Stain Removal Hacks: How to Clean Food Off Your Clothes

Red wine

Top tip: keep the stain wet. The drier the stain, the harder it will be to remove. If you do have a dry stain you want to clean, pour hot water over the affected area first, before setting to work.

Method one: Dilute and blot

Probably the most tried and tested method of stain removal. Simply flush with water, blot or dab with a tea towel (do not wipe or rub, this will only make it worse), and repeat.

And repeat. And repeat.

Method two: soda water

Essentially the same method as one, only this time use soda water rather than normal water.

Method three: salt

If the stain is fresh, whip off the item of clothing in question, lay on a flat surface and coat in a thick layer of table salt.

After about an hour, the salt should have absorbed the wine and can be brushed right of.

Method four: soak in milk

Yes, really. Leave in soak for at least 60 minutes, longer depending on the size of the stain.

Coffee

Method one: soak in vinegar

Soak the affected area in water and vinegar (equal parts of each) before putting into the washing machine. If the stain is small, blotting the area with undiluted vinegar should help lift it out.

Method two: blot with cold water

If the coffee has spilled onto delicate fabrics such as salt or wool, use cold water only to dab the stain before washing.

Chocolate

Top tip: never use hot water on a chocolate stain unless you want it to become a permanent fixture.

Method one: use soap/detergent

Before doing anything, remove any excess chocolate with a spoon or knife being careful not to spread it further. Then, rub detergent or soap into the stain until it begins to loosen. Rinse and repeat until the stain disappears.

Tomato sauce

Top tip: always pour water on the stain from the back, to flush it out the same direction it came from.

Method one: move quickly

Catch ketchup quickly enough and you should be able to remove the stain with a good dabbing technique and a touch of warm water.

Method two: add a little lemon

Dab the stain straight away with cold water then, rub a slice of lemon or dab lemon juice over the area. Flush with cold water, dab dry and repeat.

Method three: use powdered detergents and a little bit of sunlight

Make a coarse paste with some cold water and powdered detergent and apply to the stain before washing as usual. Instead of tumble drying, hang outside and let the sun work its magic.

Curry

Method one: add a little lemon

Dab lemon juice onto the stain, leave overnight and then wash as normal.

Method two: add a little toothpaste

Cover the affected area with toothpaste and leave for a couple of hours before rinsing off and washing as normal.

Soy sauce

Method one: pre-soak

Add detergent to some warm water and leave the stain to soak for at least 30 minutes. If it still remains after soaking, apply a stain remover spray to the garment before washing as normal.

Method two: apply a bleaching agent

This should only be done if the clothing you're treating is white. Apply a small amount to a cloth or sponge and blot onto the stained area carefully. Then wash as normal.

Ice cream

Top tip: never apply warm water to ice cream stains as this can only make them harder to remove.

Method one: soak in cold water

Place the garment in some cold water using a sponge to gently blot the stain then place in the washing machine on a cold cycle.