Emergency fixes for coffe spills and other unexpected cloghint-stain disasters at work.

1. Coffee. Blot with cold water, then apply a little dishwashing liquid and rinse. Follow with white vinegar and rinse.

2. Ink. Place stain face down on clean white paper towels. Blot (don’t rub) the back of the stain with baby wipes. As the stain flushes through onto the towels, replace with fresh ones.

3. Gum. Run an ice cube across the gum to harden it. Then lift off (don’t scrape) large pieces. To remove final traces, dab gently with a baby wipe.

4. Blood. Blot with cold water, then use a bit of detergent and rinse on cotton, polyester, rayon, and linen, apply a drop of household ammonia and rinse. (Don’t use ammonia on silk and wool-it could damage or discolor fabric.)

5. Lipstick. Place stain face down on clean white paper towels. Dab the back of stain with a baby wipe and replace towels frequently. Let dry. If the stain is still visible, use laundry detergent and warm water.