Introduction

Welcome to Spotless A–Z – your one-stop shop for stain removal. Now, solutions are even easier to find in this A–Z guide. Not only that, it also features brand-new stains, surfaces and solutions – from pesto to pomegranate, fake tan to faux fur, hoisin sauce to hummus – as well as old favourites – from red wine to rust, banana to butter, moths to mayonnaise.

It’s almost a decade since Spotless: Room-by-room solutions to domestic disasters became a must-have staple in homes across Australia – and the world. Its tried-and-true remedies have rescued many an accidental stain maker. The solutions are based on basic chemistry with an emphasis on low-toxicity stain removal. Mix an acid, such as white vinegar, with an alkali, such as bicarbonate of soda, and you get a cleaning reaction.

As mentioned in previous books, there are a couple of tricks with stain removal. First, don’t panic and put something on the stain that could make it worse. Instead, work out what the stain is made of – protein, carbohydrate, fats, dye, resins or glue – and apply its solvent. If the stain has multiple components, first remove proteins – these have a dark ring around their edge – using pH neutral soap and cold water. Then remove carbohydrates – which are dark in the centre and feel stiff – using pH neutral soap and blood-heat (body temperature) water. Next come fats that feel greasy between your fingers. These are removed by emulsifying the stain with dishwashing liquid. Dyes, glues and resins need specific solvents, such as acetone, methylated spirits and white spirits. If you’re unsure, test an inconspicuous part of the stain by applying the solvent on a cotton bud and see what works.

The other rules of stain removal include:

• The sooner you get to the stain, the easier it is to remove.
• More is not better. Use the least amount of solvent possible.
• Oils ain’t oils. Darker coloured oils, such as engine grease, are removed with baby oil first then dishwashing liquid. Lighter coloured oils, such as olive oil, are removed with dishwashing liquid.
• It’s best to dry most clothing in sunshine because it’s a natural disinfectant and gentler on the fibres than a dryer. Some items must be dried in sunshine to remove stains. Remove items from the clothesline as soon as they dry – don’t leave them hanging for days or they will deteriorate and fade. Dry silk and wool in the shade. Ensure silk is dried away from the wind so the fibres don’t tangle and leave a dusty look. If you don’t have a clothesline outside, use a clothes airer inside. Make sure enough air can circulate around the items. If you must use a dryer, add a dry tea towel to speed the drying time.
• Blood-heat water is water at body temperature – 37°C. Test the temperature on your inside wrist as you would a baby’s bottle.
• Use pure acetone, not nail polish remover.
• Consult care labels.
• If in doubt, test first on an inconspicuous area using a cotton bud.

We’ve tried to include every stain imaginable but new ones pop up all the time. If you have a stain that isn’t featured, consult ‘Mystery Stains’ to help you work out the solution. We wish you well in your stain removal.