Knowing how to remove stains is knowledge that every man should learn. It suggests you are an independent, self-sufficient fellow; a man of good habits; a gent no longer living in his mother's basement.

WORKING WITH COMMON FABRIC

Before you launch into treating a stain you need to consider the fabric of your garment. Each fabric may require a slightly different treatment product or method.

The first thing you should do is check the garment’s care Label. The following are methods to remove stains from these common fabrics:

COTTON

Cotton is a versatile fabric and a number of treatment methods can be used to remove stains without damaging the fabric.

WOOL

Wool is not as durable as cotton. Many commercial stains may damage the wool fibres. Use specific wool detergent and for knitwear dry flat to maintain its shape. For suit stains it is recommended to check with your professional dry cleaner.

SILK

Silk is a delicate fabric. If in doubt, seek the services of a professional dry cleaning service.When treating a stain on silk it is important that the whole garment is submerged. This will avoid water spotting.

SYNTHETIC

Synthetic fabrics come in many different types and are quite durable. Most synthetic materials respond well to detergents that contain enzymes. Harsh chemicals in bleach my damage synthetic materials.

1. BABY FORMULA

Any father who has not spilt baby formula on himself has not fed his baby. Lucky, it's a pretty straightforward stain to remove.

Pretreat garment using a product that contains enzymesSoak it a minimum of 30 minutes, or up to two hours for a set stain.Wash as per Label Instructions.

2. BAKED BEANS

Delectable as they are, the sauce heavy content almost guarantees you will be branded by Heinz at some inconvenient moment. Key here is to treat the stain as early as possible.

Turn garment inside-out and flush the back of stain with cold waterUse a liquid laundry detergent and a soft brush using an up and down motion to break up the stainSponge with white vinegar and rinseRepeat step 2 & 3 until most of the stain is removedPretreat garment with pre-wash stain remover and wash as per label instructions.

3. BIRD DROPPINGS

Pigeons and seagulls, the Luftwaffe of the skies.

Scrape off excess bird dropping, careful not to spread the stainTurn the fabric inside out and run under cool water to flush out as much of the bird dropping as possiblePretreat with laundry detergent that contains enzymesWash in the hottest water the fabric label recommends. Use colour-safe bleach if the fabric allows

PROTIP: Apply a bit of oxygen bleach paste if stain persists. Let it sit for a few minutes and then repeat step 4.

4. BEER

To spot clean turn garment inside out and run with cold water on affected area for several minutesMix liquid laundry detergent with cold water and pour over the beer stain. Let it stand for five minutesFor dried beer stains add a bit of baking soda to the process and wait about fifteen minutes before rinsing awayWash as per label instructions.

5. BLOOD - FRESH

The trick to removing blood is to act quickly. Get your notepad out, Dexter.

Soak in cold water for 30 minutes (warm water will set the stain)Wash as per label instructionsIf stain remains use a fabric friendly bleach.

6. BLOOD - DRIED

Turn it inside-out and flush back of stain with cold waterUse a liquid laundry detergent and a soft brush using an up and down motion to break up the stainSponge with white vinegar and rinseRepeat step 2 & 3 until most of the stain is removedPretreat garment with pre-wash stain remover and wash as per label instructions.

7. BUTTER

Any man who eats vegemite on toast knows the best time to consume it is when the butter is at near melting point. But this is the danger-zone, where the generous dollops of butter either slide down your gullet or drip down your front.

Pretreat with a prewash stain removerWash as per label instructions and use a warm temperature if the care label permits.

8. CANDLEWAX

The power is out or, to use an oft American expression, "what happens in Vegas..".

Scrape off as much wax as you can with a dull knifePlace affected area between paper towels and press with an iron on low heat to allow wax to absorb into paper (replace paper towel regularly)Sponge the back of the remaining stain with prewash stain remover and then blot with a paper towel before allowing to dryWash as per label instructionsIf colour remains rewash with sodium hypochlorite or oxygen bleach. Check label!

9. CHOCOLATE, CAKE, FATTY GOODNESS

Every man knows where his partner hides the secret chocolate stash, and he has been known to, on occasion, send in the raiding party. But when the chocolate fights back, follow these simple instructions.

Gently scrape off any access immediatelySoak in cool water as soon as is possiblePretreat with a prewash stain remover and wash as per label instructions at the hottest temperature possible.

10. COFFEEAccording to Research from the University of California, one is more likely to spill coffee when carrying it and on his seventh or eighth step. Apparently it's all about your gait.

Blot away any excess with a paper towelRun stain area under cold water for three to five minutesAdd a few drops of detergent on both sides, run under cold water, and gently rub it until it lathersLet detergent set for five minutes. Wash garment as per label instructions.

11. COLOGNE, AFTERSHAVE, HER PERFUME

Prevention is always better than cure. Avoid applying cologne or aftershave directly on clothes. Shirt off is the safest approach.

Pretreat with prewash stain remover or liquid laundry detergentWash as per label instructions

12. CRAP - POO, WEE

Small children, elder grandparents or just a weak bladder. As the saying goes, s*** happens.

Pretreat by soaking 'soiled' garment in a litter of water for 20-30 minutes. Add a tablespoon of ammonia (or white vinegar) and a table spoon of liquid detergentWash as per label instructionsPrior to drying make sure the stain is removed, otherwise it might set, and that would be crap in more than one way.

13. COSMETICS

Yours, hers. It makes no difference. The treatment is the same.

Rub with a bar of soap (or pretreat with a prewash stain remover)Wash as per label instructions.

14. CRAYONAgain, probably for the Dad's amongst you. Art is fun. Art on Dad is funner'er.

A few spots:

Dampen the stain and rub with a bar of soap (or treat the same as a candle)Wash as per label instructions.

A considerable attempt at art:

Wash with hot water and laundry soap with 1 cup of baking sodaIf colour remains use sodium hypochlorite bleach in normal wash cycle.

15. DEODORANTS – HEAVY STAIN

The problem with deodorant stains is that they won't show up straight away, so you don't notice them until they're set. Using your nose and treating early is your best bet.

Pretreat with prewash stain removerWash as per label instructions with an oxygen bleach

16. DEODORANTS – LIGHT STAIN

Avoid applying deodorant directly on your clothes. Shirt off is the safest approach.

Pretreat with a prewash stain remover 2. Wash as per label instructions.

17. EGG

Breakfast seems to be a danger-zone for men and their clothing. We can also add egg to this movable feast. Although if we must be specific, the bacon and egg roll is suspect number one.

Pretreat using a product containing enzymesSoak for at least 30 minutes or several hours for set stains 3. Wash as per label instructions.

18. FRUIT JUICE

Wash as per label instructions and use a fabric-safe bleach.

19. GREASE AND OIL

Thank goodness, a stain we can actually be proud of.

Cover stained area generously with either baby powder, cornstarch or saltRemove baby powder carefully with either a spoon or paper towelWork a small amount of dishwashing liquid and water into the stain with your thumb. Once it begins to lather use an old toothbrush and rub the stain in circular motionsWash individually as per label instructions.

PROTIP: Be sure to attack the stain from both sides of the fabric.

20. ICE-CREAMFollowing on from above, after giving your primal urges a 4,000 pound sword, you reward yourself with a healthy serving of your favourite Belgian Chocolate Ice Cream. Content. Oblivious to the chocolate ice cream now running down your front.

Soak stain for 30 minutes with a product containing enzymesWash per label instructions at warmest water temperature.

21. INK

Straight off the bat, gents, some ink is impossible to remove.

Pretreat using a prewash stain removerWash as per label instructions.

22. MAYONNAISE

Similar to the bacon and egg roll, watch out for the back-end of that sandwich.

Pretreat using a prewash stain removerWash at the warmest temperature as per label instructions

23. MOULD AND MILDEWMould and mildew (early-life mould) are fungi that happily and quickly grow anywhere there is moisture.

Wash at the warmest temperature as per label instructions with bleach safe for washing fabric.

NOTE: Washing may not be able to remove badly mildewed fabrics.

24. MILK

Pretreat stains with product that uses enzymesSoak between 30 minutes to several hours depending on the age of the stainWash as per label instructions.

25. MUD

Once dried brush off as much as you can.For light stains pretreat with powder detergent and water. Wash as per label instructionsFor heavy stains pretreat or presoak with a product containing enzymes.

26.MUSTARD

Mustard goes on just about anything read meat. It's ubiquitous use among us men warrants an instruction on how one might remove it from ones clothes.

Place soiled area under a cold running tab to loosen the stainPretreat with a prewash stain removerWash at the warmest temperature as per label instructions with chlorine bleach – if permissible.

27. PAINTIt can be very difficult to remove dried paint from clothing.

For water-based paint rinse fabric in warm water while paint is still wet and then wash as per label instructionsFor oil-based paint or varnish test a bit of turpentine (or suggested thinner on can) on the back of a cuff. If ok, apply to affected area and rinsePretreat with prewash stain remover, rinse and then wash as per label instructions.

28. PERSPIRATION

They say success is 99% perspiration! So the next time you're sweating uncontrollably during an important presentation, just remember, people are probably thinking, "That guy's made it."

Either use a pre-wash stain remover or rub with a bar of soapIf perspiration has changed the colour of the fabric (e.g. that yellow hue), apply ammonia to fresh stains or white vinegar to older stains – then rinseWash at the warmest temperature as per label instructions – use an enzyme based product for stubborn stains.

29. SHOE POLISHBeing a polished gent should not be taken in the literal sense.

Liquid shoe polish

Pretreat with powder detergent and water 2. Wash as per label instructions

Solvent-based (paste) shoe polish

Scrape residue from fabric with a dull knifePretreat with a prewash stain remover or cleaning fluid; rinseRub detergent into dampened areaLaunder using a fabric friendly bleach.

30. SOFT DRINK

Sponge the area with cool water or soak in cold water for 30 minutesPretreat affected area with a prewash stain removerWash according to label instructions and if the label permits add chlorine bleach.

31. TOMATO BASED SAUCE

Turn inside out and rinse from the back of the stain with cold water for about three to four minutesPretreat by dabbing the stain with liquid laundry detergent and let it set for several minutes. Rinse. Dap with vinegar and rinse again. Apply a stain removerWash the garment as per label instructions.

32. TOOTHPASTE

Toothpaste stains usually occur in the morning, often when we're still half asleep. Like deodorant, shirt off is a safe approach. Toothpaste can be tricky to remove, depending on the fabric and colour.

Gently remove as much toothpaste as possible. Dampen slightly if it is dried onPretreat the stain with a prewash stain removerWash as per label instructions.

33. WATERMELON

The problem with watermelon stains is that they will not leave any visible stain but when oxidised the affected area will turn into a pale yellow or brown stain. Speed is key.

Wash in the warmest water according to the label instructions.

34. WINE"El vino did flow".

Use cool water to either sponge the affected area or soak for 30 minutesPretreat with a prewash stain removerWash according to the label instructions and use a bit of chlorine bleach in the wash if the label permits.