Conventional spot removers are good at getting out some of these more challenging stains, but many contain nasty solvent ingredients - the kind that do unfriendly things to your air passages and put groundwater at risk.

You can find earth-friendly spot removers on the shelves of big box stores and even conventional supermarkets. Or you can make your own by pulling these stain-zapping ingredients right off your shelf or out of your refrigerator:

• Baking soda

• Borax

• Club soda

• Lemon juice

• Liquid dishwashing soap

• Liquid laundry detergent

• Salt

• White distilled vinegar

Best course of action when discovering a stain is to take care of it immediately. Water is always your first and best defense. When in doubt, always use cold water rather than warm water. Many stains, such as blood and tomato, are protein-based, and hot water can set the stain. If a bit of plain cold water doesn't do the trick, try the solutions in Table 4-1.

Solutions for Specific Stains

Stain	Solution
Berries	Soak the spot with cold water and then let it soak in lemon juice for 20 minutes Rinse with cold water and launder as usual
Blood	Wash stain with cold water If that doesn't do it, use a little baking soda, liquid soap, salt, or other alkaline-based agent
Chocolate	Soak fabric in cold water If that doesn't work, dab with liquid laundry detergent
Coffee	Rinse with warm water and then soak in a mixture of half borax and half water When the stain is gone, rinse with warm water and air dry
Fruit juice	For a substantial stain, pour boiling water on sturdy fabrics, warm water on delicates For a light drop or two of juice, a quick once-over with cold water should do the trick. Grape juice may take more effort than lemonade
Grass	Bring on the liquid dish soap and warm water and then rinse with clear water For more stubborn stains, try white distilled vinegar or cream of tartar
Ink	A little dishwashing liquid and water may remove a small stain. For more stubborn spots, try white distilled vinegar A little white wine or vodka may lift the spot out, too
Tomato-based foods, such as pasta sauce or ketchup	Rinse immediately with cold water and then rub on liquid dishwashing or laundry detergent Let it set for a few minutes and rinse again with cold water If the stain remains, try laundering with a cup of white distilled vinegar in the wash, followed by a cool-water rinse
Lipstick	Put stained garment or linen on an old white towel and soak with a solution of water and dishwashing detergent Blot to remove the stain The lipstick should seep under onto the towel. Follow by laundering. Baking soda and water may work as well
Perspiration	Make a solution of 4 tablespoons of salt in 1 quart of hot water Sponge the area with this mixture, rinse well, and launder as usual
Red wine	Gently dab the spot with club soda until the stain is removed Follow by laundering
Sunscreen	Remove any remaining lotion, then sprinkle with baking soda, and allow to sit for an hour or two Shake off the residue and sponge with a small amount of dishwashing liquid and warm water Launder as usual
Urine	Soak in ¼ cup white vinegar in a quart of water, remove, and launder as usual Works for human and pet urine
Yellowing	Prescrub with a mild liquid detergent Then wash as usual in the washing machine

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Some solutions can weaken certain material fibers: Cotton, for example, doesn't take too well to acidic bases, such as vinegar or lemon juice. Always read the care instructions on the inside of a garment before treating with any stain remover. Once stains have become set in the dryer, it may be nearly impossible to remove them. Fresh stains are easier to remove than stains that have dried.