It’s so easy to get a stain on your fabric, so why does it have to be so hard to get rid of it? Not only is it hard, it can be expensive too! Physicists are always harping on about how matter can neither be created nor destroyed, but cleaners have known that for years. It’s called the Law of the Conservation of Filth; you can’t make something clean without making something else dirty.

The opposite is equally true in that you can make everything dirty without making anything clean. Scientific and philosophical ruminations aside, the two basic ways of removing fabric stains, or rather, of moving certain molecules from one resting place to another resting place, are bleaching and dissolving the stain.

The common spots and fabric stains below need not become insurmountable blots. Follow these simple tips to get rid of them completely and permanently.

General Fabric Stain Removal Tips

* Soap and water will get fabric stains out. Most fabric manufacturers recommend using a mixture of soap and water and then spreading lightly (not pouring) it over the affected area. Scrub thoroughly and then dab dry with an absorbent towel. Make sure you dry it as thoroughly as possible.

* Steam cleaning will remove fabric stains. If soap and water don’t work, try renting a powerful steam cleaner with a hand-held attachment. Whatever you do, don’t use harsh chemicals and make sure you do your best to dry the area you’ve cleaned. An absorbent powder like baking soda probably wouldn’t hurt.

* Dry cleaning; reserve it only as a last resort, but it’s a very viable choice for fabric stain removal.

* Keep a special spot and stain remover kit handy. The kit should contain a clean white terry cloth, a white absorbent cloth to see if the stain is coming out, dishwashing detergent, disinfectant solution, household ammonia, white vinegar, dry cleaning fluid, bleach, odor eliminator, CLR, hydrogen peroxide, non-oily nail polish remover, acetone, a mop, sponges and a bucket.

You also need a spotting brush, putty knife and a scraper. You will be able to find other products that can make your job easier and work better the more you start removing spots and stains on a regular basis. You will get to use this stain removing kit on specific stains in the next column.

Specific Fabric Stain Removal Tips

* Alcohol stains need to be blotted. After blotting, use a sponge and water on the spot. Next, apply a sponge with vinegar, blot the stain again, and rinse the area thoroughly. You might need to use bleach and hydrogen peroxide if nothing else works.

* Scrape a bloodstain all you can at first. The next step is to blot it with cool water. If there is still a residual stain, blot it with ammonia and rinse well. Use hydrogen peroxide if nothing else works.

* Candle wax can be scraped off with a scraper. Then apply a clean cloth over the spot and take a warm iron to melt and absorb the wax into the cloth. Use dry cleaning fluid to pick up the remaining residue.

* Chocolate stains needs to be scraped first as well, and sponged with dry cleaning fluid. Sponge the spot with detergent solution, blot, and rinse. Use a correct bleach solution or hydrogen peroxide if nothing else takes it out. Blot coffee with detergent solution and then rinse the area. Blot it with vinegar, rinse carefully, and air dry.

* To remove ink stains, sponge them with detergent solution and then rinse thoroughly. If the stain remains, saturate it with cheap hair spray and blot the area. Or try alcohol, acetone, or non-oily nail polish remover and bleach that are safe for fabric, in that order.

* Dry brush mildew on the surface as best you can. Sponge it cautiously with disinfectant solution and blot. Sponge it next with ammonia and rinse. Attack the stain with chlorine bleach if it is safe for fabric; if not, use hydrogen peroxide.

* Mustard and catsup stains should be scraped and blotted to remove as much as you can. Sponge these stains with detergent solution, then with vinegar or bleach, and rinse.

Remember, if bleaching is going to make the stain disappear, it is going to bring that about within fifteen minutes. Do not bleach a garment for longer than that, for it will make the fabric weak. Color removers are also available, but they tend to remove some of the color from the fabric itself as well.

* You can remove rust stains with rust remover from the hardware store. Or you can use salt and lemon juice, which takes a while, but will work. Acetic acid, a mild acid found in vinegars, is also a good rust remover.

CLR is a very powerful anti-rust agent; a common bathroom cleaning solution, the "Calcium Lime Rust" product is yet another way to remove rust stains, among other stains.

* For tar and grease stains, scrape up as much as you can. Then remove lingering residue by blotting with dry cleaning fluid. After that, blot them with detergent solution, and then rinse.

* Flipping cushions over to hide stains is often a quick and easy solution, especially when it comes to noticeable ink stains. Before you start flipping and rotating, try using rubbing alcohol to lift the stain.

Unconventional Remedies for Fabric Stains

* Blood. Believe it or not, it can come out. This trick depends on how much blood there is. First, you want to treat the stain with a cold water and table salt mixture (2 tablespoons of salt to 1 quart of water). Rinse and blot with a towel. If the stain persists, try using diluted ammonia.

* Candle Wax. Luckily, you have more than one way to clean up this stain. The first step is to gently scrape away the surface wax with a spatula or a dull knife. Now you have two options: you can either spot clean with a water-free cleaning solvent or you can get creative. Getting creative involves covering the spot with several layers of paper towels and applying a warm iron. This should heat the wax and make it easy to scrape off.

* Chewing Gum. If you think the only way to get chewing gum out of your fabric is by the same method you got it out of your child’s hair, hopefully you found this guide first. All you have to do is freeze the gum with ice and then use a spatula or dull knife to remove it.

* Mud. Whether it is there from your pets or your kids, the fact is the stain is there and it needs to be given the appropriate attention. The first step is to lift away whatever can be removed easily with a spatula or a dull knife. Let the mud dry, and then vacuum it. If the stain persists, clean it with a cloth dampened with ammonia-water solution.

* Vomit. You wouldn’t expect vomit stains to come out very easily. The truth is that they can be easily removed if you follow these steps. Begin by treating the stain with cold water. Follow up with unseasoned meat tenderizer (seriously). Let is sit for 10-15 minutes and then rinse, let dry, and vacuum.

* Wine and Alcohol. Sometimes parties can really get out of hand. You’re going to have to take a couple extra steps with this stain. Spot clean only with water-based shampoo or foam upholstery cleaner. Make sure that you pretest for color loss and fabric compatibility. Do not over-wet.

Fabric stain FAQ

* What are “invisible stains”?

Many stains that are caused by food, oily substances, or beverages may become invisible when they dry. But later on, with exposure to heat or the passage of time, a yellow or brownish stain will appear. This is caused by the oxidation or caramelizing of the sugar in the staining substance. It is the same process that makes a peeled apple turn brown after exposure to air.

When an oily substance is exposed to heat or ages in a garment for an extended time, it also oxidizes. This type of stain can be distinguished by the irregular "cross pattern" the oil makes when it follows the fabric fibers. Oily substances are successfully removed in dry cleaning unless they are left to oxidize. Once they become yellow or brown, they become much more difficult to remove.

* How can you avoid dark fabrics from fading after repeated washing?

You may be able to extend the look of the blacks and brightly colored garments by using Woolite® Dark Laundry fabric wash, which is made to minimize fading of dark colors. If only mildly dirty, wash in small washer load, or wash separately on delicate, or hand wash.

You can also turn the garments inside out to wash. This reduces the amount of abrasion the clothes experience during washing. Use mild detergent and avoid using too much detergent. Harsh detergents are hard on dyes.

Fabric Stain Prevention Tips

* Wash a stained garment as soon as possible, preferably within a few days, to prevent the stain from setting.

* Never put a garment away with spills or stains on it. The warmth of a closet and exposure to natural or artificial light and to the atmosphere can contribute to setting a stain.

* Do not iron stained or soiled clothes; this will set stains and drive the soil deeper into the fabric. Always have soiled clothes cleaned or washed before ironing.