When you spill red wine on your favorite shirt or get a grease stain on your jeans, it may seem impossible to get your clothes to look normal again. There is a way to remove just about every stain, provided that you know these simple techniques.

1. Tackle it quickly. Never let a stain set into your clothes, even if you’re away from home when it happens. Pre-treat the affected area with a stain remover, and be sure to toss a portable version in your purse or glove compartment.
2. Know the types. Dye stains such as coffee, tea, or ink are the easiest to remove, and simply require running the stain under cold water and then washing in hot water. Protein stains like sweat or blood need to be treated with an alkaline stain-removal solution, while stains caused by lipstick, ketchup, and crayons require a combination of the other two treatments.
3. Take care of delicates. If you stain delicate articles of clothing, don’t fret. Simply rub the stain with a solution of equal parts salt and lemon juice using a soft cloth or your finger to loosen the stain without damaging the fabric. Let it dry in the sun and it should look as good as new.

Stain Removal Smarts [She Knows]
How to Remove Stains [Esquire]
Stain Removal Tricks and Shortcuts [Real Simple]
Stain Removal Chart [For Better Living]

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/Wicker Paradise

Every neighborhood needs a good wine bar, and the Cellar Door is Katy's. There are hundreds of wines from which to choose, and you can purchase them in tasting flights, as well as by the glass or the bottle. The food menu offers light fare that complements the wine, with a special emphasis on charcuterie plates, signature flatbreads, and desserts. The setting is dim, cozy, and intimate. It's good for a romantic date, but is also a nice environment for a relaxed, leisurely evening with close friends.

The Cellar Door offers weekly tastings and wine appreciation classes for those who are interested in developing their palates. There's even a wine club for devoted wine enthusiasts, which hosts monthly tastings and offers exclusive, premium bottles for members to take home and enjoy. Wine club members also receive a discount on all Cellar Door food and events.

The Cellar Door
829 South Mason
Katy, TX 77450
(281) 599-3303
www.cellardoorkaty.com
www.yelp.com/biz/the-cellar-door-katy

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr/Sonja Pieper

It's easy to see why Mazzei's Gourmet Pizza claims to serve "the best pizza you will ever have," because this popular Katy eatery takes the classic Italian pie to a whole new level. At Mazzei's you'll find unique combinations, like the Aloha pizza, which substitutes pesto for traditional red pizza sauce beneath ham, pineapple, artichoke hearts, bacon, and feta cheese. Or try the Alfredo pizza, which starts with a base of creamy white sauce, piled high with chicken, mushrooms, spinach, and parmesan.

Of course, you'll find classic basil, tomato, and mozzarella combinations, too, and customers are also free to design a pizza with customized toppings. Any pizza can be ordered Neapolitan style or deep dish, and regular customers say that though it takes longer for a deep dish pizza to bake, the wait is well worth it. If pizza's just not your thing, don't overlook the rest of the menu, because Mazzei's pastas, paninis, and calzones are also popular choices with loyal followings of their own.

Mazzei's Gourmet Pizza
6868 South Mason Road
Katy, TX 77450
(281) 579-1677
www.mazzeisgourmetpizza.com
www.yelp.com/biz/mazzeis-gourmet-pizza-katy

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr/cyclonebill