Whether you're a family person dealing with mess-prone children, or an individual who's had one or two accidents with a sauce-covered fork in their past, the chances are you'll eventually need some tips on how to remove clothing stains. We spend so much time enjoying our favorite clothes that it's practically impossible to ensure that we never mess them up. Although you may never see a stain coming, certain foods seem to be magnetized towards our clothes, leading to seemingly impossible-to-remove marks that ruin a much-loved outfit or a child's school uniform.

Rather than having to purchase a new shirt every time you struggle with a particularly stubborn spot of grease or tomato sauce, take some time to learn the tips and tricks that really work, and you'll master the art of stain removal in no time.

Tip 1: Act Fast!

First and foremost, the most important tip to follow in getting rid of stains is to act as quickly as possible. You are far more likely to remove clothing stains if you get the item in the wash as soon as it's been affected, as the longer a stain sits – the more likely it is to become permanent.
 
Of course, this can be a problem if you don't have the opportunity to stop whatever you're doing and get around the laundry straightaway. If you don't have the time to rush to the washing machine, do what you can to pre-treat the stain with a product that is safe for long exposure – such as a stain stick that you can pick up at your local market. Be cautious about using pre-treatment sprays as these can make clothing damp and lead to unwanted mildew.

Tip 2: Use Lemon Juice

As sour and acidic as it may seem, lemon juice is a fantastic agent for bleaching when you have an emergency clothing problem. If you happen to stain your precious whites when out at a local bar, don't be afraid to ask for a slice of lemon with your next drink. You can use the juice to get rid of the stains quickly, then wash your clothes as usual later on. For really harsh stains, of course, it's always best to stick to tried-and-tested bleach.

Tip 3: Give your Washing Machine Credit

One problem that people regularly deal with when it comes to discovering new methods of how to remove clothing stains, is that they don't give their washing machines enough credit. Laundry detergent actually works more wonders than you might expect, and many stains can be demolished simply by washing the item of clothing just like you would normally. Many detergents are packed full of enzyme pre-treatment products which are great for removing grease, oil, and food stains. The key to getting the most out of these formulas is generally using water that is as hot as your garment can cope with. This is because hot water generally cleans better than warm or cold water.

Tip 4: Use Baby Powder

Finally, a great tip to help you remove clothing stains is to use baby powder on oily spills and curry marks. All you have to do to get rid of the mess is sprinkle a liberal amount of powder immediately onto the stain and wait for it to soak up all of the oil. Once the stain has been drawn to the top of the fabric, it will be far easier to get rid of it.