Knowing how to remove stains from clothes is what separates a good laundry shop from a great one. A customer who gets back a shirt with the coffee stain still on it may not come back. A customer whose favorite polo comes back spotless will tell their friends.
This guide covers the basic rules of stain removal, how to treat 10 stains your shop will see every week, and how to set up a simple stain policy that protects your business.
7 rules for removing stains from clothes
- Treat stains as early as possible. Fresh stains come out far more easily than old ones. Check clothes for stains when the customer drops them off, not after the wash.
- Blot, don’t rub. Rubbing pushes the stain deeper into the fabric and spreads it. Blot with a clean white cloth instead.
- Read the care label. Some fabrics, like silk, wool and items marked “dry clean only,” need special handling. When in doubt, ask the customer.
- Test on a hidden spot first. Try any stain treatment on an inside seam before using it on a visible area.
- Start with cold water. Hot water can set protein stains like blood and sweat. Use cold water first unless you know the stain is greasy.
- Pre-treat before washing. Apply liquid detergent directly on the stain, work it in gently and let it sit before washing. Follow the directions on the pack.
- Check before drying. Dryer heat can make a stain permanent. If the stain is still there after washing, treat it again before it goes in the dryer.
Safety reminder: Never mix bleach with ammonia, vinegar or other cleaners. The mix can release dangerous fumes. Use bleach only on whites and colorfast fabrics, and always follow the label.
How to remove 10 common stains from clothes
| Stain | How to treat it | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking oil and grease (ulam, fried food) | Blot off excess oil. Apply a drop of dishwashing liquid like Joy or liquid detergent, work it in, then wash in the warmest water the fabric allows. | Rinsing with only cold water |
| Soy sauce, ketchup and sawsawan | Scrape off excess. Rinse from the back of the fabric with cold water, pre-treat with liquid detergent, then wash. | Hot water before pre-treating |
| Coffee and tea | Rinse with cold water as soon as possible. Pre-treat with liquid detergent and wash. | Letting it dry in |
| Yellow sweat stains (underarm and collar) | Pre-treat with liquid detergent and let it sit longer than usual. For whites, use a color-safe or oxygen-based stain remover as directed. | Chlorine bleach on yellowed areas, which can make them darker |
| Blood | Rinse right away with cold water from the back of the fabric. Pre-treat with liquid detergent, then wash in cold water. | Hot water, which sets the stain |
| Ink | Place a paper towel under the stain. Dab with rubbing alcohol on a cotton ball, then pre-treat with liquid detergent and wash. | Rubbing, which spreads the ink |
| Mud and dirt | Let the mud dry, then brush off as much as you can. Pre-treat with liquid detergent or soak in a detergent solution before washing. | Treating wet mud, which smears it |
| Lipstick and makeup | Blot gently. Apply dishwashing liquid or liquid detergent to break down the oils, then wash. | Rubbing with a wet cloth |
| Grass | Pre-treat with liquid detergent, work it in and let it sit. Wash in the warmest water the fabric allows. | Putting it in the dryer before the stain is gone |
| Chewing gum | Harden the gum with an ice cube, then scrape it off with a dull knife. Pre-treat any leftover residue and wash. | Pulling soft gum, which stretches it into the fabric |
Best P&G products for stain removal in a laundry shop
The right products make stain removal faster and more reliable:
- Liquid detergent for pre-treating. Ariel and Tide liquid detergents can be applied straight onto stains before washing. Sachets make it easy to use just the right amount.
- Powder detergent for heavily soiled loads. Ariel and Tide powder work well for everyday loads with dirt and sweat. Not sure which brand to stock? Read Ariel vs Tide for laundry shops.
- Dishwashing liquid for grease. Joy cuts through oil and grease, which makes it handy for food stains on clothes.
- Fabric conditioner to finish. Downy won’t remove stains, but it leaves clothes soft and fresh-smelling, which customers notice. It also helps fight kulob smell during the rainy season.
Set up a stain policy for your laundry shop
Some stains will not come out, no matter what you do. A clear policy protects your shop and keeps customers happy.
- Inspect at drop-off. Check every item for stains, holes and loose buttons before you accept the load.
- Tag and tell. Mark stained items and tell the customer right away. Note them on the claim slip.
- Post your policy. Display a simple notice saying your shop will do its best on stains but cannot guarantee that old or set-in stains will be removed.
- Offer spot treatment as an add-on. Extra stain treatment takes time and product. It is fair to charge for it. See our guide on laundry shop pricing for how to price add-ons.
- Train your staff. Print the stain table above and post it near your sorting area so everyone treats stains the same way.
Stock up on stain-fighting supplies from Mazy’s
Mazy’s Marketing Corporation has been an official P&G distributor in the Philippines since 2014. We supply Ariel, Tide, Downy and Joy in case packs and sacks sized for laundry shops, from branches in Malabon (Metro Manila), Calamba (Laguna), Mexico (Pampanga) and Mandaue (Cebu).
Request a quote, message us on Facebook, or call (02) 8661-3221. You can also find the branch nearest you.
Message your nearest Mazy’s branch on Viber
Get current case prices and stock from the team in your area. It’s the fastest way to reach us.
Metro Manila: ElanLaguna: SherylPampanga: JocelCebu: CristineFrequently asked questions
What is the best way to remove stains from clothes?
Treat the stain as soon as possible, blot instead of rubbing, rinse with cold water, pre-treat with liquid detergent and wash. Check the stain before drying, because heat can make it permanent.
Does hot water remove stains?
Hot water helps with greasy and oily stains, but it can set protein stains like blood and sweat. When you don’t know what the stain is, start with cold water.
Can old, set-in stains be removed?
Sometimes. Pre-treat with liquid detergent, let it sit longer than usual and wash again. Some old stains, especially ones that have been through a dryer, may never fully come out.
How do I remove yellow sweat stains from white shirts?
Pre-treat the area with liquid detergent and let it sit, then wash. A color-safe or oxygen-based stain remover can help. Avoid chlorine bleach on yellowed areas, as it can make them darker.
Should a laundry shop charge extra for stain removal?
Many shops offer spot treatment as a paid add-on because it takes extra time and product. Tell customers up front and post your stain policy so there are no surprises.