How to remove common stains

Getting rid of difficult stains doesn't have to be a mission - just follow these handy stain removal tips.

You don't always need the help of a professional dry-cleaner to remove common stains. Follow these tips and remove stubborn marks in the comfort of your own home:

Tea and coffee
Accidents happen, but there's nothing more frustrating than spilling your morning cup of tea or coffee on your clean clothes. The best way to get rid of these stains is to wash them immediately in warm (not hot) water. If the stain has time to soak in, you might have to move to more drastic measures:
- Mix 3 tablespoons of salt in half a cup of water.
- Soak your clothes in the mixture and then pop it into the washing machine or rinse by hand.
- If the stain isn't fully removed after the wash, then beat an egg in a cup and blot the mixture onto the stain on your shirt, but never rub it in.
- Wash it in warm water and allow it to dry.

Deodorant
White vinegar is known to help get rid of white marks caused by antiperspirant or deodorant. All you need to do is soak the stained shirt in half a cup of white vinegar for 30 minutes. Then wash it normally in your washing machine using warm water. A handy tip to avoid this type of stain is to ensure your deodorant or antiperspirant roll-on is completely dry before getting dressed.

Gum
Chewing gum is probably one of the hardest stains to remove from clothes. But before you throw away expensive items because of gum, do the following:
- Hold ice on the stain to harden the chewing gum and scrape it off gently with a knife.
- Apply some egg white to the stain to further detach it from your clothing.
- Use an old toothbrush to brush off any excess gum.
- Wash in warm water and rinse as normal.

Wax
Wax stains are more common than you think. It's easy to get candle wax on your clothes, especially if you're having a romantic dinner or preparing for one. To remove these kinds of stains, simply cover the stained area with a paper towel. Apply a warm iron to the area - this will lift the wax and transfer it from your clothes to the paper towel. Mix 5 tablespoons of washing detergent in a cup of water and blot the mixture onto the stain. Then simply rinse with warm water.

Blood
To get rid of stubborn blood stains, flush the affected area with cold water. Rub a teaspoon of meat tenderiser into the stained area - make sure that the whole area is covered. Cover the damp stain with a paper towel and leave overnight. Wash the item normally the next day, repeating the process if necessary.

Ink
Ink stains are common and usually a nightmare to remove. But if you're armed with hairspray - you may have to call your lady in on this one - washing powder and a dry cloth, then it's no sweat:
- Spray the stain with hairspray until it's slightly soaked, and then rub it with a dry cloth.
- Apply detergent and a bit of water onto the stain and let it soak for 15 minutes.
- Wash the item normally.
- If the stain persists, repeat the process.