The dog days of summer call us to beaches, pools, campsites, concerts, and backyard barbecues. But if you’re not careful, all that fun and sun can lead to a hot mess of drips, drizzles, and splashes.

The quicker you treat a stain, the better your chances of removal. Blot, don’t rub, to lift the stain without spreading it. Different stains require different treatments—check the fabric care label ...