How to remove set in stains in 5 easy steps

July 25, 2024

Whether it's red wine on your white shirt or coffee on your favorite jeans, old stains don't have to be permanent. With the right approach, you can get rid of those stubborn spots and make your clothes look fresh again.

Quick links:

What are set-in stains?

White vinegar

Baking soda

Dish soap

Hydrogen peroxide

Smart Sheep stain stick

If you'd rather not spend your time experimenting, try our stain stick for an eco-friendly ally in the battle against pesky stains!

Eco-Friendly "Top Secret" Stain Stick--Compact, Concentrated Formula - 2-Pack

What are set-in stains?

Set-in stains are old, stubborn spots on fabric that resist removal through normal washing. These stains have had time to deeply penetrate a material’s fibers, often undergoing chemical changes that make them particularly difficult to remove.

Here’s what you should know about set-in stains:

These stains are not fresh. They have been stuck on the fabric for ages.
The stain has worked its way into the fabric.
Normal washing does not remove these stains.
The stain may form stronger chemical bonds with the fabric.
Set-in stains come from many sources, such as food, beverages, ink, rust, or mold.

To get rid of them, you often need special cleaning methods and products that go beyond regular laundry detergent.

Here are some super easy solutions you can try!

Solution 1: white vinegar

Because of its natural acidity and cleaning properties, white vinegar breaks down many types of set-in stains without harsh chemicals. White vinegar is also an inexpensive, readily available, and eco-friendly stain remover.

White vinegar works best for food spills, sweat marks, grass stains, and even some ink or paint splatters. Follow these steps to use white vinegar to remove old stains:

Mix equal parts white vinegar and warm water in a spray bottle.
Spray the solution directly onto the set-in stain.
Let it sit for 15–30 minutes, depending on the stain's severity.
Blot the area with a clean, white cloth to lift the stain.
Rinse the fabric with cold water.
Repeat if necessary.
Wash the item as usual once the stain is gone.

For tougher stains, apply undiluted white vinegar directly to the spot. Vinegar works best on cotton, linen, and most synthetic fabrics, but you should be cautious on delicate fabrics, such as silk and wool, as it may damage their sensitive fibers.

Solution 2: baking soda

Baking soda is an effective remedy for old, set-in stains because of its mild abrasive properties and natural deodorizing abilities. It tackle different types of stains, including grease, sweat, and food marks.

Baking soda works on grease, sweat, and food stains. To use baking soda, follow these steps:

Make a paste with baking soda and a small amount of lukewarm water.
Apply the paste directly to the set-in stain.
Gently rub the paste into the fabric with your fingers or a soft brush.
Let it sit for 15–20 minutes.
Brush off the dried paste.
Rinse the area with cold water.
Wash the item as usual.

For the most stubborn stains, leave the baking soda paste on for several hours or overnight. Baking soda works particularly well for cotton, linen, and other natural fibers, as well as durable synthetic fabrics such as polyester and nylon.

Solution 3: dish soap

Dishsoap is a powerful ally against old stains, especially those that are oil-based or protein-based. Its grease-cutting properties make it effective on set-in food stains, makeup, and even some ink stains.

Dish soap works great on makeup stains, oil marks, and greasy food spots. Here’s how you can use dish soap for old stain removal:

Apply a small amount of dish soap directly to the stain.
Gently work the soap into the fabric with your fingers or a soft brush.
Let it sit for 10–15 minutes.
Rinse the area with cold water.
Blot the spot with a clean cloth to absorb excess moisture.
Repeat if necessary.
Launder the item as usual.

For particularly tough stains, create a stronger solution by mixing dish soap with equal parts hydrogen peroxide. Apply this mixture to the stain and let it sit for 30 minutes before rinsing and washing. Dish soap is gentle enough for most fabrics yet strong enough to break down stubborn stains.

Solution 4: hydrogen peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is great for white or light-colored fabrics. It acts as a mild bleaching agent and effectively tackles many stain types, including blood, sweat, and food. Hydrogen peroxide also has disinfecting properties, which can eliminate odors associated with old stains.

Hydrogen peroxide removes tough blood, wine, grass, and chocolate stains from white fabrics. It also works great on oil-based stains. Follow these steps to remove set-in stains with hydrogen peroxide:

Pour a small amount of 3% hydrogen peroxide directly onto the stain.
Let it sit on the stain for 10–15 minutes.
Blot the area with a clean cloth.
Rinse the fabric with cold water.
Repeat if necessary.
Wash the item as usual.

For the toughest stains, mix equal parts hydrogen peroxide and dishsoap. Gently rub the mixture into the stain and let it sit for 30 minutes before rinsing and washing. Hydrogen peroxide works best on cotton, linen, and synthetic fabrics.

Solution 5: Smart Sheep stain stick

Our magical stain stick removes set-in stains with ease. It cleans tough, old spots that regular detergents can't handle.

What makes our stain stick the best eco-friendly laundry product?

Advanced set-in stain removal. Our stain stick contains cutting-edge ingredients to penetrate deep into fabric fibers. It breaks down and removes old, stubborn stains that have resisted multiple washes.
Tackles different long-standing stains. Whether fighting grease spots, coffee spills, or stubborn baby clothes stains, our stain stick handles them all. No old stain is too tough for its powerful action.
Preserves fabric quality. While effective against stains, our stick doesn't harm fabrics. It removes old marks without discoloration or damage, so clothes keep their original quality.
Simple to use. Our stain stick makes old stain treatment easy. Apply it to the stain, let it work, then wash it as usual.
Portable stain solution. Compact and easy to carry, our stain stick lets you fight old stains whenever you find them, at home or on the go.
Minimal packaging. Our stain stick comes in simple, efficient packaging to reduce unnecessary waste.
Skin-safe. Our formula is gentle on the skin and safe for kids yet tough enough to tackle stains present for months or years.

How to remove set-in carpet stains

Set-in carpet stains are particularly challenging, but with the right approach, you can often restore your carpet's appearance. Here are some effective methods for tackling tough stains on carpets:

Vacuum first. Begin by vacuuming the stained area to remove loose particles.
Blot, don't rub. Use a clean cloth or paper towel to blot the stain, working from the outside towards the center to prevent spreading.
Try club soda. Pour club soda onto the stain and blot with a white cloth. The carbonation can lift the stain.
Vinegar and water. Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray the solution on the stain, let it sit for a few minutes, then blot with a clean cloth.
Dish soap. Mix a teaspoon of liquid dish soap with a cup of warm water. Apply this solution to the stain with a clean cloth, blot, and rinse with cool water.
Baking soda paste. For greasy stains, make a paste with baking soda and water. Apply it to the stain, let it dry completely, then vacuum.
Hydrogen peroxide. For light-colored carpets, mix hydrogen peroxide with a small amount of cream of tartar or non-gel toothpaste. Apply to the stain, let it sit for a few minutes, then rinse with cool water.
Commercial carpet cleaners. For stubborn stains, think about using a powdered stain remover or other specialized carpet cleaning products.
Steam cleaning. For deep stains, a steam cleaner can lift deeply embedded dirt and grime.

How to remove old stains from clothes

Some types of clothing fabric present an extra challenge. Silk, wool, linen, and other fabrics require special treatment. Choose a stain remover based on your clothing fabric type.

Silk: use a silk-specific detergent and gently dab the stain
Wool: apply a wool-safe detergent and blot with lukewarm water
Leather: treat with a leather cleaner or mild soap solution
Suede: use a suede brush and specialized suede cleaner
Linen: soak in a mixture of oxygen-based bleach and cool water
Acetate: apply a gentle, non-acetone solvent to the stain
Triacetate: treat with mild detergent and cool water
Everything else: use the methods we covered above

How to remove old grease stains

Grease stains are usually hard to remove—especially those that sit for long periods. But don't give up hope. Here are some ways you can fight grease stains:

Smart Sheep stain stick. Wet the stained area, rub the stick on it, and wash the garment as usual. This product works on most fabrics and grease-based stains.
Dish soap. Apply dish soap directly to the stain, work it into the fabric, and let it sit for 10–15 minutes before washing. The soap's grease-cutting properties help break down the oil.
Baking soda. Sprinkle baking soda on the stain, allow it to sit for a few hours to absorb excess oil, then brush off and wash.
Chlorine bleach (for light fabrics). For white or light-colored items, dilute chlorine bleach according to package instructions and soak the garment before washing. Always check fabric compatibility first.
Powdered detergent paste. Mix powdered laundry detergent with a little water to form a paste. Apply to the stain, gently scrub with a soft-bristled brush, and wash in the hottest water safe for the fabric.
White chalk. Rub white chalk on the grease stain to absorb oil before it sets. Let it sit, brush it off, then launder.

Don’t be afraid to double up (or triple up) on these techniques. For example, you could use chalk, then dishsoap, then launder. Or baking soda, then our stain stick.

Woman uses Smart Sheep stain stick to remove stain from her favorite shirt—5 simple ways to remove old set-in stains

Stain removers FAQ

What is the best way to remove fresh stains?

The best way to remove fresh stains is to act quickly. Blot the stain with a clean cloth or paper towel to absorb excess liquid. Avoid rubbing, as this can spread the stain. Apply cold water or a stain-specific solution, then launder the item as soon as possible using hot water (the hottest that is safe for the fabric).

How can I remove fresh wine stains?

To remove fresh wine stains, first blot the area with a clean cloth to absorb excess liquid. Then, cover the stain with salt to draw out moisture. After a few minutes, rinse with cold water. Apply a mixture of dish soap and hydrogen peroxide, let it sit for a few minutes, then rinse and wash.

What works the best for coffee and oily stains?

For coffee stains, rinse with cold water, then apply a mixture of dish soap and white vinegar. For oil stains, apply dish soap directly to the stain and work it in gently. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes, then wash in the hottest water safe for the fabric. Both types of stains may require pre-treatment with a commercial stain remover for best results.

What is the hardest stain to remove?

The hardest stains to remove are often those containing dyes or oils that have set into the fabric. These include red wine, turmeric, grass, and old grease stains. Ink, rust, and blood can also be particularly challenging, especially if they've had time to dry.