The kit · water
Cold water: what it removes and where never to use it
Tap water below about 30 °C / 86 °F.
- pH
- 7
- Safe on
- 0 materials
- Never on
- 0 materials
- Used in
- 691 files
01 How to use it
Run it through the back of the stain so the stain leaves the way it came in, or dab it on with a white cloth.
How it works
Water dissolves sugars, salts and fresh, water-based stains, and dilutes everything else before it can bond. Cool water is a common first step on compatible washable materials; some fabrics and finishes must not be wetted.
The table gives general restrictions; an unlisted restriction is not proof that a product is compatible.
02 What it works on
- Protein
- Sugar
- Tannin
- Dye
- Urine residue (urea, uric acid)
- Starch
Cold water is strongest against protein, and useful on sugar and tannin. It is part of the method in 691 stain files, for stains such as red wine, coffee, tea, cola, orange juice and beer.
03 Where it is safe
| Material | Verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Clothes | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| White shirt | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Jeans | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Linen | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Sheets and bedding | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Towels | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Baby clothes | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Polyester | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Leggings and activewear | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Wool and cashmere | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Silk | Test first | Silk can water-spot; dab the whole area to the seams so there is no hard edge to dry into a ring. |
| Rayon and viscose | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Carpet | Test first | Use small amounts and blot; flooding wets the padding or backing, which takes days to dry and can wick the stain back up. |
| Wool rug | Test first | Use small amounts and blot; flooding wets the padding or backing, which takes days to dry and can wick the stain back up. |
| Fabric couch | Test first | Use small amounts and blot; flooding wets the padding or backing, which takes days to dry and can wick the stain back up. |
| Microfiber couch | Test first | Use small amounts and blot; flooding wets the padding or backing, which takes days to dry and can wick the stain back up. |
| Velvet upholstery | Test first | Use small amounts and blot; flooding wets the padding or backing, which takes days to dry and can wick the stain back up. |
| Car seats | Test first | Use small amounts and blot; flooding wets the padding or backing, which takes days to dry and can wick the stain back up. |
| Mattress | Test first | Use small amounts and blot; flooding wets the padding or backing, which takes days to dry and can wick the stain back up. |
| Leather | Test first | Use a barely damp cloth only; standing water soaks in and leaves a dark mark. |
| Suede and nubuck | Test first | Only a barely damp cloth: water soaked into suede dries to a darker ring. For water marks, dampen the whole panel evenly and brush it as it dries. |
| White sneakers | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Marble | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Granite | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Quartz countertop | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Wood furniture and floors | Test first | Wipe and dry at once; water left on a finish turns into a white ring. |
| Tile grout | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Painted walls | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Plastic containers | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
04 How the files use it
Cold water appears in 691 stain files. The steps it is used in most:
- Flush with cold water (201 files): Cool water dilutes the stain before its colour has time to bond to the clothes.
- Sponge with cold water (184 files): Cool water dilutes the stain before its colour has time to bond to the carpet.
- Wipe with cold water (106 files): This dilutes and lifts what is still on the surface before it dries on.
- Rinse, blot, dry (62 files): Soap left in carpet attracts dirt and makes the spot reappear; pressing dry stops the stain wicking back up.
- Rinse, blot, brush (57 files): Residue and slow drying are what cause rings on upholstery.
05 Files that use it
- Red wine on clothes
- Coffee on clothes
- Tea on clothes
- Cola and soda on clothes
- Orange juice on clothes
- Beer on clothes
- Matcha on clothes
- Grape and cranberry juice on clothes
- Tomato sauce and ketchup on clothes
- Turmeric and curry on clothes
- Mustard on clothes
- Grease and cooking oil on carpet
- Butter on carpet
- Chocolate on clothes
- Berries on clothes
- Beetroot on clothes
- Gravy on clothes
- Salad dressing on carpet
- Egg on clothes
- Ice cream on clothes
- Soy sauce on clothes
- BBQ sauce on clothes
- Avocado on clothes
- Peanut butter on carpet
- Foundation and concealer on carpet
- Lipstick on carpet
- Mascara and eyeliner on carpet
- Nail polish on carpet
- Self-tanner and fake tan on clothes
- Hair dye on clothes
- Sunscreen on carpet
- Deodorant marks on car seat
- Bronzer, blush and eyeshadow on carpet
- Perfume on clothes
- Hair and body oil on carpet
- Benzoyl peroxide bleach marks on clothes
- Blood on clothes
- Urine (pets and people) on clothes
- Vomit (pets and people) on clothes
- Breast milk on clothes
06 Myth files
- Does saliva remove blood? On a pinprick of fresh blood it helps about as much as a dab of cold water. Its main enzyme digests starch, not blood.
07 Questions
What stains does cold water remove?
It works best on protein, sugar and tannin, which is why it appears in the files for red wine, coffee, tea, cola and orange juice.
How do you use cold water safely?
Run it through the back of the stain so the stain leaves the way it came in, or dab it on with a white cloth. Test on a hidden spot first.
What should you never mix with cold water?
This reference cannot establish that any commercial cleaner has no dangerous mixing partner. Do not combine cleaners unless their exact manufacturers explicitly permit the use; rinsing alone does not establish compatibility for later treatment.
Where should you never use cold water?
Nowhere on file is ruled out completely, but check the material file before using it on anything delicate.