BUTTER, GREASE, SAUCES : If a greasy mark forms first scrape the surface of the stain with a spoon or knife to remove any excess oil. Then soak a cloth in proprietary dry cleaning fluid and dab the area gently.

ALCOHOLIC DRINKS (excluding red wine) : Dab gently with an absorbent cloth to remove as much excess liquid as possible. Sponge the area sparingly with a mixture of warm water and surgical spirit in equal parts.

MUD : Allow to dry then brush away. Rub on using a mixture of one table spoon ammonia for 1 liter water.

WAX : Scrape off as much wax as possible from the garment with a spoon or blunt knife. Place blotting paper over the mark and iron gently on dot 2 setting.

BLACK COFFEE : Mix alcohol and white vinegar in equal parts, soak a cloth in the solution and dab the stained area carefully before pressing gently with an absorbent cloth.

CHOCOLAT, WHITE COFFEE, TEA : Dab gently around the edge of the stain with a cloth soaked in white spirit before following instructions for black coffee.

MACHINE GREASE : Dab with a cloth dampen with white spirit. Finish with some cotton wool dampen with triclorethylene.

LIPSTICK, MAKE-UP, SHOE POLISH : Rub gently with a cloth soaked in turpentine or white spirit.

TUBE GLUE : Remove a maximum of glue. Dab with a cloth dipped in acetone or nail polish solvent.

CHEWING-GUM : Dilue with acetone or solvent. Remove with clean cloth.

INK, BALLPOINT PEN : Rub gently with a cloth soaked in white spirit. Repeat with a cloth soaked in white vinegar or surgical spirit.

FRUIT, FRUIT JUICE, RED WINE : Dab the stain quickly with a mixture of surgical spirit and water (3:1 ratio).

GRASS : Apply soap carefully (a mild tablet soap or flakes) or rub gently with a cloth soaked in surgical spirit.

EGG, MILK : Rub gently with a cloth soaked in white spirit. Repeat the action with a cloth soaked in diluted white vinegar.

BLOOD : Quickly dab a damp sponge on the mark to remove excess blood. Rub the area very gently with undiluted vinegar then dab with cold water.

URINE : Act as quickly as possible. Blot the area with a dry sponge to absorb as much excess liquid as possible before applying undiluted vinegar. Then treat as for blood.

NAIL POLISH : Dab with a cloth dampen with acetone.