The single most important rule of stain removal is speed: the longer a stain sets, the harder it bonds to the fibre. The second rule is to blot, never rub, because rubbing pushes the stain deeper and damages the weave.
Different stains need different chemistry. Coffee and wine are tannin stains that respond to cool water and mild acid; oil and grease need a solvent or degreaser; protein stains like blood must be treated with cold water, never hot, which sets them permanently.
When a stain is on a delicate or expensive garment, professional treatment is worth it. PRESSO pre-treats every stain with material-specific solutions before cleaning, and we always tell you upfront if a set-in stain can only be lightened rather than fully removed.