Stain Removal Tips: What to Do Before Bringing Clothes to the Cleaners

We’ve all been there—spilled coffee on a white shirt, dropped sauce on a silk blouse, or caught a splash of red wine on your favorite pants. The instinct is often to grab a towel or dab at it with soap and water, but what you do in those first few minutes can make all the difference between saving your garment or setting the stain permanently.

At Jimmy’s Cleaners and Alterations, we specialize in professional stain removal. However, there are a few simple steps you can take at home before bringing your clothes to the cleaners that will improve the odds of a successful outcome.

In this blog, we’ll guide you through the best stain removal tips to follow immediately after a spill, before you head to the cleaners. These small steps can help protect your clothing and assist our professionals in restoring it to its original condition.

Why Acting Quickly Matters

The longer a stain sits, the harder it is to remove. Stains tend to:

• Set into fibers over time

• React with heat, light, or air

• Spread if treated incorrectly

• Cause discoloration or fabric weakening

That’s why early intervention is key—and why knowing what not to do is just as important as knowing what to do.

Stain Removal Tips: What to Do Right Away

1. Blot, Don’t Rub

This is the #1 golden rule. Rubbing spreads the stain and damages the fibers, especially on delicate fabrics like silk, wool, or rayon.

✅ Do this:
Use a clean, dry cloth or paper towel to gently blot (press) the stain. This lifts excess liquid without grinding it in.

🚫 Avoid this:
Scrubbing, wiping aggressively, or using colored napkins that could bleed dye into the fabric.

2. Identify the Stain Type

Different stains require different treatments. Try to remember what caused the stain—oil, wine, ink, makeup, blood, grass, etc. This helps our cleaning experts use the right solvent and technique.

✅ Tip: Take a photo of the stain and note what it is, especially if you’re not bringing it in right away.

3. Avoid Home Remedies (Most of the Time)

DIY treatments like vinegar, baking soda, or dish soap can do more harm than good, especially on structured, dry-clean-only garments. Home remedies can:

• Set the stain permanently

• Alter the color of the fabric

• Leave behind residue that makes professional cleaning harder

✅ When in doubt, do less—not more—and get it to us ASAP.

4. Don’t Apply Heat

Heat is a stain’s best friend—and your worst enemy. Whether it’s from a blow dryer, iron, or even warm water, heat sets stains permanently into fabric.

🚫 Never toss a stained item in the dryer or try to “dry it out.”

✅ Always keep the stained area cool and dry until it reaches the cleaner.

5. Leave It Untreated If Unsure

Many customers think they’re helping by spraying commercial stain removers—but some products can actually react negatively with dry cleaning solvents, making things worse.

✅ If you’re unsure of the fabric or stain type, simply blot and bring it to us untreated.
✅ Put the garment in a plastic bag to isolate it and prevent the stain from spreading to other items.

Special Instructions for Common Stains

Red Wine & Juice

• Blot immediately with a clean white cloth.

• Avoid using club soda, which may spread the stain.

Oil & Grease

• Do not use water. Water makes oil-based stains harder to remove.

• Sprinkle cornstarch or baby powder to absorb excess oil, then bring it in.

Blood

• Blot with a cold damp cloth (never hot water).

• Don’t scrub, and avoid any household detergent.

Ink

• Do not attempt to remove ink with alcohol or hand sanitizer.

• Wrap the stained item in a cloth and bring it in as soon as possible.

Makeup or Lipstick

• Scraping or rubbing often makes these worse.

• Blot gently, and avoid applying water.

What to Tell Your Cleaner

When you bring your garment into Jimmy’s Cleaners, more information helps us treat it effectively.

Please tell us:

• What caused the stain (as specifically as you can)

• How long it’s been there

• Whether you applied any home remedies

• If the garment has been previously washed or dry cleaned

With this info, we can choose the best method and avoid complications that could damage the fabric or fail to remove the stain fully.

Why Professional Cleaning Works Best

Our stain removal process involves:

• Inspection under proper lighting

• Identification of stain type and fabric reaction

• Pre-treatment with industry-grade solvents

• Specialized cleaning, drying, and pressing

• A final check to ensure stain removal and garment integrity

We handle delicate and expensive fabrics that most at-home methods can’t treat safely. Whether it’s a silk evening gown or your favorite wool blazer, we have the tools, solvents, and expertise to save your clothing.

Let Jimmy’s Cleaners Handle It from Here

Your clothes are in good hands at Jimmy’s Cleaners and Alterations. When you bring us stained garments—especially after following the above tips—we’re equipped to get the best possible result.

✅ Stain specialists for wine, ink, oil, makeup, and more
✅ Safe for all fabric types, including silk, cashmere, wool, and suede
✅ Eco-friendly solvents and gentle treatment methods
✅ Fast, friendly, and affordable service

👉 Spilled something? Don’t panic. Blot it, skip the DIY, and bring it to Jimmy’s Cleaners. Fill out the form below or visit jimmyscleaners.net to schedule your next stain rescue!