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Speedy treatment can help prevent stains from becoming permanent. But it’s hard to be quick if you don’t have the right supplies. The cleaners, cloths, and more, listed alphabetically below, will come in handy whenever a spill or splash threatens to ruin your clothing, countertops, carpeting, or furniture. You’re likely to use some tools—like paper towels and the detergent solution—more than others. Just be sure to stash them where you can access them easily.

For how-to’s on tackling a variety of stains—from coffee and wine to tomato sauce and blood stains—on a range of surfaces using this toolkit, see The Ultimate Stain-Removal Guide.

Acetone Nail Polish Remover This solvent does a remarkable job on some mishaps—like makeup and super glue. (But don’t use it on synthetic fabrics; it could damage them.)

Ammonia, Bleach, and Distilled White Vinegar These liquids can be useful in a few stain emergencies, but do not mix them.

Baking Soda and Cornstarch Each of these absorbent materials is excellent at soaking up a greasy spill.

Cotton Swabs These are great for testing the safety of a stain remover on fabric. Use a swab to dab the product on a small or hard-to-reach area of upholstery or an inside seam of an article of clothing.

Detergent Solution Mix 1 teaspoon of a mild white or clear dishwashing liquid (Dawn is often recommended)—no bleach—in 1 cup of warm water.

Enzymatic Laundry Pretreat “These make a huge difference. They really break down organic stains,” says Jessica Ek, digital communications director at the American Cleaning Institute. See below for CR’s top pick.

Plain White Paper Towels or Cloths Both are perfect for blotting up spills. If you use a cloth, choose cotton or microfiber and make sure it's clean. Using white cloths or paper towels means there’s no worry that a dye will transfer from fabric or paper and make an already bad situation worse.

Upholstery Cleaner and/or Dry-Cleaning Liquid Because you can’t throw your sofa or dining-chair seats in the washer, a targeted stain-lifter (Picrin is one product experts suggest) may save the day.

Editor’s Note: This article also appeared in the March 2022 issue of Consumer Reports magazine.

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Janet Siroto is a writer and content strategist specializing in lifestyle and wellness topics. She's held senior editorial positions at Good Housekeeping, Vogue, and Cosmopolitan, and contributes to Real Simple, Next Avenue, and other titles. She is also a trend tracker whose work has been presented at South by Southwest, the Wall Street Journal's The Future of Everything, Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, and other summits. 

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