Removing common stains without ruining the fabric

Most stains come out if you act quickly and gently. Three rules apply to all of them: blot, do not rub; work from the outside of the stain towards the middle; and test any treatment on a hidden seam first.

Oil and food grease

Cover the mark with talcum powder or cornflour and leave it for half an hour to draw the oil out. Brush it off, work in a drop of dishwashing liquid, and rinse with warm water.

Tea and coffee

Rinse from the back of the fabric with cold water as soon as you can. Soak in cool water with a little detergent before a normal wash.

Ink

Place a clean cloth under the stain and dab with a cloth moistened with rubbing alcohol, changing to a clean area as the ink lifts. Rinse and wash.

Make-up

Work a small amount of mild liquid detergent into the mark with your fingertips, leave for a few minutes and rinse.

What to avoid

Hot water and a hot iron can set a stain permanently, so check that it is gone before drying or ironing. For silk, wool and anything labelled dry-clean only, take the piece to a cleaner and tell them what caused the mark.