THE SHORT ANSWER
Blot up the excess with a clean white cloth. Do not rub.
Why wool changes the answer
Wool can be damaged by inappropriate detergents or rough handling. A washable wool label changes the options; dry-clean-only wool should be handled by a specialist. Tea tannins may leave visible colouring as liquid dries.
A careful step-by-step approach
- 1
Lift or blot immediately
Blot up the excess with a clean white cloth. Do not rub.
- 2
Read the wool care label
If it says dry-clean only, or the garment has structure, lining or an unknown finish, stop after dry blotting and contact a professional.
- 3
If the label permits washing
For a washable wool item only, test an inconspicuous area and gently dab with a lint-free cloth lightly dampened with cool water and a wool-approved detergent diluted according to its label. Do not soak or rub.
- 4
Blot and dry as labelled
Remove residue sparingly with a barely damp cloth, blot with a dry towel, and dry in the way the wool care label instructs. If a mark persists, use a wool specialist.
What not to do
- Do not rub, scrub or aggressively abrade the spot.
- Do not use enzyme laundry products, bleach or high heat on delicate fibres.
- Do not skip a hidden-area colourfastness test when using a cleaner.
What if it already dried?
A cool-water rinse and fabric-safe pretreatment are good first choices on washable garments. A dried stain can require different handling and may be less responsive to treatment. Our tool generates a separate plan that accounts for timing while preserving the same material safeguards.
Sources and care guidance
These directions are a conservative synthesis of published care resources—not a claim that we have tested this item. The item's actual care label and maker directions take priority.
- Woolmark: Wool Care — special handling for wool fibres
- GINETEX: ISO 3758:2023 care-label symbols explained
- CDC: Cleaning-chemical safety — do not combine cleaners