, cover it with salt and leave it for 30 minutes to absorb the pigment and moisture. After, rinse it with warm water, make a paste from salt and vinegar, and apply it to the stain. Using a spray bottle, spritz it with a salt, vinegar, and water solution and allow it to set for another ten to 15 minutes. Rinse it with warm water and vinegar, then wash it as normal.

4. Use a Laundry Service 

If none of these tricks work, take the item to a professional laundromat that provides stain removal services. A quality laundromat will have knowledgeable attendants on hand to recommend stain removal approaches. For delicate fabrics, like satin and silk, you may need to bring them to a dry cleaning service.

When you need a high-quality laundromat to fix stained laundry in Englewood or Highlands Ranch, turn to The Wash House Laundromat in Littleton, CO. With advanced, new machines and friendly attendants, their laundry services make cleaning clothes a breeze. Their building is equipped with coffee machines, TVs, free Wi-Fi, and a wash and fold service. Learn about their offerings online, and call (720) 531-2178 to ask about the detergents and stain removers available on-site.