In this guide
Between the morning commute and a Friday evening out, London has a way of finding your clothes' weak spots. Here's how to deal with the six stains we get asked about most, and when it's worth putting the kit down and calling in a professional instead.
1. Coffee stains
The classic one, usually from a flat white meeting the Tube steps. Speed matters more than anything else here.
- Blot immediately, don't rub it in
- Rinse with cold water from the back of the fabric
- Work in a little dish soap for anything that's stuck around
2. Wine stains
Red wine on a white shirt is practically a London rite of passage. The fix is the same instinct as coffee: blot, don't rub.
- Blot up as much liquid as you can straight away
- Sprinkle salt over the stain to help absorb what's left
- Rinse through with cold water once the salt's done its job
3. Grease and oil stains
From a late-night kebab to a bike chain catching a trouser leg, grease sets fast, so quick action matters more here than with most stains.
- Blot off any excess oil straight away
- Cover the area in cornstarch or talcum powder for around 15 minutes
- Brush it off, then wash with a little dish soap worked into the fabric
4. Ink stains
A leaky pen in a shirt pocket is a bad morning. Act before it dries in fully, and be gentle on anything delicate.
- Dab, don't rub, with rubbing alcohol on a clean cloth
- Rinse through with cold water
- Repeat if there's still colour left behind
5. Blood stains
The one rule that matters most: always cold water. Heat is what turns a treatable stain into a permanent one.
- Rinse with cold water straight away, never hot
- Dab with hydrogen peroxide on a clean cloth
- Finish with a wash on a gentle detergent cycle
6. Grass stains
Common after a weekend in the park with the kids or a five-a-side game. Worth checking before it goes anywhere near a dryer.
- Pre-treat with white vinegar before washing
- Wash with a stain-fighting detergent
- Check the stain is gone before tumble drying; heat can set it permanently
