Stains You Thought Were Permanent—Removed by Barton and Miller Cleaners

Ever had a stain so bad you thought your favorite outfit was ruined for good? Maybe it was a glass of red wine spilled on your evening dress, a grease stain on a fine suit, or ink smeared across your best shirt. These are the types of stains most people give up on.

But at Barton and Miller Cleaners, we specialize in removing the “impossible” stains—those deep, stubborn marks your home washing machine can’t handle no matter how many times you spin it. Using professional-grade stain removal techniques, advanced cleaning solutions, and our expert SENSENE® dry cleaning process, we’ve rescued countless garments that seemed beyond saving.

Read on to see how we’ve restored seemingly ruined clothing—proving that no stain is truly impossible.

1 | Wine Stains

A wine spill is one of the most dreaded stains—especially when it lands on white fabric or delicate materials like silk. The tannins in wine bond quickly to fabric fibers, making removal difficult without the right treatment. Many people try to soak, scrub, or sprinkle salt on the stain, but these home fixes can spread or worsen the discoloration.

How we remove it:

Our SENSENE® dry cleaning process breaks down wine at the molecular level, lifting the stain without spreading it. We use specialized pretreatment solutions for aged stains to restore the fabric’s original color.

Best for:

Delicate fabrics like silk, wool, and high-end garments where DIY solutions could cause damage.

2 | Grease and Oil Stains

Cooking oil, salad dressing, motor oil, and even butter leave greasy, transparent stains that seem impossible to wash out. Water alone doesn’t break them down, and standard laundry detergent often isn't strong enough.

How we remove it:

We use solvent-based stain removers like AlbaChem PSR II Powdered Dry Cleaning Fluid that cut through the oil and fully lift the stain. Unlike home treatments, our methods prevent grease rings from forming around the stain.

Best for:

Work uniforms, dress shirts, pants, and delicate fabrics like silk that can easily absorb oil.

3 | Ink and Permanent Marker Stains

Ink stains are one of the most feared fabric disasters—especially permanent markers, which are designed to stick. Ballpoint pen ink contains dyes and oils that sink deep into fibers, while markers use pigments that chemically bond with fabric.

How we remove it:

Our specialized solvent treatments break down ink molecules without damaging the surrounding fabric or causing it to bleed and spread further. For gel pens, ballpoint ink, and permanent markers, we use a multi-step approach to extract the stain layer by layer.

Best for:

Office wear, dress shirts, uniforms, and high-end fabrics where DIY removal can cause more harm than good.

4 | Blood Stains

Blood stains are tricky because they contain proteins that bind to fabric when exposed to heat. The longer they sit, the harder they are to remove—especially if washed incorrectly at home.

How we remove it:

We use enzymatic cleaners that break down proteins while keeping fabric intact. For dried blood stains, we use a combination of gentle soaking and professional dry cleaning solvents.

Best for:

Medical uniforms, white fabrics, and delicate materials where protein-based stains are difficult to remove at home.

5 | Food Stains

Sauces, condiments, chocolate, and berries can leave deep stains that cling to fabric fibers. Many food stains contain a mix of oils, dyes, and proteins, making them extra challenging.

How we remove it:

We analyze the stain type and use targeted stain removers (we have over 8 of them!) to break stubborn stains down. For protein-based stains (like egg or dairy), we avoid heat to prevent setting.

Best for:

Everyday clothing, formalwear, and children’s clothes where food stains are common.

6 | Coffee, Tea, and Soda Stains

Coffee and tea stains seep deep into the fabric and become more difficult to remove over time, especially on light-colored garments. Soda stains, on the other hand, often contain sugars and dyes that leave behind residue and discoloration.

How we remove it:

We use professional-grade stain removers that neutralize tannins and lift the stain completely. Our process also prevents fabric yellowing over time.

Best for:

Business attire, dress shirts, and light-colored clothing where coffee and tea spills are common.

7 | Makeup and Deodorant Stains

Foundation, lipstick, and deodorant stains can cling to fabric and create discoloration over time. Some makeup products contain oils, waxes, and dyes that don’t break down easily in regular washing.

How we remove it:

We use solvent-based and oil-cutting stain removers to break down makeup without spreading it. Deodorant stains are treated with fabric-safe acid neutralizers to remove yellowing and buildup.

Best for:

Delicate clothing, uniforms, and eveningwear that need stain-free perfection.

8 | Rust and Mystery Stains

Rust stains can appear from old washing machines, metal furniture, or even buttons and zippers on clothing. Mystery stains? We’ve seen them all—sometimes fabric discoloration appears from unknown sources, but that doesn’t mean it’s permanent.

How we remove it:

We use specialized rust removers and deep-cleaning solutions that break down iron oxide through a chemical reaction to extract stains without weakening fabric. For mystery stains, we test different treatments to determine the best removal method.

Best for:

White and light-colored clothing, linens, and any garment affected by rust or unknown discoloration.

Have a Stain You Can’t Fix? Barton and Miller Cleaners Can!

We’re exposed every day to spills, splatters, and accidents that can leave our clothes looking ruined. Some stains seem impossible to remove, but at Barton and Miller Cleaners, we have saved garments most people would rather discard. Whether it's a wedding dress with a mystery stain, a favorite shirt that needs professional care, or your entire wash and fold load, we have you covered.

Have a stain emergency? Email us at bartonandmillercleaners@gmail.com or stop by one of our store locations in South Florida today! You may also call our team at (954) 566-4314.