1. The longer a stain remains, the tougher it is to remove.

2. Always treat a stain before laundering.

3. Blot gently — never rub; and don’t ever blot with hot water.

4. As for those neckties… Do not spill on them. Period. It’s that simple. The bias cut and delicate fabrics make ties, as you have probably learned, almost impossible to clean. But as for those cotton shirts and wool pants:

Lipstick: Blot with a baby wipe or a washcloth moistened with rubbing alcohol.

Blood: If it’s fresh, blot repeatedly with cold water, an ice cube, or club soda; if it’s dried, use a 3 percent hydrogen-peroxide solution.

Oil: Cover with talc or baby powder immediately and allow it to sit at least a half hour. Then brush it off, apply a stain remover (such as Spray n’ Wash), and wash in the hottest water the fabric can stand.

Ink: On cotton, apply rubbing alcohol to the spot, then wash. On polyester, spray liberally with hair spray and pat with a clean, dry cloth. Then wash.

Red wine: Douse with salt, dunk in cold water, blot until the stain disappears, and wash as soon as possible. If you’re at dinner and unable to strip down, soak the spot with club soda and get home to your washing machine ASAP. Or even better drop it off at the nearest Courtesy Cleaners location to handle.