Stain Guide A–Z
Find your stain and get step-by-step instructions
Blood
Blood contains hemoglobin and other proteins that coagulate — just like an egg — when exposed to heat. This makes the blood stain permanent if you choose the wrong water temperature.
Deodorant
White deodorant marks on dark garments are aluminum salts that have left the fabric. Yellow stains under the arms are a chemical reaction between aluminum chloride in antiperspirant and sweat proteins.
Feces
Fecal stains, common on children's clothing.
Lipstick
Lipstick is fat-based with strong pigments.
Makeup / Foundation
Foundation is fat-based and settles into textile fibers.
Mascara
Mascara is fat-based makeup.
Sweat
Yellow sweat stains are not caused by sweat itself but by the reaction between sweat proteins and the aluminum salts in antiperspirant. This forms a yellow-brown chemical compound that binds to the fabric.
Urine
Urine stains and odor.
Vomit
Stains and odor from vomit.