Food Stains can be either a protein base (meat blood, milk) or an acid base (vegetable, citrus).

For protein stains, if the safety of the fabric and dye will allow it, general washing powder will remove most recent milk stains in the wash because they contain alkaline salts which destroy protein. A household alkaline product containing ammonia will remove more difficult soiling including blood. Older milk stains may be difficult to remove and the fats may not wash out, so drycleaning is the best option as the process dissolves the fat while removing the protein from pre-treatment.

Most acid stains usually rinse out during normal washing. If they contain oil or prove difficult, take to a drycleaner for further treatment.