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How to Remove the Most Common Stains — NZ Guide
Laundry Tips

How to Remove the Most Common Stains — NZ Guide

7 min readNovember 2025
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How to Remove the Most Common Stains

Stains are inevitable — especially with kids, pets, and red wine in the picture. The key is acting fast and using the right technique. Here's our guide to the most common stains in NZ households.

Golden Rule: Act Fast, Don't Rub

The first rule of stain removal is to treat it immediately. The longer a stain sits, the harder it is to remove. And always blot, never rub — rubbing pushes the stain deeper into the fibres.

Coffee and Tea

  • Blot up as much liquid as possible immediately
  • Rinse with cold water from the back of the fabric
  • Apply a small amount of dish soap and work in gently
  • Rinse thoroughly
  • If the stain remains, try a mix of white vinegar and water (1:2 ratio)
  • Red Wine

  • Blot immediately — do not rub
  • Pour salt or club soda on the stain to absorb the wine
  • Mix dish soap and hydrogen peroxide (1:2) and apply
  • Let sit for 5 minutes, then rinse with cold water
  • Note: Don't use hot water on wine stains — it sets them permanently.

    Grass Stains

  • Brush off any loose grass
  • Apply white vinegar directly and let sit for 5 minutes
  • Rub in dish soap and scrub gently with an old toothbrush
  • Rinse with cold water
  • For stubborn stains, try a commercial enzyme-based stain remover
  • Mud

    Counterintuitive tip: Let the mud dry first. Trying to remove wet mud just spreads it.

  • Once dry, brush off as much as possible
  • Apply liquid laundry detergent directly
  • Let sit 15 minutes
  • Wash in warm water
  • Blood

  • Rinse immediately with cold water (hot water sets blood stains permanently)
  • Apply hydrogen peroxide for a few minutes
  • Rinse well
  • For dried blood, soak in cold salt water for 30 minutes first
  • Grease and Oil

  • Sprinkle baking soda or cornflour on the stain and leave for 30 minutes
  • Brush off and apply dish soap (dish soap cuts through grease)
  • Let sit 10 minutes
  • Wash in the hottest water safe for the fabric
  • When to Call in the Professionals

    Some stains — ink, paint, deep-set food stains on delicates — are best left to professionals. Attempting home remedies on silk or wool can cause permanent damage.

    WashClub's professional laundry team can advise on stubborn stains. Include a note with your order and we'll do our best.

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