Burn marks: Boil the burnt piece of clothing at a low temperature with 1-cup (250 ml) soap and 1/2 litre milk. You can also dab with white vinegar. If the clothing is cotton, wool or silk, dab the spot with hydrogen peroxide. Works only on lightly scorched stains.

Chlorine: If you have splattered chlorine on your coloured clothing, there is nothing you can do. The discoloured spots will not go away. If it is only one little spot, you might be able to rectify the mistake by covering the spot with water-resistant marker in the same colour as the garment.

Chocolate: Soak the stain in soap, clear dishwashing liquid or glycerine then wash. If there are oil stains remaining, remove with carbonated water. Alternative: Soak the garment in whole milk for approximately 15 minutes then scrub the stain until it disappears.

Coffee: Use glycerine or milk. Rub glycerine into the stain and let it set overnight. Or, rub glycerol into the stain and soak in milk.
Coloured chalk: Dab the stain with benzine using a cloth or a soft brush/toothbrush.

Curry: A significant ingredient in curry is turmeric, which is also used as a textile dye, so it is essential to react quickly. Pour glycerine on the stain and let it set overnight. Pour a little clear dishwashing liquid on the stain and let it stand for 5-6 hours. Alternative: Dab with a mixture of turpentine oil, 8% undiluted ammonia and brown soap.

Deodorant stains: Dab with a mixture of 1 part white vinegar to 4 parts water. Rinse. Or moisten the stain with water, rub a little baking powder on it and let it work over night.

Egg: Rub with clear dishwashing liquid and place in a plastic bag 4-5 hours.

Fats: Most fatty stains come out in the normal wash, but you can safeguard your efforts by dabbing the stain with clear dishwashing liquid and letting it set in a plastic bag for some hours.

Food colouring: Dab with clear dishwashing liquid and let work 5-6 hours. Alternative: Soak a few hours in a mixture of half water and half glycerine. If the stain is still visible after washing, dab with benzine or a mixture of ammonia 25% and water (1 tbs. ammonia to 1 l water).

Fruit juice: Rinse the spot immediately with water as hot as the fabric can take. If the stain is not completely gone, dab with clear dishwashing liquid or soak in warm milk. If necessary, rub the stain with liquid glycerine and let it set for 10 hours, or moisten with diluted acetic acid or hydrogen peroxide.

Grass: Pour glycerine on the stain and let it work for 10-15 minutes. Alternative: brush with toothpaste.

Juice: Rinse the spot immediately with water as hot as the fabric can take. If the stain is not completely gone, dab with clear dishwashing liquid or soak in warm milk. If necessary, rub the stain with liquid glycerine and let it set for 10 hours, or moisten with diluted acetic acid or hydrogen peroxide.

Part II - stains form Ketchup to Vomit - can be found in our Stain guide II >>