You know it's summer when your social calendar starts filling up. From picnics and camp-outs to sporting events and weddings, it seems like every weekend from Memorial Day to Labor Day is booked before you even have a chance to think about spring cleaning. And the more social events you attend, the chances you’ll encounter a common summer stain mishap (or two) dramatically increase. With these tips from Tide®, you can learn how to handle any stain challenge that makes its way into your summer plans.

Picnics

Nothing says summer like a Fourth of July picnic. Why is it that we just can't seem to celebrate our country's independence without grilled meat, BBQ sauce, potato salad and ice cream? It's like the traditional Fourth of July menu was written into the Declaration of Independence!

But our forefathers left out the part about how to get rid of the stains that all-American fare can leave behind. Guess that's because they didn't know about Tide to Go®. This instant stain remover works on BBQ sauce and is perfect for picnics because it eliminates many embarrassing food and drink stains on the spot. If you're the host or a guest, be sure to have a Tide to Go handy so you can rescue yourself — and others — from a BBQ stain emergency.

For ice cream dessert stains, if you can, immediately rinse the soiled area of the garment in cold water to dilute the stain. Then when you get home, pretreat with Tide Liquid, soak for 30 minutes in cool water, and wash in warm water. (Do not use hot water as it will tend to "set" this type of stain.) For more stain solutions, such as mayonnaise, and egg, visit Tide Stain Solutions.

Camp-outs

Ready for some family bonding? Just stick everyone in a tent for a few days and you'll never feel closer — literally. Okay, maybe that's the one downside of camping — that and all the laundry it seems to generate thanks to the days spent hiking in the hot sun and the nights spent sitting around a campfire eating s'mores.

Here's how to treat deeply soiled fabrics that have succumbed to some of the most stubborn camping stains:

• Perspiration — Soak the garment for 30 minutes in a gallon bucket by adding 1/2 use Tide per gallon of water, then wash in warm water with your favorite formula of Tide.
• Sunscreen — Pretreat and wash in warm water using Tide Liquid.
• Grass — Soak the garment for 30 minutes in a gallon bucket by adding 1/2 use Tide with Bleach Powder or Tide with Bleach Alternative per gallon of water, then wash in warm water with Tide with Bleach Powder or Tide with Bleach Alternative.

Entertainment events

Who doesn't love catching a ball game, a car race, a concert or the opening of a theme park during the warm summer months? But there is a common element of all these exciting events that no one loves — concession stand food stains!

Just remember to put a Tide to Go Mini in your purse, backpack or pocket before you head out. It can remove those ketchup stains that always seem to happen thanks to loaded stadium dogs.

The kids can't ever seem to come home from the amusement park without a drop of ice cream on their shirts. And you're no better. You can't make it through a concert without spilling  some beverage on your shorts. Just visit the Tide Fabric Advisor for tips on how to get out these other stain slip-ups.

Weddings

Here comes the bride...and here comes the stains. Wine and lipstick are two of the most common stains that will have you saying "I don't" when celebrating a summer nuptial.

For red wine, run cold water over the stain right away. Then pretreat with Tide Liquid , soak for 30 minutes in warm water, and launder in hottest water safe for fabric.

For lipstick, scrape and treat the stained area with dry-cleaning solution, rub with Tide Liquid and scrub the stain under hot water. Then wash in the hottest water safe for fabric.

Relax and enjoy yourself this summer! You won't have to worry about stains spoiling your plans — just remember to invite Tide along.