Stain Guide - An Introduction to Effective Stain Removal

Garment-Saving Stains Guide: How to save your garments from food mishaps, makeup spillage, and sloppy eating habits


We’re all familiar with the consequences of rushing too quickly, only to encounter the inevitable outcome of an unsightly stain on our beloved shirt or pants. Had you simply exercised a bit more patience, taking it slow on your first cup of coffee, perhaps you could have opted for darker-coloured pants that rainy day, or perhaps you could have been content with less ketchup on your hotdog. “Would’ve, should’ve, could’ve”. But no need to panic, these accidents happen, but luckily there is often a very easy solution.

The rule of thumb when it comes to stain removal is to act quickly and treat them as soon as possible. Contrary to common perception, warm water does not always facilitate stain removal. In fact, it can set certain stains, making the removal of them more difficult, and therefore hot or warm water is recommended for fatty stains only. The messy eaters fret not, the most dependable companion in a battle against food stain removal is something readily available at home - regular dish detergent. 

More challenging stains, food-related or not, may require the use of a dedicated stain remover or trusted home remedies - most of which are listed here. However, some commercial stain removers might contain bleach, which can cause colour fading, especially on darker garments, and therefore it is advisable to check the properties of the remover or conduct a test run of it on a small, inconspicuous area of the garment before committing to it.

While stain removal can sometimes seem like a daunting task, there’s no need to worry. In this guide, you’ll find some tried and tested recommendations for dealing with some of the most common and tricky stains you may encounter.

Here’s the complete list of stain guides. Is there anything we’ve missed? Email us at hello@sourcecollections.com 

PRODUCTS TO HAVE AT HOME

Here are several products and ingredients that will prove useful as home remedies 

  • Baking Soda
  • Cornstarch 
  • Dish Soap 
  • Lemon juice
  • Nail polish remover
  • Salt
  • Vinegar
  • A spoon
  • A knife


Alternatively, explore some of our recommended detergents and softeners that have been carefully selected for both their effectiveness and environmental consciousness below.