- 1). Determine what made your red stain, if you can. If the stain is dried, it will be more difficult to remove. If it is a new spill, your job will be much easier. You must also determine if the fabric is washable. If it is not, you must take it to a professional dry cleaner and make certain you tell them about the stain.
- 2). Blot up as much of the newly spilled liquid or substance as possible with an old clean towel that is now used as a cleaning rag. If the stain is red wine or red Kool-aid, after blotting up the spill, pour a little club soda on the stain and let it sit for a few seconds, then blot. Repeat the procedure two or three times, if necessary. The club soda almost always works, but if the stain is not totally gone, try a little white wine on the red wine stain.
- 3). Soak the stained area of a dried stain in cold water, if possible. If the stain is on a carpet or furniture, lay a white cloth soaked in cold water on the stain. Cold water is the best solution for removing blood stains, so continue to soak the blood stain until it is saturated. Blot the water from the stain with a clean terry towel. Use an old one that you now use for cleaning rags because the stain may transfer to the towel.
- 4). Apply any cleaning solutions that are likely to work on the stain. For red stains with an oily base, such as catsup, apply Dawn dish washing liquid, either straight from the bottle or mixed with water, based on the intensity and age of the stain. Other things to try on your stain are to rub a bar of Fels Naptha laundry soap on the wet stain, or try a little Arm and Hammer Super Washing Soda mixed with water. Try 20 Mule Team Borax mixed with water or laundry detergent mixed with water.
- 5). Rinse the cleaning solution off the stain and blot up the excess liquid. If not all the stain has been removed, try mixing together 1 part rubbing alcohol to 2 parts water. Rinse and blot.
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