[Skip to Content]
University of Illinois Extension
Food coloring, red

Food coloring, red

Treat stains as soon as possible after staining. The older the stain, the more difficult it will be to remove.

All stain removal methods should be applied prior to laundering washable garments. Stains that have been laundered and dried are almost impossible to remove.

Washable Fabrics

What you will need

  • Blunt kitchen knife
  • Liquid hand dishwashing Detergent
  • Ammonia
  • White vinegar
  • Chlorine bleach or oxygen bleach

Steps to Clean

  1. Scrape off excess material.
  2. Soak for 15 minutes in mixture of 1 quart lukewarm water, one-half teaspoon liquid hand dishwashing detergent and one tablespoon ammonia.
  3. Rub gently from back to loosen stain.
  4. Soak another 15 minutes in above mixture. Rinse.
  5. Soak in 1 quart warm water and 1 tablespoon white vinegar for 30 minutes.
  6. If color stain remains, launder, using chlorine bleach if safe for fabric, or with oxygen bleach.

Carpet

What you will need

  • Detergent
  • White vinegar
  • Rubbing alcohol

Steps to Clean

  1. Mix one teaspoon of liquid dishwashing detergent and one tablespoon of ammonia with two cups of warm water.
  2. Using a clean white cloth, sponge the stain with the detergent/ammonia solution.
  3. Blot until the liquid is absorbed.
  4. If the stain remains, mix one tablespoon of liquid dishwashing detergent and one tablespoon of white vinegar with two cups of warm water.
  5. Sponge the stain with the detergent/vinegar solution.
  6. Blot until the liquid is absorbed.
  7. If the stain remains, sponge the stain with rubbing alcohol.
  8. Blot until the liquid is absorbed.
  9. Sponge with cold water and blot dry.

Upholstery

What you will need

  • Detergent
  • Ammonia
  • White vinegar
  • Rubbing alcohol

Steps to Clean

  1. Mix one teaspoon of liquid dishwashing detergent and one tablespoon of ammonia with two cups of warm water. (Caution: Never mix chlorine bleach and ammonia – fumes are hazardous)
  2. Using a clean white cloth, sponge the stain with the detergent/ammonia solution
  3. Blot until the liquid is absorbed.
  4. Repeat Steps 2 and 3 until the stain disappears or is no longer absorbed into the cloth.
  5. If the stain remains, mix one tablespoon of liquid dishwashing detergent and one tablespoon of white vinegar with two cups of warm water.
  6. Sponge the stain with the detergent/vinegar solution.
  7. Blot until the liquid is absorbed.
  8. Repeat Steps 6 and 7 until the stain disappears or is no longer absorbed into the cloth.
  9. Sponge the stain with rubbing alcohol.
  10. Blot until the liquid is absorbed.
  11. Sponge with cold water and blot dry