Stain and Surface Cleaner Finder

The right cleaner depends on the surface as much as the stain. Upholstery has a cleaning code on its tag (W, S, W-S or X) that tells you whether water-based cleaners are safe, and enameled cast iron, bare cast iron and leather each have their own care rules.

Pick the surface first, then the stain. The finder points to the cleaner type that published care advice recommends and links our full how-to for the method.

Quick finder

Which cleaner for this surface and stain?

Pick the surface and the stain to see the cleaner type its care advice points to, with matching products.

Every option in this finder

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Pick	Best for	On Amazon
Upholstery coded X: do not DIY it	Per American Leather, X means do not clean it yourself; hire a professional upholstery cleaner or check with the retailer. Guide
Upholstery coded S: a water-free solvent cleaner only	Per American Leather, S means use only water-free, solvent-based cleaners, because water can damage the fabric or leave rings. Ventilate the room. Test the cleaner on a hidden spot first. Guide	Search Amazon for Water-free (solvent) upholstery spot cleaner
Upholstery coded W: stay water-based	Per American Leather, W means water-based cleaners or mild detergents are safe: use a soft cloth or sponge with mild soap, blot gently and let it air dry. Test the cleaner on a hidden spot first. Guide	Dawn Dishwashing Liquid, Original Scent, 38 fl oz
Upholstery coded W-S: either type works	Per American Leather, W-S (or SW) means either water-based or solvent cleaners are safe, and it advises to always test any cleaner on an inconspicuous spot first. For ink only, a little rubbing alcohol on a cloth is a common spot treatment; test it on a hidden spot first. Guide	Dawn Dishwashing Liquid, Original Scent, 38 fl oz Search Amazon for 70% isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol
Carpet: grease or oil	HomeWise’s carpet guides use a mild dish-soap solution or a carpet spot remover. Test any cleaner on a hidden spot first. Guide	Dawn Dishwashing Liquid, Original Scent, 38 fl oz FOLEX Instant Carpet Spot Remover, 32 oz, with Reusable Cleaning Cloth
Carpet: wine, food or drink stains	A carpet spot remover is the HomeWise guide’s approach for drink and food stains. Test any cleaner on a hidden spot first. Guide	FOLEX Instant Carpet Spot Remover, 32 oz, with Reusable Cleaning Cloth Resolve Carpet Cleaner Spray, Stain & Spot Remover for Carpet, 32 fl oz
Carpet: pet or protein stains	HomeWise lists a carpet cleaner made for pet messes. Test any cleaner on a hidden spot first. Guide	Resolve Ultra Pet Carpet Cleaner Spray, Pet Stain Remover, 32 oz
Carpet: other stains	HomeWise’s carpet guide compares spot removers by job. Test any cleaner on a hidden spot first. Guide	FOLEX Instant Carpet Spot Remover, 32 oz, with Reusable Cleaning Cloth Carbona 2-in-1 Oxy-Powered Carpet Spot Cleaner, 13.5 fl oz
Leather: mildew	University of Missouri Extension: wipe with a cloth dampened in diluted alcohol (1 cup rubbing alcohol to 1 cup water) and dry in moving air. If mildew remains, wash with thick suds of a mild soap or saddle soap, wipe with a damp cloth and dry in an airy place. Guide	Search Amazon for 70% isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol Search Amazon for Leather cleaner Search Amazon for Saddle soap
Leather: other stains	Use a cleaner made for leather and test it on a hidden spot for color change first. Guide	Search Amazon for Leather cleaner
Enameled cast iron: Le Creuset	Le Creuset: let the pot cool, wash with warm water, mild dish soap and a soft or nylon sponge, and skip metal pads and abrasive cleaners. For stuck-on food, simmer water with 1 to 2 tablespoons of baking soda for 8 to 10 minutes. For tougher stains, Le Creuset names its own cookware cleaner, Bar Keepers Friend, or baking soda. Guide	Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Cleaner Bar Keepers Friend Cleanser
Bare cast iron: soap, brush, dry, oil	Lodge: soap is fine; scrub with a stiff-bristled brush or pad (nylon brush or pan scraper for stuck food), dry fully, then wipe on a thin coat of oil. Do not soak it or use the dishwasher. Guide	Search Amazon for Stiff nylon cast iron brush Search Amazon for Plastic pan scraper Search Amazon for Cast iron seasoning oil
Washable fabric: grease or oil	American Cleaning Institute: pretreat light grease with a prewash stain remover, liquid laundry detergent or detergent booster, then launder in the hottest water safe for the fabric. Mississippi State Extension gives the same steps. Check before drying. Guide	Shout Advanced Gel Laundry Stain Remover Spray, 22 oz Zout Laundry Stain Remover, Blood, Grass, Sauces & Oil Stains, 12 oz
Washable fabric: ink	American Cleaning Institute: sponge around the stain with rubbing alcohol, place it face down on clean paper towels, apply alcohol to the back, replace towels often, rinse and launder. Some inks may be impossible to remove. Guide	Search Amazon for 70% isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol Bounty Select-A-Size Paper Towels, White, 2 Triple Rolls = 6 Regular Rolls
Washable fabric: blood or protein	American Cleaning Institute: soak fresh blood in cold water (hot water sets it); for dried stains, pretreat or soak in warm water with an enzyme product, then launder.	Zout Laundry Stain Remover, Blood, Grass, Sauces & Oil Stains, 12 oz Search Amazon for Enzyme laundry stain remover
Washable fabric: mildew	American Cleaning Institute: launder with a fabric-safe bleach in the hottest water the fabric allows (badly mildewed fabric may be beyond repair). Missouri Extension adds brushing outdoors first and drying quickly in sun and air, and testing colors for colorfastness before bleaching. Guide	OxiClean Versatile Stain Remover Powder, 5 lb
Washable fabric: dye, food or drink color	American Cleaning Institute: for coffee, tea and wine, sponge or soak in cool water, pretreat with a prewash stain remover, then launder. For dye transfer, use a color remover on white fabrics only; on colored fabrics, use an oxygen bleach as the label directs. Guide	Shout Advanced Gel Laundry Stain Remover Spray, 22 oz OxiClean Versatile Stain Remover Powder, 5 lb
Washable fabric: wax	American Cleaning Institute: scrape off surface wax with a dull knife, press the stain between clean paper towels with a warm iron, then treat what is left with a prewash stain remover and launder. Guide	Shout Advanced Gel Laundry Stain Remover Spray, 22 oz Bounty Select-A-Size Paper Towels, White, 2 Triple Rolls = 6 Regular Rolls
Washable fabric: general marks	Check the care label, test any stain remover on an inconspicuous area first, and check the item before drying because heat can set a stain.	Shout Advanced Gel Laundry Stain Remover Spray, 22 oz OxiClean Versatile Stain Remover Powder, 5 lb

How this tool decides

Results come from the care and stain guidance in the sources below: upholstery cleaning codes, the manufacturers' own care pages for enameled and bare cast iron, and university extension and American Cleaning Institute stain advice. Products are the ones our how-to guides already list.

Always test a cleaner on a hidden spot first, follow the product label, and never mix cleaning products. For valuable or delicate items, ask a professional cleaner.

Sources

• American Cleaning Institute: Stain Removal Guide
• American Leather: Explaining Fabric Cleaning Codes (W, S, W-S, X)
• Le Creuset: How to Care For and Clean Enameled Cast Iron
• Lodge Cast Iron: How to Clean
• University of Missouri Extension: How to Prevent and Remove Mildew (GH5928)
• Mississippi State University Extension: How to Remove Pesky Stains
• Le Creuset: Care and Use

Related guides

• Read the couch stain guide by cleaning code
• Follow the grease-on-carpet steps
• Follow the red-wine-on-carpet steps
• Follow the pet-stain steps
• Compare carpet spot cleaners