Try to act quickly, as fresh stains are far easier to remove.
Keep these tools of the trade:
Here's a run-down on how to deal with some common stains.
Alcohol: Sponge off straight away, then dab with cold water then with glycerine. Put immediately into a washing machine on a hot wash (check the washing instructions) without adding any washing detergent as the soap will make the alcohol stain. Soak tough stains for 30 minutes in 1/4 pt/150 ml water and 1 teaspoon of commercial stain remover.
Asphalt or tar: Using an ice cube, rub the stain until hard, then scrape off with a knife. If there is still a stain use spot cleaner, placing a piece of kitchen towel on the reverse side.
Baby faeces: Scrape off whatever you can, then soak the garment in cold water for a few hours before washing on a warm wash, adding a cup of white vinegar to your wash; hot water will make the stain worse.
Blood: Soak in cold salt water for a couple of hours, then rub in some baking soda and put in the washing machine. If there is still a stain, use a spot cleaner.
Butter, grease and oil: Cover with talcum powder or flour to absorb the grease and leave overnight. Brush off the talc. Rub on Green Fairy soap and wash in the washing machine according to washing instructions.
Candle wax: Scrape off as much of the wax as you can. Place the stain between two folded paper towels or brown paper bags and press with a warm, not hot, iron. Again scrape off any residue with a knife. Rub with Green Fairy soap and wash as normal.
Chewing gum: Put in the freezer until the gum has hardened, then it should pull away from the fabric. Or, rub egg white into the gum and leave for a few minutes, then scrape off and wash as normal.
Chocolate and cocoa: Soak the garment in lukewarm water for an hour, then rub on Green Fairy soap and wash as normal.
Coffee and tea: A fresh stain can be removed by rubbing in glycerine and leaving overnight. Wash as normal.
Correction fluid: If it is fresh, apply alcohol, leave a few minutes, then wash as normal. If it has gone hard, scrape off the crust and soak in soapy lukewarm water; hot water will make it go hard. Then rub with Green Fairy soap before washing as normal.
Dairy products: Soak in lukewarm soapy water, then rub with Green Fairy soap and wash as normal.
Deodorant: Sponge with white vinegar and leave for an hour. Wash as normal.
Dinginess, yellowing and greying: This can often be caused by too much or too little of the right washing detergents. Check that you are using the correct quantities. Wash with the correct amount and use fabric whitener and brightener.
Egg: Scrape as much away as you can with a blunt knife. Soak in cold water for half an hour, then rub with Green Fairy soap and wash as normal.
Fruit juices: Soak immediately in lukewarm water for about an hour, then rub with Green Fairy soap.
Fruit stains such as cherry, blueberry and strawberry: Keep away from hot water and ensure that you have removed all the stain before your garment is ironed or you will caramelise the sugar and create a permanent brown stain. Soak in commercial stain remover for at least 30 minutes before washing as normal.
Glue, PVA: Soak in cold water and agitate the glue; leave for about an hour. Scrape off all the residue with a blunt knife, then rub with Green Fairy soap and wash as normal.
Glue, such as sticky tape: Rub ice on to the glue until it hardens, then you can gently scrape it off with a knife. Or rub Green Fairy soap on to it, leave for 10 minutes, then rinse off.
Glue: Sponge with vinegar (any sort will do). Leave for half an hour then scrape off with a blunt knife. Soak in very hot water (check washing instructions) before washing.
Grass: Soak in cold water for an hour, Mix with 1 part alcohol and 2 parts water, pour over the area and leave overnight. Wash as normal.
Gravy: Soak in warm water for half an hour, then rub with green Fairy soap and leave for a few hours. Wash as normal.
Ink, permanent: This is almost impossible to remove unless you catch it straight away. Soak the stain in a mix of three tablespoons of household bleach into a washing up bowl of lukewarm water for a few hours. Wash as normal.
Ink: Run under cold water, then cover with lemon juice for 10 minutes before washing as normal.
Lipstick: Blot with a tissue to soak up the residue, then rub with Green Fairy soap and leave for an hour. Wash as normal.
Make-up: Soak in commercial stain remover for an hour then wash as normal.
Marker pens: Soak in very hot water with a cup of bicarbonate of soda and leave overnight. Wash as normal.
Mildew: Brush off all the mildew and treat with lemon juice. Leave for a few hours, then wash as normal
Mud: Scrape off with a blunt knife. Soak in warm soapy water and agitate for about half an hour, then wash as normal.
Nail polish: Place the garment on some paper towels and pour on nail polish remover. Change the towels every few minutes, then wash as normal.
Paint (water based): Do not rub in the stain - leave it alone and soak immediately in cold water. Squirt with washing up liquid and rub, then wash as normal.
Paint, oil-based: Rub off immediately with white spirit, then wash as normal. Or rub butter on to the stain and leave for a few hours, then scrape off the butter with a blunt knife then sprinkle with talcum powder. Wash as normal.
Rust: Soak in a mixture of salt and lemon juice, then wash as normal. If this does not work, buy a rust-removing product.
Sap from trees: Rub with green Fairy soap and leave for a few minutes, then wash as normal.
Scorch marks: Gently remove the charring with a soft brush. Rub washing up liquid into the stain and leave for a few hours, then wash as normal.
Smoke and soot: Shake off any excess and rub with a heavy-duty phosphate-based detergent such as Green Fairy soap and one cup of water softener. Rinse out and dry on a washing line.
Stains on leather: Do not attempt to do this yourself; take the garment to a professional cleaner.
Strong odours: Most odours can be dealt with in a normal wash but if you have a bad one like cat pee or old sweat smells, simply place the garment on some newspaper on a tray and sprinkle with cat litter. Leave for a few days, then wash as normal.
Sweat: Sprinkle on baking bicarbonate of soda and leave for a few hours, then wash as normal. If this does not work then rub with Green Fairy soap and wash as normal.
Tomato ketchup: Soak the stain in cold water, then dry off, cover with glycerine and leave for a few hours. Rinse off, rub with Green Fairy soap and wash as usual.
Urine and vomit: Scrape off as much as you can. Soak in cold water and agitate the stain. Rinse off, then soak in commercial stain remover overnight before washing as normal.
Water stains: Rub a little Green Fairy soap on to the stain before washing; this will remove all the stain.
Wine: Boil up some milk, immerse the stained area in the milk for a few minutes until you see the stain disappearing. Then rinse under the tap with warm water and rub with Green Fairy soap. Wash as normal.
Yellowing: Add whitener and brightener to your wash.