How about something NOT dealing with food?...

How to Clean Stains

STAIN BUSTER: RED WINE

Fabric
1. Sponge the spot with cool water or soak for about 30 minutes in a basin of cool water.
2. Pretreat with a prewash stain remover.
3. Launder. If it's safe for the fabric, add chlorine bleach to the wash.

Upholstery
1. Blot up as much of the spilled wine as possible.
2. Mix one tablespoon of liquid hand dishwashing detergent with two cups of cool water.
3. Using a clean white cloth, sponge the stain with the detergent solution.
4. Blot until the liquid is absorbed.
5. Repeat Steps 3 and 4 until the stain disappears.
6. Sponge with cold water and blot dry.

OR

1. Using a clean white cloth, sponge the stain with a dry-cleaning solvent.
2. Blotuntil the solvent is absorbed.
3. Repeat Steps 1 and 2 until the stain disappears.

Carpet
1. Blot up as much of the spilled wine as possible.
2. Use plain water or mix one tablespoon of liquid hand dishwashing detergent and one tablespoon of white vinegar with two cups of warm water.
3. Using a clean white cloth, sponge the stain with plain water or the detergent/vinegar solution. Apply a little bit at a time, blotting frequently with a dry cloth until the stain disappears.
4.If using a detergent/vinegar solution, sponge with cold water and blot dry.

Worth a Try
If all else fails to remove the red wine stain (especially on a white carpet), mix one part hand dishwashing detergent with two parts hydrogen peroxide. Sponge on; blot off. Rinse well. Be sure to test first in an inconspicuous spot to make sure the solution doesn't harm the color of the carpet.

STAIN BUSTER: CHEWING GUM

Fabric
1. If the gum is still soft, freeze the item to harden the gum; scrape off excess gum.
2. Sponge with a dry-cleaning solvent.
3. Pretreat with a prewash stain remover.
4. Launder.

Upholstery
1. If the gum is still soft, freeze it by directly applying an ice cube; scrape off excess gum.
2. Using a clean white cloth, sponge the stain with a dry-cleaning solvent.
3. Blot until the solvent is absorbed.
4. Repeat Steps2 and 3 until the stain disappears.

Carpet
1. If the gum is still soft, freeze it by directly applying an ice cube; scrape off excess gum.
2. Using a clean white cloth, sponge the stain with a dry-cleaning solvent.
3. Blot until thesolvent is absorbed.
4. Repeat Steps 2 and 3 until the stain disappears or is no longer absorbed into the cloth.
5. If the stain remains, mix one tablespoon of liquid hand dishwashing detergent and one tablespoon of white vinegar with two cups of warm water.
6. Sponge the stain with the detergent/vinegar solution.
7. Blot until the liquid is absorbed.
8. Sponge with cold water and blot dry.

Worth a Try
In a pinch, rubbing white vinegar (full strength) into the gum may soften it enough to pry the gum away from the fabric.

STAIN BUSTER: CHOCOLATE

Fabric
1. Scrape off excess chocolate.
2. Pretreat with a prewash stain remover.
3. Launder.
4. If the stain remains, launder again, using the type of bleach that's safe for the fabric.

Upholstery
1. Scrape off excess chocolate.
2. Mix one tablespoon of liquid hand dishwashing detergent with two cups of cool water.
3. Using a clean white cloth, sponge the stain with the detergent solution.
4. Blot until the liquid is absorbed.
5. Repeat Steps 3 and 4 until the stain disappears.
6. Sponge with cold water and blot dry.

OR

1. Using a clean white cloth, sponge the stain with a dry-cleaning solvent.
2. Blot until the solvent is absorbed.
3. Repeat Steps 1 and 2 until the stain disappears.

Carpet
1. Scrape off excess chocolate.
2. Mix one tablespoon of liquid hand dishwashing detergent with two cups of warm water.
3. Using a clean white cloth, sponge the stain with the detergent solution.
4. Blot until the liquid is absorbed.
5. Repeat Steps 3 and 4 until the stain disappears or is no longer absorbed into the cloth.
6. If the stain remains, mix one tablespoon of ammonia (Caution: Never mix chlorine bleach and ammonia- the resulting fumes are hazardous) with two cups of warm water.
7. Sponge the stain with the ammonia solution.
8. Blot until the liquid is absorbed.
9. Sponge with cold water and blot dry.

STAIN BUSTER: COFFEE

Fabric
1. Sponge the stain with cool water or soak the item for about 30 minutes in cool water.
2. Pretreat with a prewash stain remover.
3. Launder. If it's safe for the fabric, add chlorine bleach to the wash.

Upholstery
1. Mix one tablespoon of liquid hand dishwashing detergent with two cups of cool water.
2. Using a clean white cloth, sponge the stain with the detergent solution.
3. Blot until the liquid is absorbed.
4. Repeat Steps 2 and 3 until the stain disappears.
5. Sponge with cold water and blot dry.

OR

1. Using a clean white cloth, sponge the stain with a dry-cleaning solvent.
2. Blot until the solvent is absorbed.
3. Repeat Steps 1 and 2 until the stain disappears.

Carpet
1. Blot up as much of the spilled coffee as possible.
2. Use plain water or mix one tablespoon of liquid hand dishwashing detergent and one tablespoon of white vinegar with two cups of warm water.
3. Using a clean white cloth, sponge the stain with plain water or the detergent/vinegar solution. Apply a little bit at a time, blotting frequently with a dry cloth until the stain disappears.
4. If using a detergent/vinegar solution, sponge with cold water and blot dry to remove the solution.

Coffee and Cream
If there's cream (or milk) in the coffee that caused the stain, be sure to use an enzyme laundry detergent when washing the stained item.

STAIN BUSTER: CRAYONS

Fabric
1. If the crayon is soft, freeze the fabric to harden the crayon, and then scrape off the excess.
2. Place the stain between clean paper towels and press with a warm iron to transfer the stain to the paper towels. Replace the paper towels frequently to absorb more crayon and prevent transferring the stain to other places on the fabric.
3. Pretreat with a prewash stain remover. Blot and let dry.
4. Launder with bleach that's appropriate for thefabric. If any color remains, rewash the item using chlorine bleach, if safe for the fabric, or oxygen bleach.

OR

1. Place the stain face down on a pad of paper towels. Spray with WD-40 and let it stand for a few minutes. Turn the fabric over and spray again with WD-40.
2. Apply liquid hand dishwashing detergent and work it into the stain. Replace the paper towels underneath as they absorb the stain.
3. Launder with chlorine bleach (if safe for the fabric) or oxygen bleach and the hottest water that's safe for the fabric. Rinse in warm water.

Upholstery
1. If the crayon is soft, freeze it by applying an ice cube wrapped in a small plastic bag, and then scrape off the excess crayon.
2. Using a clean white cloth, sponge the stain with a dry-cleaning solvent.
3. Blot until the solvent is absorbed.
4. Repeat Steps 2 and 3 until the stain disappears.

OR

1. If the crayon is soft, freeze it by applying an ice cube wrapped in a small plastic bag, and then scrape off the excess crayon.
2. Spray the stain with WD-40 and let it stand for a few minutes.
3. Tamp the stain. Wipe off residue with a paper towel.
4. Respray with WD-40, then apply liquid hand dishwashing detergent directlyon the sprayed area.
5. Tamp again. Wipe off the residue with a paper towel.
6. Repeat Steps 2 to 5 until the stain disappears.

Carpet
1. If the crayon is soft, freeze it by applying an ice cube wrapped in a small plastic bag, andthen scrape off the excess crayon.
2. Cover the stain with a clean white cloth and press, using the tip of a warm iron. Repeat, using a clean portion of the cloth until all the wax is transferred from the carpet to the cloth.
3. If a color stain remains, sponge the stain with a dry-cleaning solvent.

OR

1. If the crayon is soft, freeze it by applying an ice cube wrapped in a small plastic bag, and then scrape off the excess crayon.
2. Spray the stain with WD-40 and let it stand for a few minutes.
3. Tamp the stain. Wipe off residue with a paper towel.
4. Respray with WD-40, then apply liquid hand dishwashing detergent directly on the sprayed area.
5. Tamp again. Wipe off the residue with a paper towel.
6. RepeatSteps 2 to 5 until the stain disappears.

Crayon Care
If crayons are accidentally laundered with clothes, you may end up with a whole load of crayon stains. Rewash the clothes with hot water, detergent, and one cup of baking soda. If the color still remains, launder using chlorine bleach, if safe for the fabric. If chlorine bleach isn't an option, pretreat or soak with oxygen bleach or an enzyme laundry product, using the hottest water safe for the fabric. Soak for at least 30 minutes, and then launder.

Removing Crayon from the Dryer Drum
If crayon stains invade your dryer, spray a soft cloth with WD-40 and wipe the drum. Wash spots with a damp, sudsy cloth and rinse with a damp cloth. To make sure the drum is clean, run a load of dry rags through a drying cycle.

STAIN BUSTER: PAINT, LATEX (ACRYLIC/WATER-BASED)

Fabric
1. Scrape off excess paint.
2. Working from the back of the fabric, vigorously flush the stain under warm running water.
3. Mix a solution of one part liquid hand dishwashing detergent to one part warm water.
4. Sponge the stain with the detergent solution, tamping it vigorously.
5. Rinse.
6. Repeat Steps 4 and 5 until no more paint is removed.
7. If the stain remains, try blotting with acetone (Caution: Do not use acetone on fabrics containing acetate or triacetate. It will melt these fibers!).

Upholstery
1. Scrape off excess paint.
2. Mix a solution of one part liquid hand dishwashing detergent to one part cool water.
3. Sponge the stain with the detergent solution, tamping it vigorously.
4. Rinse.
5. Repeat Steps 3 and 4 until no more paint is removed.
6. If the stain remains, try blotting with acetone.

Carpet
1. Scrape off excess paint.
2. Starting at the outer edge of the stain, apply acrylic paint and varnish remover (available at hardware and paint stores). Gently scrape away the paint as it softens. Repeat, using the remover sparingly, until you have removed as much paint as possible.
3. If any paint remains, work glycerin into the stain and let it soak for several hours.
4. Sponge the stain with a mild solution of liquid hand dishwashing detergent. Tamp vigorously.
5. Blot until the liquid is absorbed.
6. Sponge with a solution of one part white vinegar to ten parts water.
7. Blot until the liquid is absorbed.
8. Sponge with cold water and blot dry.

Contain the Stain
When working on carpet stains, keep the paint and varnish remover from spreading the stain. Otherwise, you may create a new type of stain. To avoid this, work on the individual tufts, carefully applying the remover and working it in so it doesn't spread to the surrounding tufts.

Don't Let the Paint Dry!
Treat paint stains as promptlyas possible. Once the paint dries, the stain may be impossible to remove.

STAIN BUSTER: GREASE

Fabric
1. Pretreat with a prewash stain remover.
2. Launder, using the hottest water safe for the fabric.

Upholstery
1. Scrape off excess grease.
2. Sprinkle baking soda, cornstarch, orother absorbent on the stain. Let stand 10 to 15 minutes, and then vacuum.
3. Using a clean white cloth, sponge the stain with a dry-cleaning solvent.
4. Blot until the solvent is absorbed.
5. Repeat Steps 3 and 4 until the stain disappears.

Carpet
1. Scrape off excess grease.
2. Sprinkle baking soda, cornstarch, or other absorbent on the stain. Let stand for 10 to 15 minutes, and then vacuum.
3. Using a clean white cloth, sponge the stain with a dry-cleaning solvent.
4.Blot until the solvent is absorbed.
5. If the stain remains, mix one tablespoon of liquid hand dishwashing detergent and one tablespoon of white vinegar with two cups of warm water. Sponge the stain with this solution. Blot until the liquid is absorbed.
6. Sponge with cold water and blot dry to remove the detergent/vinegar solution.

STAIN BUSTER: IRON SCORCH MARKS

Fabric
1. Using an eye dropper, apply hydrogen peroxide to the stain. Add a drop or two of ammonia.
2. Let it stand from several minutes up to an hour. Don't let the stain dry. Keep it moist withhydrogen peroxide and ammonia.
3. Flush with water.
4. Launder, using oxygen bleach, if safe for the fabric.

Quick Scorch Tricks
If you scorch an item while ironing it, there are two fast and easy ways to repair the damage. The trick is to do one of them immediately.
A) If you have time, rub liquid laundry detergent into the scorch mark and launder the item right away, using liquid laundry detergent and oxygen bleach, if safe for the fabric.
B) If you need to wear or use the item immediately and the scorch marks are slight, lightly rub white distilled vinegar on the fabric. Wipe with a clean cloth.
Heavily scorched fabrics where the fibers are burned and damaged can't be returned to their original state. Nor can melted or shiny areas.

STAIN BUSTER: RUST

Fabric
A commercial rust remover (available in supermarkets and hardware stores) is the best way to remove rust. Because these products contain toxic acids, caution is required. Be sure to read and follow the label directions carefully.

Upholstery and Carpet
For small spots, try a commercial rust remover. For large or stubborn spots, call in a professional cleaner.

Worth a Try
If other methods fail to lighten the rust stain, place the item in the sun, apply lemon juice to the stain, and sprinkle it with salt. As the item dries, keep reapplying the lemon juice and salt.

Bleach and Rust Alert!
NEVER use a product with bleach on a rust stain. It will create a chemical reaction that sets the stain.

STAIN BUSTER: CANDLE WAX

Fabric
1. If the wax is still soft, freeze the item to harden the wax, and then scrape off the excess wax.
2. Sponge with a dry-cleaning solvent.
3. Place the stain between clean paper towels and press with a warm iron to transfer the wax to the paper towels. Replace the paper towels frequently to absorb more wax and prevent transferring the stain to other places on the fabric.
4. Pretreat with a prewash stain remover.
5. Launder, using chlorine bleach, if safe for the fabric, or oxygen bleach.
6. If any color remains, rewash.

Upholstery
1. If the wax is still soft, freeze it by applying an ice cube wrapped in a small plastic bag, and then scrape off the excess wax.
2. Using a clean white cloth, sponge the stain with a dry-cleaning solvent.
3. Blot until the solvent is absorbed.
4. Repeat Steps 2 and 3 until the stain disappears.

Carpet
1. If the wax is still soft, freeze it by applying an ice cubewrapped in a small plastic bag, and then scrape off the excess wax.
2. Sponge with a dry-cleaning solvent.
3. Cover the stain with a clean white cloth and press, using the tip of a warm iron to transfer the wax to the cloth. Repeat, using a clean portion of the cloth until all the wax is transferred from the carpet to the cloth.
4. If a color stain remains, sponge the stain again with a dry-cleaning solvent.
5. Blot dry.