Tips:

• Blot liquid stains immediately.
• Test stain-removal product on seam allowance or hidden part of garment. If color is affected, do not use that product.
• Allow all dry cleaning solvents to completely evaporate before washing. Rinse out stain remover products before washing. Always use in well-ventilated room. Follow manufacturer's instructions when available.
• Work from back. Place stained side of fabric down. Work on absorbent surface such as clean white paper towels. Change towels often to avoid restaining.
• Treat stains promptly. Fresh stains are more easily removed.
• Read garment care label. Take non-washable items to dry cleaner. Take suede, leather or fur to dry cleaner. Point out and identify the stain.
• Avoid excessive rubbing which may damage the fibers or finish, remove the color or spread the stain.
• Do not use colored towels or cloths that may leave a dye stain. Avoid using linty cloths or paper.
• Avoid using hot water on stains of unknown origin.
• Do not use chlorine bleach on silk, wool or spandex fibers. Do not use on urethane fabrics or polyurethane foam.
• For fabrics made from a fiber blend, use stain removal method appropriate for most sensitive fiber.
• Do not iron stained fabrics. Heat may set stain.
• Line dry during stain removal process. Do not put item in dryer until stain is completely removed.
• Follow stain removal procedures until the stain is removed. Then launder the item according to label instructions. Do not dry in dryer until you are sure the stain is removed.
• Always launder items after treating to remove residues of both the stain and the stain remover.

• Soak for 15 minutes in mixture of one quart lukewarm water, one-half teaspoon liquid hand dishwashing detergent and one tablespoon white vinegar. Rinse.
• Sponge with alcohol, using light motions from center to edge of stain.
• Soak for 30 minutes in one quart warm water with one tablespoon enzyme presoak products.
• If color stain remains, launder in chlorine bleach if safe for fabric, or in oxygen

• Scrape off excess material.
• Soak for 15 minutes in mixture of one quart lukewarm water, one-half teaspoon liquid hand dishwashing detergent and one tablespoon ammonia.
• Rub gently from back to loosen stain.
• Soak another 15 minutes in above mixture. Rinse.
• Soak in enzyme product for at least 30 minutes. Soak aged stains for several hours. Launder.
• If color stain remains, launder, using chlorine bleach if safe for fabric, or with oxygen bleach.

1. Pretreat by rubbing in undiluted liquid hand dishwashing detergent. Launder in hottest water safe for fabric.
2. Treat blood stains immediately. First run cold water through stain. Then treat as above. For a blood stain that is not completely removed by this process, wet the stain with hydrogen peroxide and a few drops of ammonia. Do not leave in this mixture longer than 15 minutes. Rinse with cool water.

Oxygen

- Good for dressings, sauces, condiments, coffee, juice, etc
Oxidizers can break apart a long colored molecule, making it easier to lift away or sometimes rendering it colorless.
  e.g. Oxyclean (sodium percarbonate), Bleach (sodium hypochlorite), Peroxide

Enzymes

- Good for greasy foods, blood, grass, dirt and chocolate
An enzyme is a protein that functions as a catalyst to break apart a molecule.   e.g. Shout, Resolve Laundry

Cleaning fluid

- Good for grease, adhesives
Dissolves the stain.
  e.g. rubbing alcohol, acetone

Vinegar

Use vinegar to remove food stains from clothes.

Stain treatment Ratings, Consumer Reports review 2011 (Requires subscription)

Brand	Coffee	Wine	Sebum*	Oil
Resolve Laundary †	x	x	x	x
Shout Advanced Action	x		x	x
Shout Triple Acting	x		x	x
OxiClean	x		x
Tide Stain Release		x	x

*Sebum is the oily/waxy substance secreted by skin which produces "Ring around the colar".
† Resolve was formerly Spray Ôn Wash.
Other resolve products (e.g. Resolve Max) did not do as well.
Resolve All-Stains Pre-Treat Laundry Stain Remover is a new product not rated by CR. See below. See Consumer Reports for other products and stains.
Some products say they are "natural", but it has no standard meaning in cleaning products.

OxiClean Max Force is recommended at ConsumerSearch and About.com
See also Stain Remover Product Reviews at stain-removal-101.com
Laundry Stain Solver | Resolve®

Resolve All-Stains Pre-Treat Laundry Stain Remover
Amazon reviews:
It got a review score of 4
D. Albert says, "This product works just as well as the regular Resolve laundry stain remover. I believe it's being sold as a premium product because it is called Resolve "All Stains," with 2 types of formulas. I waited a while to do this review because we wanted to test them side by side. There was no discernible difference between the products."
Some Issues:
Oxygen and enzyme solutions are in separate tubes in the bottle. You have to be careful to dispense them evenly.
There is no built in brush.

Links:
MP663 Stain Removal From Washable Fabrics | University of Missouri Extension
Quick 'n Easy Stain Removal | Ohio State
Stain Removal Chart | Clean Living | American Cleaning Institute
Getting rid of ring around the collar | Tips and Tricks for Moms
Laundry (washing symbols - temperature - ..)
Cleaning products
Household Chemicals
Stain Removers, Consumer Reports Tests July 2011
Best Stain Removers | Top Picks and Reviews at ConsumerSearch
Top 10 Ten Stain Removers for Laundry | About.com
Stain Remover Product Reviews at stain-removal-101.com