How Do You Get a Stain Out That Won’t Come Out?

When the usual tricks fail (and you're freaking out)

Okay, let’s be real for a second — we’ve all been there. You spill red wine on your favorite white shirt, or worse, grease on your new sofa. You scrub, you Google, you even pray a little… and the stain just laughs in your face. I had that exact moment with turmeric curry on a light blue t-shirt. Spoiler: turmeric is EVIL.

But look, even when it seems hopeless, there's almost always a way. You just have to stop panicking and try a few unconventional (or overlooked) methods. Let’s dig in.

Step 1: Identify the type of stain — seriously, it matters

Oil vs. dye vs. protein-based

Not all stains are created equal. An old ink blot is totally different from BBQ sauce or blood. And if you treat the wrong stain with the wrong method… well, let’s just say I once made a chocolate mark bigger using hot water (RIP, white hoodie).

Here's a super quick cheat sheet:

• Oily stains: salad dressing, butter, makeup

• Dye stains: wine, coffee, berries, turmeric (ugh)

• Protein stains: blood, sweat, milk, egg

Knowing this helps you pick the right battle plan.

Step 2: Act fast (but also… not blindly)

Timing matters, but so does method

If it’s fresh — dab, don’t rub. Use cold water unless it’s oil-based (then go warm). But here’s where I’ve screwed up before: rushing with the wrong cleaner. Once I used bleach on a mustard stain. Thought I was a genius. Ended up with a weird yellow-white explosion.

Lesson learned? Don’t just attack it with everything under the sink.

Step 3: Use the heavy artillery (but smartly)

DIY methods that actually work

1. Baking soda + vinegar combo: For armpit stains and some old spills.

   • Sprinkle baking soda on the stain.

   • Pour a bit of white vinegar on top.

   • Let it fizz. Wait 30 mins. Rinse and wash.

   • Warning: test it first on colored clothes.

2. Dish soap + hydrogen peroxide (for whites):

   • Great for blood, sweat, even wine if it’s old.

   • Mix 1 part dish soap + 2 parts hydrogen peroxide.

   • Apply and let sit. Scrub with a toothbrush. Rinse.

3. Rubbing alcohol (for ink and makeup):

   • Dab gently, don’t drown it.

   • Blot, rinse, repeat.

   • I once saved a beige armchair from black eyeliner with this trick — and yes, I felt like a wizard.

Commercial stain removers that aren't scams

Honestly? Some work better than others. I’ve had decent luck with:

• Folex (for carpets — miracle stuff)

• Shout Advanced Gel (especially on food stains)

• OxiClean — but don’t overdo it or it’ll fade the fabric

My friend Tara swears by mixing OxiClean with hot water and soaking clothes overnight. I tried it once — it worked, but it made my whole laundry room smell like chemicals. Worth it though? Yeah.

Step 4: Be patient — and persistent

Some stains need multiple treatments

I get it. You want it gone now. But sometimes the stain’s been there for weeks (or months — I’m not judging), and it’s deep. I had a pasta sauce splatter on my favorite hoodie that took three separate cleanings to fade. But in the end, it looked almost new.

Try, rinse, dry (air dry!), and try again. You’d be amazed what persistence can do.

Step 5: When to give up (or go pro)

Know when to stop DIY-ing

If the item’s expensive, sentimental, or made of delicate material (silk, wool, leather…), it might be time to call in the pros. Dry cleaners exist for a reason.

Also, please — don’t Google random TikTok hacks and dump acetone or hair bleach on your couch. I’ve seen disasters. Literal holes.

Final thoughts: not all stains are forever

Look, I used to be that person who thought once it’s stained, it’s over. But now? I’ve saved clothes I thought were ruined. Couch cushions. Car seats. Even a friend’s wedding dress (long story involving red lipstick and a very enthusiastic hug).

The key is understanding the stain, using the right treatment, and giving it time. And hey — worst-case scenario? Tie-dye exists.

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How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

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Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.