--- title: Stain basics: what to do before you wash | Jax's Suds Club url: https://jaxsudsclub.com/guides/stain-basics/ business: Jax's Suds Club phone: (608) 412-4263 (primary), (507) 470-9439 (secondary) address: 1554 Charles Street, La Crosse, WI 54603 hours: Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (members' door access with the FasCard app or a loyalty card) --- - [Home](https://jaxsudsclub.com/) - [Guides](https://jaxsudsclub.com/guides/) - Stain basics: what to do before you wash # Stain basics: what to do before you wash Treat a stain as soon as you can: blot (don't rub), test your stain remover on a hidden seam, and pre-treat before washing - cold water for blood, enzyme products for protein stains like grass and dairy. Most important: don't put a stained item in the dryer until the stain is gone, because heat can set it for good. ## Step by step - ### Act fast Fresh stains are easier to remove; time and heat make removing stains harder [[1]](#src-h) [[2]](#src-h) . - ### Blot, don't rub Use a blotting motion and work from the back of the stain to push it out of the fabric, not into it [[1]](#src-h) . - ### Test first Pre-treatments can change a garment's color. Test on a hem or inside seam before you use one [[1]](#src-h) [[3]](#src-h) . - ### Pre-treat, then wash the whole item Use a prewash stain remover, liquid laundry detergent or a paste of powder detergent and water, then launder the entire garment [[4]](#src-h) . - ### Check before you dry Look at wet clothes before they go in the dryer. If the stain is still there, treat and wash again - drying can set it permanently [[1]](#src-h) [[3]](#src-h) [[4]](#src-h) . ## Common stains | Stain | What to do | | Blood (fresh) | Soak in cold water - hot water sets blood. Then launder. Dried blood: pre-treat or soak in warm water with an enzyme product [[4]](#src-h) . | | Grass | Pre-treat with a stain stick or soak in an enzyme product, then wash [[4]](#src-h) [[5]](#src-h) . | | Grease & oil | Light stains: pre-treat with a stain remover or liquid detergent and wash in the hottest water safe for the fabric. Heavy stains: work from the back of the stain on clean paper towels first [[4]](#src-h) [[5]](#src-h) . | | Coffee & tea | Sponge or soak in cool water, pre-treat, then wash with a bleach that is safe for the fabric [[4]](#src-h) . | | Unknown | Start gentle: soak in cold water about 30 minutes, work in a little liquid detergent, rinse, then wash [[3]](#src-h) . | Never mix stain removers - especially ammonia and chlorine bleach. Rinse well between products [[3]](#src-h) . ## Sources - [Texas A&M AgriLife Extension - Quick Stain Removal Guide (L-5199)](https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Quick-Stain-Removal-Guide.pdf) - treat quickly, blot, work from the back, test colorfastness, never dry a stained garment - [Mississippi State University Extension - How to remove pesky stains](https://extension.msstate.edu/blogs/extension-for-real-life/how-remove-pesky-stains) - common stains and the dryer warning - [New Mexico State University Extension - Guide C-502, Removing Clothing Stains (rev. 2019)](https://pubs.nmsu.edu/_c/C502.pdf) - heat sets stains, test on a seam, unknown stains, never mix removers - [American Cleaning Institute - Stain removal guide](https://www.cleaninginstitute.org/cleaning-tips/clothes/stain-removal-guide) - blood, grass, grease and oil, coffee and tea; pre-treat and launder - [American Cleaning Institute - Laundry basics](https://www.cleaninginstitute.org/cleaning-tips/clothes/laundry-basics) - pre-treat before a stain dries or sets; enzyme presoaks for protein stains Sources accessed October 19, 2026. Always follow the care label on your item. At Jax's Suds Club: 4-load and 6-load washers, stacked dryers, and every machine takes the FasCard app, a loyalty card or coins. [See the machines](https://jaxsudsclub.com/machines/). ## More guides - [Washing comforters & bulky items](https://jaxsudsclub.com/guides/washing-comforters-and-bulky-items/) - [How much HE detergent to use](https://jaxsudsclub.com/guides/how-much-he-detergent/) Get in touch ## Questions about a big load? Questions, feedback, a machine that isn't working, or business and bulk laundry - send a note and we'll get back to you. Talk to a person [(608) 412-4263](tel:+16084124263) Primary ยท call or text [(507) 470-9439](tel:+15074709439) Secondary [jaxssudsclublax@gmail.com](mailto:jaxssudsclublax@gmail.com) 1554 Charles Street La Crosse, WI 54603 [Get directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=1554+Charles+Street%2C+La+Crosse%2C+WI+54603&destination_place_id=ChIJ3USmCo5U-YcRZ84pmMNXv28)