Home cleaning that starts with the stain: the right method for each stain and surface, in the order that works, using what is already in your cupboard.
Express Stainless
Stain Finder · No. 16
Red wine Tannin with a strong red dye: it spreads fast and sets as it dries, so blot it while it is wet and keep it cold.
On clothes and fabric
1 Blot
Blot up as much as you can with kitchen roll, pressing rather than rubbing.
2 RinseCold
Stretch the stained part over a bowl and pour cold water through the back of the stain.
3 Treat15 min
Work in washing-up liquid or liquid detergent with your fingertips, leave it for 15 minutes, and rinse.
Never put it through a hot wash or the tumble dryer while any pink is left: heat fixes the dye.
All 5 steps in the Stain Finder Express Stainless
Stain Finder · No. 01
Blood Protein: heat cooks it into the fibres, so keep everything cold until the stain has gone.
On clothes and fabric
1 RinseCold
Run the cold tap through the back of the stain, so the water pushes the blood out the way it came in.
2 TreatCold
Work a little biological detergent into the mark with your fingertips (a wool detergent on wool and silk), then rinse in cold water.
3 SoakHours
Soak any mark left for a few hours in cold water with biological detergent, or in an oxygen-based stain remover as the pack directs, within the care label.
Never use hot water or the tumble dryer until the stain has gone: heat sets blood into the fibres.
All 5 steps in the Stain Finder Express Stainless
Stain Finder · No. 01
Blood Protein: heat cooks it into the fibres, so keep everything cold until the stain has gone.
On carpets and upholstery
1 Blot
Blot up as much as you can with a white cloth or kitchen roll, working from the outside in.
2 MixCold
Mix a few drops of washing-up liquid into a mug of cold water, and patch test it on a hidden spot.
3 Dab
Dab it onto the stain with a clean white cloth and blot, moving to a clean part of the cloth as the colour lifts.
Never use hot water or a steam cleaner, which set the stain, or soak the spot, which carries it into the backing.
All 4 steps in the Stain Finder Express Stainless
Stain Finder · No. 01
Blood Protein: heat cooks it into the fibres, so keep everything cold until the stain has gone.
On hard surfaces
1 WipeCold
Wearing rubber gloves, wipe up fresh blood with kitchen roll and cold water.
2 Soften10 min
Soften dried blood by laying a cloth soaked in cold water and a drop of washing-up liquid over it for 10 minutes.
3 Wipe
Wipe it away, using an old toothbrush on grout, where blood soaks in fast.
Never mix bleach with anything else you use here: with ammonia, vinegar or an acid descaler, it gives off toxic gas.
All 4 steps in the Stain Finder Express Stainless
Stain Finder · No. 02
Candle wax Wax, often with dye in it: let it set hard and lift it off, then treat the greasy or coloured mark it leaves.
On clothes and fabric
1 Harden1 hr
Let the wax harden, or put the garment in a bag in the freezer for an hour.
2 Crack
Crack the wax and lift off as much as you can with a blunt knife.
3 PressWarm
Put the fabric between sheets of brown paper and press with a warm, dry iron, moving the paper as it soaks up the wax.
Never put the iron straight onto the wax, or iron a fabric whose care label says not to.
All 5 steps in the Stain Finder Express Stainless
Stain Finder · No. 02
Candle wax Wax, often with dye in it: let it set hard and lift it off, then treat the greasy or coloured mark it leaves.
On carpets and upholstery
1 Harden
Harden the wax with a bag of ice, then break it up, lift the pieces with a blunt knife and vacuum.
2 TestLow
Test an iron on a low, dry setting through brown paper on a hidden spot first: some synthetic fibres melt.
3 Press
Lay brown paper over the wax and press briefly with the iron, moving the paper until no more wax comes up.
Never use a hot iron or hold it in one place: synthetic carpet fibres melt.
All 5 steps in the Stain Finder Express Stainless
Stain Finder · No. 02
Candle wax Wax, often with dye in it: let it set hard and lift it off, then treat the greasy or coloured mark it leaves.
On hard surfaces
1 HardenMins
Let the wax harden fully, or hold a bag of ice on it for a few minutes.
2 Ease off
Ease it off with a plastic scraper or an old bank card.
3 SoftenLow
Soften any thin film left with a hairdryer on low and wipe it away with kitchen roll.
Never scrape wood or stone with a metal knife, or turn high heat on a varnished table: both leave marks.
All 4 steps in the Stain Finder Express Stainless
Stain Finder · No. 03
Chewing gum Sticky gum base: cold makes it brittle, so freeze it hard and it snaps off instead of smearing deeper.
On clothes and fabric
1 Harden2 hr
Put the garment in a plastic bag in the freezer for a couple of hours, or hold a bag of ice on the gum.
2 Scrape
Once the gum is brittle, pick and scrape it off with a blunt knife, working fast before it softens.
3 Treat
Work a little washing-up liquid into any sticky mark with your fingertips, then rinse.
Never put it in the washing machine or the tumble dryer with gum still on: the heat melts it into the fabric and onto the rest of the load.
All 4 steps in the Stain Finder Express Stainless
Stain Finder · No. 03
Chewing gum Sticky gum base: cold makes it brittle, so freeze it hard and it snaps off instead of smearing deeper.
On carpets and upholstery
1 Harden10–15 min
Hold a bag of ice cubes on the gum for 10 to 15 minutes, until it is hard.
2 Shatter
Shatter it with the back of a spoon, pick out the pieces and vacuum.
3 DabWarm
Dab any residue with a few drops of washing-up liquid in a mug of warm water, after a patch test.
Never pull at gum while it is soft: it stretches deeper into the pile.
All 4 steps in the Stain Finder Express Stainless
Stain Finder · No. 03
Chewing gum Sticky gum base: cold makes it brittle, so freeze it hard and it snaps off instead of smearing deeper.
On hard surfaces
1 HardenMins
Harden the gum with a bag of ice for a few minutes.
2 Lever off
Lever it off with a plastic scraper or an old bank card.
3 WipeWarm
Wipe away the residue with warm water and washing-up liquid, then rinse and dry.
Never scrape wood, laminate or vinyl floors with a metal blade: it scratches the finish.
The full method in the Stain Finder Express Stainless
Stain Finder · No. 04
Chocolate Protein, fat and colour together: cold water for the milk, washing-up liquid for the fat, then a normal wash.
On clothes and fabric
1 Scrape
Scrape off what you can with a blunt knife; if it is soft, chill the garment in the fridge first so it lifts cleanly.
2 RinseCold
Rinse the back of the stain under the cold tap.
3 Treat15 min
Work in a little washing-up liquid with your fingertips and leave it for 15 minutes.
Never use hot water before the stain has had a cold rinse: heat sets the milk.
All 4 steps in the Stain Finder Express Stainless
Stain Finder · No. 04
Chocolate Protein, fat and colour together: cold water for the milk, washing-up liquid for the fat, then a normal wash.
On carpets and upholstery
1 Set
Let melted chocolate set (a bag of ice speeds it up), then scrape off the solids with a blunt knife and vacuum the crumbs.
2 MixCold
Mix a few drops of washing-up liquid into a mug of cold water, patch test it, and dab it on with a white cloth.
3 Blot
Blot from the outside in until no more colour comes up.
Never rub melted chocolate: it pushes the fat deeper into the pile and spreads the mark.
All 4 steps in the Stain Finder Express Stainless
Stain Finder · No. 04
Chocolate Protein, fat and colour together: cold water for the milk, washing-up liquid for the fat, then a normal wash.
On hard surfaces
1 Lift
Let it set, then lift it off with a plastic scraper or spatula.
2 WipeWarm
Wipe with a cloth wrung out in warm water and washing-up liquid to break up the fat.
3 Rinse
Rinse with a clean damp cloth and dry.
Never use a scouring pad on gloss, glass or painted surfaces: it scratches them.
The full method in the Stain Finder Express Stainless
Stain Finder · No. 05
Coffee Tannin, with protein if it had milk in it: cold water first, then detergent, and start straight away, because it sets as it dries.
On clothes and fabric
1 BlotCold
Blot up what you can with kitchen roll, then rinse the back of the stain under the cold tap.
2 Treat10 min
Work in a little washing-up liquid or liquid detergent with your fingertips and leave it for 10 minutes.
3 Soak
Rinse, and soak any mark left in an oxygen-based stain remover as the pack directs, within the care label.
Never use bar soap or soap flakes: true soap can set a tannin stain.
All 4 steps in the Stain Finder Express Stainless
Stain Finder · No. 05
Coffee Tannin, with protein if it had milk in it: cold water first, then detergent, and start straight away, because it sets as it dries.
On carpets and upholstery
1 BlotNow
Blot straight away with a white cloth or kitchen roll, pressing firmly, from the outside in.
2 DabCold
Dab on cold water and blot again, until no more colour comes up.
3 MixCool
Mix a few drops of washing-up liquid and a tablespoon of white vinegar into a mug of cool water, and patch test it.
Never soak the carpet: water that reaches the backing brings the stain back up as it dries.
All 5 steps in the Stain Finder Express Stainless
Stain Finder · No. 05
Coffee Tannin, with protein if it had milk in it: cold water first, then detergent, and start straight away, because it sets as it dries.
On hard surfaces
1 WipeWarm
Wipe up spills straight away with a damp cloth, and clean dried rings with warm water and washing-up liquid.
2 Paste
Rub any mark left on laminate, ceramic or stainless steel with a bicarbonate of soda paste on a soft cloth, then rinse.
3 Soak1 hr
Soak stained flasks and cafetières in hot water with a spoonful of bicarbonate of soda for an hour, then wash.
Never use bleach or wire wool on stainless steel: bleach pits it and wire wool scratches it.
All 4 steps in the Stain Finder Express Stainless
Stain Finder · No. 06
Curry and turmeric Oil with a strong yellow dye: break up the oil first, then fade the colour, which daylight helps with.
On clothes and fabric
1 ScrapeCold
Scrape off any sauce with a spoon, then rinse the back of the stain under the cold tap.
2 Treat10 min
Work washing-up liquid into the mark to break up the oil, leave it for 10 minutes, and rinse.
3 Soak
Soak it in an oxygen-based stain remover as the pack directs, within the care label.
Never tumble dry until the yellow has gone: heat sets the dye.
All 5 steps in the Stain Finder Express Stainless
Stain Finder · No. 06
Curry and turmeric Oil with a strong yellow dye: break up the oil first, then fade the colour, which daylight helps with.
On carpets and upholstery
1 Scoop
Scoop up the solids with a spoon, working from the outside in.
2 Blot
Blot with kitchen roll to take up as much oil as you can.
3 DabCold
Dab on a few drops of washing-up liquid in a mug of cold water, after a patch test, and blot from the outside in.
Never rub: the oil carries the dye further into the pile with every stroke.
All 5 steps in the Stain Finder Express Stainless
Stain Finder · No. 06
Curry and turmeric Oil with a strong yellow dye: break up the oil first, then fade the colour, which daylight helps with.
On hard surfaces
1 WipeWarm
Wipe up straight away with kitchen roll, then wash with warm water and washing-up liquid.
2 Paste15 min
Rub a paste of bicarbonate of soda and water into marks on plastic, laminate or grout, leave it for 15 minutes, then rinse.
3 Daylight1–2 days
Leave stained plastic tubs and utensils on a sunny windowsill for a day or two: daylight fades turmeric.
Never use a scouring pad on plastic or acrylic: the scratches hold the dye and stain faster next time.
The full method in the Stain Finder Express Stainless
Stain Finder · No. 07
Deodorant marks Residue: antiperspirant salts and waxes sit on the surface and build up, so dissolve them rather than scrub.
On clothes and fabric
1 Brush
Brush fresh white marks off with a clean, dry sock or a soft cloth, or dab them with a damp sponge.
2 Soak30 min
For stiff build-up, soak the underarms for 30 minutes in one part white vinegar to four parts cool water, after a patch test.
3 WashLabel
Work in a little liquid detergent, then wash as the care label says.
Never iron over the marks: heat bakes the residue into the fibres.
All 4 steps in the Stain Finder Express Stainless
Stain Finder · No. 07
Deodorant marks Residue: antiperspirant salts and waxes sit on the surface and build up, so dissolve them rather than scrub.
On carpets and upholstery
1 Scrape
Scrape off any lumps of stick deodorant with a blunt knife.
2 Vacuum
Vacuum or brush away dry white residue.
3 DabWarm
Dab what is left with a few drops of washing-up liquid in a mug of warm water, after a patch test.
Never soak the spot: the residue spreads and dries as a wider ring.
All 4 steps in the Stain Finder Express Stainless
Stain Finder · No. 07
Deodorant marks Residue: antiperspirant salts and waxes sit on the surface and build up, so dissolve them rather than scrub.
On hard surfaces
1 WipeWarm
Wipe the sticky film that spray deodorant leaves on tiles, glass and vinyl floors with equal parts white vinegar and warm water.
2 SoftenMins
Leave it for a few minutes to soften.
3 WipeWarm
Wipe it away with a microfibre cloth, and mop floors with warm water and a little washing-up liquid.
Never use vinegar on marble or limestone, or mix it with a bleach-based bathroom cleaner: it etches the stone, and with bleach it gives off toxic gas.
All 4 steps in the Stain Finder Express Stainless
Stain Finder · No. 08
Fake tan Dye that keeps developing: the tanning agent darkens for hours after it touches fabric, so rinse it out before the colour sets.
On clothes and fabric
1 Blot
Blot off any wet tan with kitchen roll.
2 RinseCold
Rinse the back of the stain under the cold tap until the water runs clear.
3 Treat10 min
Work in washing-up liquid with your fingertips to lift the oils in the tan, leave it for 10 minutes, and rinse.
Never use hot water or the tumble dryer until it has gone: heat helps the tan develop and set.
All 5 steps in the Stain Finder Express Stainless
Stain Finder · No. 08
Fake tan Dye that keeps developing: the tanning agent darkens for hours after it touches fabric, so rinse it out before the colour sets.
On carpets and upholstery
1 BlotNow
Blot wet tan straight away with kitchen roll, without wiping.
2 MixCold
Mix a few drops of washing-up liquid into a mug of cold water, patch test it, and dab it on with a white cloth.
3 Blot
Blot from the outside in, moving to a clean part of the cloth as the colour lifts.
Never use hot water or a steam cleaner: heat helps the tan develop and fixes it in the fibres.
All 5 steps in the Stain Finder Express Stainless
Stain Finder · No. 08
Fake tan Dye that keeps developing: the tanning agent darkens for hours after it touches fabric, so rinse it out before the colour sets.
On hard surfaces
1 WipeNow
Wipe up straight away with a damp cloth and washing-up liquid.
2 Paste
Rub marks left on ceramic, enamel or acrylic gently with a paste of bicarbonate of soda and water on a soft cloth.
3 Scrub10 min
Scrub the paste into stained grout with an old toothbrush, leave it for 10 minutes, then rinse.
Never use scouring powder or a scourer on an acrylic bath or shower tray: they scratch, and the scratches hold the next stain.
All 4 steps in the Stain Finder Express Stainless
Stain Finder · No. 09
Foundation Oil and pigment: washing-up liquid breaks up the oil and the colour comes out with it, but brush powder off dry first.
On clothes and fabric
1 Lift
Lift off any excess with a blunt knife, and shake or brush powder foundation off dry.
2 TreatCold
Dampen the stain with cold water, then work in a little washing-up liquid with your fingertips.
3 Rinse10 min
Leave it for 10 minutes, then rinse under the cold tap through the back of the fabric.
Never wet powder foundation before you have brushed it off: water turns it into a paste that sinks into the weave.
All 4 steps in the Stain Finder Express Stainless
Stain Finder · No. 09
Foundation Oil and pigment: washing-up liquid breaks up the oil and the colour comes out with it, but brush powder off dry first.
On carpets and upholstery
1 Lift
Lift off any excess with a blunt knife, or vacuum up loose powder.
2 DabCold
Dab on a few drops of washing-up liquid in a mug of cold water with a white cloth, after a patch test.
3 Blot
Blot from the outside in until no more colour comes off on the cloth.
Never rub, which spreads the pigment, or soak the spot, which pushes it into the backing.
All 4 steps in the Stain Finder Express Stainless
Stain Finder · No. 09
Foundation Oil and pigment: washing-up liquid breaks up the oil and the colour comes out with it, but brush powder off dry first.
On hard surfaces
1 WipeWarm
Wipe with a cloth wrung out in warm water and washing-up liquid.
2 SoftenMins
Lay the soapy cloth over dried marks for a few minutes to soften the oil.
3 Wipe
Wipe clean, rinse with a damp cloth and dry.
Never use isopropyl alcohol on French-polished or lacquered wood: it can dissolve the finish.
The full method in the Stain Finder Express Stainless
Stain Finder · No. 10
Grass Protein and green dye: the enzymes in biological detergent break it down, and heat sets it, so keep it cool.
On clothes and fabric
1 Brush
Brush off any dried mud or bits of grass.
2 Treat15–30 min
Work liquid biological detergent into the stain with your fingertips or a soft brush, and leave it for 15 to 30 minutes.
3 Dab
Dab any green left with isopropyl alcohol on a cotton wool pad, after a patch test on a hidden seam, then rinse. Keep alcohol off acetate, triacetate, acrylic and modacrylic, which it can damage.
Never use biological detergent on wool or silk: the enzymes that break down grass damage those fibres too.
All 4 steps in the Stain Finder Express Stainless
Stain Finder · No. 10
Grass Protein and green dye: the enzymes in biological detergent break it down, and heat sets it, so keep it cool.
On carpets and upholstery
1 Vacuum
Vacuum off any dried mud first.
2 DabCold
Dab on a few drops of washing-up liquid in a mug of cold water, after a patch test, and blot from the outside in.
3 Dab
Dab any green left with a white cloth dampened in isopropyl alcohol, after a patch test, then blot.
Never scrub with a stiff brush: it frays the pile and drives the green into the base of the fibres.
All 4 steps in the Stain Finder Express Stainless
Stain Finder · No. 10
Grass Protein and green dye: the enzymes in biological detergent break it down, and heat sets it, so keep it cool.
On hard surfaces
1 WipeWarm
Wipe with warm water and washing-up liquid.
2 Scrub
Scrub green marks on trainer soles or plastic garden furniture with a paste of bicarbonate of soda and water and an old toothbrush.
Never use a wire brush or metal scourer on plastic or rubber: the scratches hold the green next time.
The full method in the Stain Finder Express Stainless
Stain Finder · No. 11
Grease and cooking oil Oil: water alone runs off it, so soak it up with a dry powder first, then break it up with washing-up liquid.
On clothes and fabric
1 Blot
Blot off what you can with kitchen roll.
2 Absorb15 min
Cover the stain with bicarbonate of soda or cornflour, leave it for 15 minutes to draw out the oil, and brush it off.
3 Treat10 min
Work washing-up liquid into both sides of the stain with your fingertips and leave it for 10 minutes.
Never tumble dry until you are sure it has gone: heat sets oil for good.
All 5 steps in the Stain Finder Express Stainless
Stain Finder · No. 11
Grease and cooking oil Oil: water alone runs off it, so soak it up with a dry powder first, then break it up with washing-up liquid.
On carpets and upholstery
1 Blot
Blot up as much oil as you can with kitchen roll.
2 Sprinkle30 min
Sprinkle bicarbonate of soda or cornflour over the stain, leave it for at least 30 minutes, then vacuum it up.
3 DabWarm
Dab on a few drops of washing-up liquid in a mug of warm water, after a patch test, and blot from the outside in.
Never pour water onto fresh oil: it spreads the stain instead of lifting it.
All 4 steps in the Stain Finder Express Stainless
Stain Finder · No. 11
Grease and cooking oil Oil: water alone runs off it, so soak it up with a dry powder first, then break it up with washing-up liquid.
On hard surfaces
1 Wipe
Wipe up fresh oil with kitchen roll.
2 WashHot
Wash the area with a cloth wrung out in hot water and washing-up liquid.
3 Paste
Rub sticky, set-in grease on tiles and cupboard doors with a paste of bicarbonate of soda and water on a soft cloth, then rinse.
Never use oven cleaner on worktops or painted cupboards: it is made for ovens and can strip other finishes.
All 4 steps in the Stain Finder Express Stainless
Stain Finder · No. 12
Hair dye Permanent dye, made to bond: fresh splashes often come out and set ones often don’t, so treat it within minutes.
On clothes and fabric
1 RinseCold
Rinse the back of the stain under the cold tap straight away, until the water runs clear.
2 Treat15 min
Work in a mix of washing-up liquid and a splash of white vinegar with your fingertips, leave it for 15 minutes, and rinse.
3 Soak
Soak any mark left in an oxygen-based stain remover as the pack directs, within the care label.
Never use chlorine bleach on coloured fabric: it strips the fabric’s own colour first.
All 4 steps in the Stain Finder Express Stainless
Stain Finder · No. 12
Hair dye Permanent dye, made to bond: fresh splashes often come out and set ones often don’t, so treat it within minutes.
On carpets and upholstery
1 BlotNow
Blot fresh dye straight away with kitchen roll, from the outside in.
2 MixCool
Mix a few drops of washing-up liquid and a tablespoon of white vinegar into a mug of cool water, and patch test it.
3 Dab
Dab it on with a white cloth and blot, moving to a clean part of the cloth while colour is still lifting.
Never use bleach or hydrogen peroxide on carpet: they lift the carpet’s own colour and leave a pale patch.
All 5 steps in the Stain Finder Express Stainless
Stain Finder · No. 12
Hair dye Permanent dye, made to bond: fresh splashes often come out and set ones often don’t, so treat it within minutes.
On hard surfaces
1 WipeNow
Wipe splashes straight away with a damp cloth: dye sets on grout and acrylic within minutes.
2 Paste
Rub marks left on ceramic or enamel with a paste of bicarbonate of soda and water, or a cream cleaner, on a soft cloth.
3 Scrub10 min
Work the paste into stained grout with an old toothbrush, leave it for 10 minutes, then rinse.
Never mix bleach with other bathroom cleaners to shift dye from grout: with ammonia, vinegar or a limescale remover, it gives off toxic gas.
All 4 steps in the Stain Finder Express Stainless
Stain Finder · No. 13
Ink Dye: ballpoint ink is oil-based and permanent marker alcohol-based, and both dissolve in isopropyl alcohol, while gel, rollerball and most felt-tip ink is water-based and lifts with cold water.
On clothes and fabric
1 CheckCold
Check the fibre content on the label: alcohol can damage acetate, triacetate, acrylic and modacrylic, so on those try cold water first and take anything you are unsure of to a dry cleaner.
2 Pad
Put a pad of kitchen roll under the stain, so the ink has somewhere to go.
3 Dab
For ballpoint or permanent marker, dab with isopropyl alcohol on a cotton wool pad after a patch test, changing pads as the ink lifts. Permanent marker may not come out completely.
Never use nail varnish remover: acetone dissolves acetate and some other synthetic fibres.
All 5 steps in the Stain Finder Express Stainless
Stain Finder · No. 13
Ink Dye: ballpoint ink is oil-based and permanent marker alcohol-based, and both dissolve in isopropyl alcohol, while gel, rollerball and most felt-tip ink is water-based and lifts with cold water.
On carpets and upholstery
1 Blot
Blot wet ink with kitchen roll, without pressing it in.
2 Test
For ballpoint or permanent marker on carpet or fabric upholstery, patch test isopropyl alcohol on a hidden spot.
3 Dab
Dab it on with a cotton wool pad and blot with a white cloth, changing pads as the ink lifts.
Never put alcohol on leather or suede: it strips the finish and the colour, so use the maker’s leather cleaner or call a specialist.
All 5 steps in the Stain Finder Express Stainless
Stain Finder · No. 13
Ink Dye: ballpoint ink is oil-based and permanent marker alcohol-based, and both dissolve in isopropyl alcohol, while gel, rollerball and most felt-tip ink is water-based and lifts with cold water.
On hard surfaces
1 Wipe
Wipe ink on painted walls with a damp cloth and a drop of washing-up liquid first.
2 Dab
If it stays, dab gently with isopropyl alcohol on a cotton wool pad, after testing a hidden patch of wall.
3 Wipe
On laminate, glass and most hard plastics, wipe with isopropyl alcohol on a soft cloth, testing a hidden spot first.
Never scrub matt paint: it polishes a shiny patch that shows more than the ink did.
All 4 steps in the Stain Finder Express Stainless
Stain Finder · No. 14
Lipstick Wax, oil and dye: lift the wax, break up the oil with washing-up liquid, then treat whatever colour is left.
On clothes and fabric
1 Scrape
Scrape off what you can with a blunt knife, lifting rather than smearing.
2 Dab
Lay the stain face down on kitchen roll and dab the back with washing-up liquid, so the colour moves into the paper.
3 Treat10 min
Work in a little more washing-up liquid with your fingertips, leave it for 10 minutes, and rinse in warm water.
Never use hot water or the tumble dryer before the colour has gone: heat sets the dye.
All 4 steps in the Stain Finder Express Stainless
Stain Finder · No. 14
Lipstick Wax, oil and dye: lift the wax, break up the oil with washing-up liquid, then treat whatever colour is left.
On carpets and upholstery
1 Lift
Lift off what you can with a blunt knife.
2 DabWarm
Dab on a few drops of washing-up liquid in a mug of warm water, after a patch test, and blot.
3 Dab
Dab any colour left with isopropyl alcohol on a cotton wool pad, after a patch test, then blot.
Never rub: lipstick smears, and every stroke spreads the colour further into the pile.
All 4 steps in the Stain Finder Express Stainless
Stain Finder · No. 14
Lipstick Wax, oil and dye: lift the wax, break up the oil with washing-up liquid, then treat whatever colour is left.
On hard surfaces
1 Wipe
Wipe mirrors and glass with a drop of washing-up liquid on a damp microfibre cloth.
2 WashHot
Wash marked drinking glasses in hot water and washing-up liquid.
3 DabWarm
Dab lipstick on painted walls with washing-up liquid in warm water, without scrubbing.
Never spray cleaner straight onto a mirror: it runs into the edges and damages the silvering.
All 4 steps in the Stain Finder Express Stainless
Stain Finder · No. 15
Mud Soil: fine grit and clay that wet wiping pushes in, so let it dry and brush it off before anything else.
On clothes and fabric
1 Dry
Let the mud dry completely.
2 Brush
Brush or scrape off as much as you can outdoors, and shake the garment.
3 Treat15 min
Work liquid biological detergent into the mark from both sides (a wool detergent on wool), and leave it for 15 minutes.
Never wipe or rinse wet mud: it pushes the fine particles deep into the weave.
All 5 steps in the Stain Finder Express Stainless
Stain Finder · No. 15
Mud Soil: fine grit and clay that wet wiping pushes in, so let it dry and brush it off before anything else.
On carpets and upholstery
1 Dry
Leave the mud to dry completely.
2 Vacuum
Break it up gently and vacuum, going over it several times from different directions.
3 DabWarm
Dab any mark left with a few drops of washing-up liquid in a mug of warm water, after a patch test.
Never over-wet the spot: wet soil sinks into the backing and wicks back up as a brown ring.
All 4 steps in the Stain Finder Express Stainless
Stain Finder · No. 15
Mud Soil: fine grit and clay that wet wiping pushes in, so let it dry and brush it off before anything else.
On hard surfaces
1 Sweep
Let it dry, then sweep or vacuum up the loose soil, so you don’t grind grit into the floor.
2 MopWarm
Mop with warm water and a little washing-up liquid, wringing the mop out well on wood and laminate.
3 Rinse
Rinse with clean water and dry.
Never use a soaking-wet mop on wood or laminate: standing water swells the boards.
The full method in the Stain Finder Express Stainless
Stain Finder · No. 16
Red wine Tannin with a strong red dye: it spreads fast and sets as it dries, so blot it while it is wet and keep it cold.
On clothes and fabric
1 Blot
Blot up as much as you can with kitchen roll, pressing rather than rubbing.
2 RinseCold
Stretch the stained part over a bowl and pour cold water through the back of the stain.
3 Treat15 min
Work in washing-up liquid or liquid detergent with your fingertips, leave it for 15 minutes, and rinse.
Never put it through a hot wash or the tumble dryer while any pink is left: heat fixes the dye.
All 5 steps in the Stain Finder Express Stainless
Stain Finder · No. 16
Red wine Tannin with a strong red dye: it spreads fast and sets as it dries, so blot it while it is wet and keep it cold.
On carpets and upholstery
1 BlotNow
Blot straight away with a white cloth or kitchen roll, pressing hard, from the outside in.
2 DabCold
Dab on cold water and blot again, until no more colour comes up.
3 MixCool
Mix a few drops of washing-up liquid and a tablespoon of white vinegar into a mug of cool water, and patch test it.
Never rub, which spreads the wine and frays the pile, or use hot water, which sets the dye.
All 5 steps in the Stain Finder Express Stainless
Stain Finder · No. 16
Red wine Tannin with a strong red dye: it spreads fast and sets as it dries, so blot it while it is wet and keep it cold.
On hard surfaces
1 WipeNow
Wipe up straight away with a damp cloth.
2 Paste
Rub any mark on laminate, ceramic or stainless steel with a paste of bicarbonate of soda and water on a soft cloth, then rinse.
3 ScrubWarm
Scrub stained grout with an old toothbrush and a drop of washing-up liquid in warm water, then rinse, keeping the paste off it: bicarbonate of soda can react with red wine and leave a blue tinge in anything porous.
Never use vinegar or lemon on marble or limestone: acids etch the surface.
All 4 steps in the Stain Finder Express Stainless
Stain Finder · No. 17
Rust Mineral: iron oxide dissolves in mild acids and turns darker with chlorine bleach, so use lemon juice or white vinegar, never bleach.
On clothes and fabric
1 Check
Check the care label, and take delicate or dry-clean-only fabrics to a dry cleaner.
2 Lemon1 hr
On white or colourfast fabric, patch test, then cover the rust with lemon juice and a sprinkle of salt for an hour.
3 RinseCold
Rinse well in cold water, and repeat if the mark is fading but not gone.
Never use chlorine bleach on rust: it reacts with the iron and can make the stain darker and permanent.
All 4 steps in the Stain Finder Express Stainless
Stain Finder · No. 17
Rust Mineral: iron oxide dissolves in mild acids and turns darker with chlorine bleach, so use lemon juice or white vinegar, never bleach.
On carpets and upholstery
1 Move
Move the metal object or furniture that caused it, and let the area dry.
2 Dab10 min
Patch test, then dab a little lemon juice or white vinegar onto the mark with a cotton bud and leave it for 10 minutes.
3 Blot
Blot with a white cloth, then rinse by dabbing with clean water.
Never put metal furniture feet back on damp carpet: they leave fresh rust rings.
All 4 steps in the Stain Finder Express Stainless
Stain Finder · No. 17
Rust Mineral: iron oxide dissolves in mild acids and turns darker with chlorine bleach, so use lemon juice or white vinegar, never bleach.
On hard surfaces
1 Vinegar30 min
On glazed ceramic and stainless steel, lay a cloth soaked in white vinegar over the mark for 30 minutes, keeping it off grout.
2 Scrub
Scrub gently with an old toothbrush or a non-scratch sponge.
3 Rinse
Rinse well and dry.
Never use vinegar, lemon or a rust remover on marble or limestone, or mix any of them with bleach: they etch the stone, and with bleach they give off toxic gas.
All 4 steps in the Stain Finder Express Stainless
Stain Finder · No. 18
Tea Tannin, usually with milk: cold water first for the milk, then detergent for the tannin, and the sooner the better.
On clothes and fabric
1 BlotCold
Blot up what you can, then rinse the back of the stain under the cold tap.
2 Treat10 min
Work in a little liquid biological detergent with your fingertips (a wool detergent on wool and silk), and leave it for 10 minutes.
3 Soak
Soak an old or dried stain in an oxygen-based stain remover as the pack directs, within the care label.
Never pour hot water on a milky tea stain: heat sets the milk before the tannin is out.
All 4 steps in the Stain Finder Express Stainless
Stain Finder · No. 18
Tea Tannin, usually with milk: cold water first for the milk, then detergent for the tannin, and the sooner the better.
On carpets and upholstery
1 BlotNow
Blot straight away with a white cloth, from the outside in.
2 DabCold
Dab on cold water and blot again, until no more colour lifts.
3 MixCool
Mix a few drops of washing-up liquid and a tablespoon of white vinegar into a mug of cool water, and patch test it.
Never blot with a coloured cloth or tea towel: its dye can come off on the carpet.
All 4 steps in the Stain Finder Express Stainless
Stain Finder · No. 18
Tea Tannin, usually with milk: cold water first for the milk, then detergent for the tannin, and the sooner the better.
On hard surfaces
1 Sprinkle
Sprinkle a spoonful of bicarbonate of soda into stained mugs and teapots, add a few drops of water, and rub with a soft sponge.
2 SoakNight
Leave heavily stained mugs overnight in hot water with a spoonful of bicarbonate of soda, then wash.
3 Paste
Rub tea rings on worktops and sinks with a paste of bicarbonate of soda and water on a soft cloth.
Never use wire wool or a scouring pad on china or enamel teapots: it scratches the glaze, and scratches stain faster.
All 4 steps in the Stain Finder Express Stainless
Stain Finder · No. 19
Tomato sauce Oil with a red-orange dye: scrape, rinse cold and break up the oil, then fade the colour, which daylight helps with.
On clothes and fabric
1 Scrape
Scrape off the excess with a blunt knife or spoon, without pressing it in.
2 RinseCold
Rinse the back of the stain under the cold tap.
3 Treat10 min
Work in washing-up liquid with your fingertips, leave it for 10 minutes, and rinse.
Never use hot water before the stain is out: heat sets the colour.
All 5 steps in the Stain Finder Express Stainless
Stain Finder · No. 19
Tomato sauce Oil with a red-orange dye: scrape, rinse cold and break up the oil, then fade the colour, which daylight helps with.
On carpets and upholstery
1 Scoop
Scoop up the sauce with a spoon, working from the outside in.
2 BlotCold
Blot with a white cloth dampened in cold water.
3 DabCold
Dab on a few drops of washing-up liquid in a mug of cold water, after a patch test, and blot.
Never use a steam cleaner or hot water on it: heat sets the red.
All 5 steps in the Stain Finder Express Stainless
Stain Finder · No. 19
Tomato sauce Oil with a red-orange dye: scrape, rinse cold and break up the oil, then fade the colour, which daylight helps with.
On hard surfaces
1 WipeWarm
Wipe up with warm water and washing-up liquid.
2 Paste
Rub orange marks on plastic tubs and utensils with a paste of bicarbonate of soda and water, then rinse.
3 Daylight
Leave stained plastic on a sunny windowsill for a day: daylight fades the colour.
Never leave tomato sitting on marble or limestone: it is acidic enough to etch a dull patch.
All 4 steps in the Stain Finder Express Stainless
Stain Finder · No. 20
Yellow sweat marks Protein and oil from sweat, bound up with antiperspirant: enzymes and an oxygen soak lift it, while heat and chlorine bleach turn it more yellow.
On clothes and fabric
1 CheckCool
Check the care label, then rinse the underarms in cool water.
2 Soak
Soak them in an oxygen-based stain remover as the pack directs, within the care label.
3 Treat
Work liquid biological detergent into the marks with a soft brush or your fingertips (a wool detergent on wool and silk).
Never use chlorine bleach: it reacts with sweat and antiperspirant and turns the marks a darker yellow.
All 4 steps in the Stain Finder Express Stainless
Stain Finder · No. 20
Yellow sweat marks Protein and oil from sweat, bound up with antiperspirant: enzymes and an oxygen soak lift it, while heat and chlorine bleach turn it more yellow.
On carpets and upholstery
1 Wash
Take off and wash any cover whose label allows it.
2 MixCool
Mix a few drops of washing-up liquid into a mug of cool water, and patch test it on a hidden spot.
3 Dab
Dab the marks on the mattress, sofa or headboard with a barely damp cloth dipped in it, then blot.
Never soak a mattress or a sofa cushion: the filling stays wet inside and goes musty.
All 5 steps in the Stain Finder Express Stainless
Stain Finder · No. 20
Yellow sweat marks Protein and oil from sweat, bound up with antiperspirant: enzymes and an oxygen soak lift it, while heat and chlorine bleach turn it more yellow.
On hard surfaces
1 WipeWarm
Wipe the yellowish film on headboards, painted walls and door frames with warm water and a drop of washing-up liquid.
2 Paste
Rub a stubborn film on gloss paint or laminate gently with a paste of bicarbonate of soda and water on a soft cloth.
3 Rinse
Rinse with a damp cloth and dry.
Never use a melamine sponge on matt or silk paint: it works like fine sandpaper and takes the paint off with the mark.
The full method in the Stain Finder 
