Introduction


Whoever coined the phrase “good, clean fun” obviously wasn’t thinking of eating a rocky-road ice-cream cone while wearing a white T-shirt on a hot, summer day. “Fun” is often synonymous with “messy,” and this book is written for fun-loving people such as yourself. Field Guide to Stains is the perfect companion for those of us who’ve ever had lapses of eye-hand coordination at the dinner table, in the garage, bathroom, or elsewhere. We may not be able to teach you grace, but perhaps we can help keep you a little cleaner.

With tips on how to remove more than 100 spills and smudges, this is the ultimate book on filth and how to get rid of it. Most stains don’t talk, so we’ve included tips on how to identify an array of spots. Turn to the sections How to Identify Your Stain and the Color Guide to Stains to start playing the elimination game. Once you’ve determined the culprit, locate the stain removal method in the Field Guide, which is conveniently organized by the sources of stains: Fruits and Vegetables, Meat and Protein, Dairy Products, Sauces and Condiments, Office and School Products, and so forth. You get the idea. Even Lady Macbeth and Monica Lewinsky could find solutions to their “damned spots.” If you’re uncertain about specific terms or products mentioned in the book, look them up in the Glossary in the back of the book. We told you this was comprehensive, didn’t we?

And if all else fails, prop the book up under your chin before that next bite of lasagna!

•  Use the icon key for an at-a-glance guide to typical stain seasons, areas of occurrence, and removal techniques.