You’ve 
just had your best outfit dry cleaned and upon the first wearing – splat! a new stain is born.
We all know that stains need to be treated promptly for the best chance of successful removal, but it will be days before you can take it to the cleaners again. What do you do? Well, you can either blot it off as best as you can and wait until you can get it to the dry cleaners, or you can attempt to remove it yourself. There are many “dry clean only” fabrics that can be treated for stain removal. If nothing else, it works as a great temporary fix until you can get the item back to the dry cleaners. Here are some general guidelines for removing stains from “dry clean only” clothing.
Gather the Necessary Supplies
There are a few general items that are commonly needed to remove any stain.
- Cotton swabs or cotton balls (depending on the size of the stain)
- Plastic spoon
- Clean soft cloths
- Cool or cold water
- Towels
- Paper towels (optional)
Choose the Right Stain Remover
Select the stain remover based on the type of stain listed below.
- Grease Stains (oil, butter, mayonnaise): Dry cleaning fluid such as Afta or an absorbent powder like baking soda or corn starch
- Protein Stains (grass, meat, eggs): Dishwashing detergent (only use clear as colored detergents will add a color stain) or enzyme cleaner like Nature’s Miracle (available in the pet aisle)
- Fruit and Vegetables (juices as well as solids): Use the same as washables, but limit the amount of water used. Enzyme cleaner might also work, such as Nature’s Miracle (available in most pet aisles)
- Lipstick: Dry cleaning fluid such as Afta followed with white vinegar
- Wines: White – cold water; Red – denatured alcohol followed by white vinegar
- Beer: White vinegar
- Tea: Lemon juice
- Milk/Cream: Dry cleaning fluid such as Afta
- Coffee: White vinegar
- Wax: Same as washables
- Gum: Same as washables
- Smoke: White vinegar
- Sauces (chocolate, condiments, BBQ, salad dressings): Dry cleaning fluid such as Afta followed with white vinegar
- Mustard: White vinegar (may require dry cleaners assistance)
- Mud: Dishwashing detergent followed by white vinegar
- Lotion or body oils: Dry cleaning fluid such as Afta or an absorbent powder like baking soda or corn starch
- Ink: Glycerin followed by detergent and water (ballpoint ink) or denatured alcohol (felt-tip ink)
- Paint: same as washables
- Sweat: Enzyme cleaner, such as Kids ‘N’ Pets, see the guide How to Remove Armpit Stains from Dry Clean Only Clothing for more information
- Deodorant: rub with pantyhose. Otherwise, the area often needs to be soaked, see the guide How to Remove Deodorant Stains from Clothing
Steps to Remove “Gloppy” Stains
- If there is any “glop” of stain such a dollop of ketchup, carefully remove it by scraping if off from the outside towards the center with a spoon.
- Next, blot at the stained area with a clean cloth moistened with a small amount of water. (Wring the cloth out first so it’s only damp, not dripping.)
- Switch to a clean portion of the cloth frequently to keep from reapplying the stain to the area.
- Next, apply the appropriate cleaner from the list above. To do this, wet a clean cloth with the cleaner, then blot (press) or swipe the cloth over the area.
- Blot again with a clean cloth dampened with only water.
- Repeat until the stain is removed.
- When the stain is removed, lay the piece flat and allow it to dry completely.
Steps to Remove Liquid Stains
- Begin by blotting the stain with a clean, soft cloth to remove as much of the liquid as possible.
- Apply the appropriate cleaner with a cotton ball, cotton swab or soft cloth depending on the size of the stain.
- Continue to blot with a clean, white cloth. As you are blotting, you will notice the stain transferring to the cloth.
- Switch to a clean section of the cloth frequently to keep from spreading the stain.
- Repeat the application of the cleaning product and blotting until the stain is either completely removed or you feel you have removed as much as possible.
- If the cleaner needs to be rinsed out, blot the area with a clean cloth moistened with plain water.
- Lay the piece flat and allow it to dry completely.
Steps to Remove Oil Stains
- Oil based stains require an absorbent to soak up the oil from the stain. Cover the stained area with corn starch or baking soda and allow it set for 30 minutes.
- Flip the fabric over and shake to remove the absorbent.
- Now that the oil has been absorbed, you are ready to treat any remaining stain.
- Apply the cleaning solution or absorbent (repeating the process with fresh powder may remove more of the stain) and allow it to set for a few minutes.
- Blot the area with a clean cloth to remove.
- Rinse with a clean cloth moistened with water if necessary.
- Lay the piece flat and allow it to dry completely.
Additional Tips and Ideas
- Not all dry clean fabrics can be treated for stain removal. If you are in doubt about how the fabric will hold up to the cleaning products, it is best to either test a small, hidden area first or allow the dry cleaners to remove the stain.
- It is helpful to place a towel inside of the shirt or pants to prevent pushing the stain through to the other side of the clothing.
- Any stains that may have sugar remaining (juices, wines, jams, etc.) should be pointed out to the dry cleaners even if they appear to be removed. If there are any remaining sugars in the fibers, they will caramelize during the dry cleaning process and leave a stain.
- Avoid using bleach on these delicate fabrics. Other products such as lemon juice and vinegar can be used as a mild bleach to remove remaining color stains.
- This is a general guide for various stain removal procedures, if you are in doubt or concerned about how the fabric will react to the cleaning products, do not hesitate to consult your dry cleaner for stain removal. Simply blot the stain with a clean cloth to remove as much as possible and take it to the dry cleaners as soon as possible.
How would you go about getting rid of age or rust stains from dry clean only things?
I would be extremely careful when following this guide. I had a blazer with mud on it and I stupidly followed this guide. It completely ruined my jacket. There goes $175.
I used a home dry cleaning kit and it left a stain on the material. The stain feels hard. I have washed the spot and the center looks better, but the edges of the stain are hardened. Any suggestions?
I have a dry clean only white dress…I wore it once, and it looked clean in the morning so I put it back in the cupboard. I’ve taken it out to wear and there is a huge yellow stain all down the front. Clearly it was a glass of white wine. The dry cleaner won’t clean it. Is there anything I can do? It’s a designer dress…and what a waste if it can’t be rescued.
Hope you can help.
Kelly,
The reason the stain is yellow is because the sugar in the wine is caramelizing. Try blotting the stain with a damp cloth. If that doesn’t work, you can try the methods in this article: How to Remove Alcohol Stains from Silk. However, since the dress is dry clean only, test any cleaning solution on a hidden area first to check for any adverse effects.
As a last resort, if the dress is anything other than a protein-based fabric (such as silk, wool, etc.), you can try an enzyme laundry detergent as described in this article: How to Remove Beer Stains from Clothing.
How would I remove dirty fingerprint stains from the back of a delicate tutu where it had been constantly done up? Thanks.
Hi! I recently (within the last month or so) purchased a dress from Forever 21. I haven’t had time to have it dry cleaned, but I put it on to wear to a bridal shower this afternoon & noticed a makeup stain around the collar… And it’s not even my makeup! Is there anything I can do? Help!
Thanks!
Allison,
It is always best to have dry clean only fabrics dry cleaned. If that isn’t an option, you can try testing a cleaning solution on a small, hidden area of the fabric first to look for any adverse reaction; apply the cleaning solution, blot it with water to rinse if off, then allow it to dry completely before determining if any damage occurred. The article How to Remove Make-up Stains suggests using 3% hydrogen peroxide for liquid foundation stains, or mild laundry detergent mixed with a few drops of water for powdered foundation or blush stains.
I caution that with dry clean only dresses, one should only use the talcum powder solution to absorb the oil and then send it to the dry cleaners. DO NOT use any soap or water on it. It’ll result in water stains on your dress and tear stains on your face.
I hand washed a black dress using powder detergent, which has left lots of little white dots on it. Will the dry cleaners be able to remove those stains if I let the dress dry?
My granddaughter was given a dress for prom and it’s the last minute and we saw what looks like grease spots in several locations. The bodice has beading, but the location of the stains are outside of this area. What can I do to clean it if the dry cleaner can’t? Please help.
Belinda,
If the stains are oil-based, they could safely be removed by covering them with an absorbent powder, such as baking soda. Cover each stain with a generous amount of baking soda and let it sit overnight. Brush off the powder in the morning and hopefully the stains will be gone. If not, you can repeat the process (with fresh baking soda) as many times as needed.
I have a wonderful pink wedding outfit that I stupidly lent to a friend to wear and she has returned it to me with a stain on the skirt and a stain on the sleeve. She sent it to the dry cleaner and they could not remove them.
My friend cannot remember what it was; in fact, she has accused me of making the stains in the first place.
I have tried to remove them at home with various Stain Devils to no avail. I recently tried with water and this has left a watermark, which is even worse.
Can I remove the water mark at all?
The fabric is 79% Triacetate and 21% Polyester and lined with polyester silk.
Katya,
Try using the information in the article How to Remove Watermarks from Polyester.
I fell down a MUDDY hill in my WHITE JEANS! These jeans say “dry clean only”! My husband took them to the cleaners (they clean on premise) and they refuse to try and get the mud out. (There’s more MUD than WHITE!) Does anyone have a suggestion or recommendation to help me out? BTW… These jeans are/were BRAND NEW! (I actually haven’t technically paid for them yet!)
I tried wiping off a stain with a wet sponge and now there is a water stain on the fabric! How do I get the water stain off? Dry clean it?
Kathie,
This is the article that you need: How to Avoid Watermarks on Fabric. There is a section on what to do to remove them as well.
I got white paint on my blazer (not sure what kind of paint), but it’s not coming off. When I wipe it, it goes away, but it comes back when it dries. I just sent it for dry cleaning, and the lady told me it’s going to be hard to remove. Is there anything I can do if it doesn’t come off?
I purchased a faux fur coat and it has a small stain on the collar; I don’t know what it is. I cleaned it with a cotton ball & water; it’s not coming off. What else can I try? I thought it was lipstick, but it’s hard.
Joyce,
You can try using dry cleaning solvent on the stain, or if needed, you might be able to shave the stain off of the fur. Otherwise, it’s difficult to treat a stain without knowing what it is from. Some of the most common cleaning options for stain removal are rubbing alcohol, white vinegar, dish liquid (mixed with water), or as a last resort, hydrogen peroxide. Always test a cleaning solution on a small hidden area first to look for any adverse effect. The article, How to Clean Faux Fur, says that if faux fur is dry clean only, using water (or cleaning solutions) on it could remove any coating that is likely on it, so be sure to only clean the stain, not the whole area around it.
I didn’t know that any stains that may have sugar remaining should be pointed out to the dry cleaners. That’s good to know. Business has gotten crazy lately and I’ve hardly have had time for laundry. I’ve been thinking about just having my stuff sent to the dry cleaners.
Hi All,
I have a white linen suit, and I had given it to a dry clean service to clean the dirt at the cuffs and collar. When I received it, I did not notice that they left yellow stains at various spots.
When I realised, I gave it at another dry clean centre, but he could not clean it. He told me these stains are probably from the other clothes that the previous dry cleaners has washed with, so it’s basically a stain from other clothes. I just wore it once and this is the fate. Can any one suggest to me the best idea to take off this stains?
Ranjit,
If the stains are from other garments, then that means they are dye stains (from the fabric dye on other items). This is the article that you need: How to Fix Dye Transfer. Most dry clean only items can usually be washed safely. Just wash them by hand instead of in a machine.
How can I get smoke out of a wool sweater that can not be washed?
Helen,
This is the article that you need: How to Remove Burnt Odors from Wool Garments. Use the Dry Method of Odor Removal.
Hi. I have a silk dress and got blood on it. I brought it to the dry cleaners, but they couldn’t remove it. ???? Is there anything I could do as I only wore this dress once? Thanks.
Theresa,
This is the article you need: How to Remove Dried Blood from Silk. Good luck!
I have a very expensive pants suit with white pants that when I took them out of the closet to wear, the pants were covered with large yellow rings. The cleaners did not get them out. Anyone have a suggestion?
Phycilla,
If dry cleaning did not remove the stains, the best bet is to try a regular cleaning. In particular, try using OxiClean. Mix the OxiClean with some water to make a paste, spread the paste over each stain and scrub it into the stains gently with a soft-bristle brush like an old toothbrush or nail brush. Then wash the suit on a gentle cycle in cool water, or hand wash it in the bathtub or sink without any extra detergent or chemicals (fabric softener, etc.). If that doesn’t work, you can try washing it with chlorine bleach added to the wash like for normal white clothes or try using an enzyme digester such as Nature’s Miracle on the stains. If that still doesn’t work, you can try dying the item a dark color. Good luck!
Source: HowToCleanStuff.net – How to Clean Yellowing from Fabric Shoes
Source: HowToCleanStuff.net – How to Whiten Yellowed Nylon
I have a nice wool winter coat that I had found mold growth on. I used a lemon water paste to wipe it off and then sent it to the dry cleaners. It came back with a water mark (or perhaps carmelized spot) like you had mentioned. Any suggestion on how to fix the spot?
Adam,
This is the article that you need: How to Remove a Lemon Stain. However, do not use the enzyme detergent method unless you find one that specifically says it is safe for wool; most enzyme products cannot be used on animal fibers like leather, wool, and silk because they will eat them up just like they eat up the stains. Good luck!
Hi. I have a black suit jacket (dry clean only) that I left Hall’s cough drops in the pocket. What do you advise to make it look good again? It’s noticeable, but barely, but the pocket is stiff and dry. Haven’t worn in 5 years. Thanks.
Roger,
An enzyme cleaner could work for that. They are available in the pet aisle of most supermarkets and grocery stores, as well as at pet supply stores. Kids ‘N’ Pets works particularly well. Nature’s Miracle works well too. Test it on a small hidden area first and let the area dry to fully assess the results. If safe, spray the inside of the pocket to soak the stained area, wait a few minutes, then use a spoon to srape out as much of the cough drops as possible and repeat (spray, wait, scrape) until the bulk of the cough drops are gone. Next, spray any remaining stain and use a cloth to soak it up as it loosens from the fabric. When clean, blot with a cloth to soak up the cleaning fluid as much as possible, then prop the pocket open somehow (blunt toothpicks?) to dry.
Another option is to fold the pocket inside-out and wash it in the sink with mild dish liquid, scraping with a spoon as needed. Then, once the bulk of the cough drops have been removerd and only a stain is left, with the pocket folded out, you could try using a home dry cleaning kit (available in the laundry aisle). Spray the dry clean stain remover in the kit onto the stain and follow the directions on the kit. Good luck!
Hello. I have a polyester/wool blend “dry clean only” jacket which has a krazy glue stain and several lines of “rubbed on dirt” across a sleeve. I don’t see any reference online for removing glue on such garments; finding this very detailed page, I am hopeful you can give constructive guidance. The dry cleaners won’t make any promises.
Thank you.
Steven,
Unfortunately, there can never be a guarantee with stain removal. However, here are some things you can try. The Krazy glue website mentions that the bond can be broken by soaking the glued product in water. To do this, get a bowl of room-temperature water and put just the area of the jacket with the glue in the bowl to soak. Let it soak for at least 30 minutes, then try rubbing the glue in little circles with your fingertips to remove it from the fabric. Repeat the process (soaking then rubbing) as many times as needed. Once the glue is removed, press the area with a towel to soak up as much water as possible, then dry the area with a hair dryer on cool air to prevent a water stain.
That method is absolutely the most gentle, however, there are other options. You could use some acetone nail polish remover to remove the glue; apply it with a cotton swab to keep it only on the glued area as much as possible, let it soak for a few minutes, then try scraping/rubbing off the glue. Be sure to test this in a small hidden area first though as the nail polish remover could damage or stain the fabric. Once the glue is removed, wash the area with a mild soap and water to remove any residue from the nail polish remover, then dry the area.
Another option is to carefully use a nail file to file off the dry glue. Be very gentle so as not to file off the fabric fibers as well. Good luck!
Source: Krazy Glue – What do I do if my fingers get stuck?
Source: How To Clean Stuff – How to Remove Super Glue Stains
I wore a red top; the red stained my cream gillet and it’s dry clean only. Please can you advise me how to clean the stain?
Maggie,
Alcohol is a great first choice for removing dye; test it on a small hidden area first to be sure it’s safe for the fabric dyes though. Another option is to try the stain remover in a home dry cleaning kit (sold on the laundry aisle). Follow the instructions on the label of your selected kit. Good luck!
My bofriend’s ex-wife poured melted raw cocoa butter on four of his suits. He hasn’t done anything with them. They are very expensive suits and we have a cruise coming up so I’d like to try to salvage them. It’s on most of one shoulder of each jacket. I really don’t think a DIY approach is a great idea; just looking to see if anyone has had similar stain experience with this type of fabric and dry cleaning?
Can a small water stain be removed from a knit, cotton coat that is dry clean only? It looks like it has discolored the fabric.
Hi Sandy,
Here are two ways to try to remove a water stain. First, try using the stain remover in a home dry cleaning kit. These kits are available on the laundry aisle of most supermarkets; follow the directions on the label of your selected product. If that doesn’t work, another option is to blot the area with some distilled water to barely dampen it, then immediately dry the area with a hair dryer on cool air only. Good luck!