Appearance is one of the first impressions that can make or break a meeting with a client. Nothing is more embarrassing than entering a conference with a fresh sample of lunch leftovers clinging to your shirt or a last-minute discovery of an unexpected vent in your slacks.

However, there's no need to panic; chances are a quick remedy is readily available. With a little preparation, a surprise stain, split hem or lost button can be fixed in no time. For stains, cleaning agents such as glycerin, dry cleaning solvent, rubbing alcohol and even hair spray are easy to pack and remove a variety of unwanted spots on apparel. Double-sided tape is a quick fix for rips, seam splits and missing buttons, as are safety pins.

The following are some remedies for common business-travel stains:

• Coffee - Soak with cold water as soon as possible. If stubborn, gently rub the area with glycerin or try a couple of drops of liquid detergent.
  
  
• Ink - Repeatedly saturate with alcohol-based hair spray and blot the area with a clean rag. Seventy percent rubbing alcohol will also do the trick.
  
  
• Blood - As with many stains, timing is crucial. If fresh, remove by rinsing the area with cold water (never hot).
  
  
• Fruit juice - Repeatedly sponge with cold water. Persistent stains may require dabbing the area with white vinegar.
  
  
• Lipstick - Loosen stain with a dry cleaning solvent and rinse with the hottest water safe for the fabric. This will help dissolve the waxes and oils.
  
  
• Wine - Rinse the area with carbonated soda water. The bubbles will lift the stain out.
  
  
• Still haven't found a solution to your embarrassing clothing mishaps? Here are some more home remedies to solve common problems with business attire:
  
  
• When packing, avoid creases in clothes by rolling rather than folding.
  
  
• If an iron isn't available, remove wrinkles by hanging clothes in the bathroom while running a hot shower. The steam will loosen some fabrics.
  
  
• On new shirts, use a dab of clear nail polish to seal the thread holding the buttons to prevent unraveling.
  
  
• If in a pinch for shoe polish, use the cut half of a lemon. Rub the area generously and buff with a soft pad or cloth to shine.
  
  
• To remove grease spots on suede shoes, dip a clean rag in glycerin and rub away the defect.
  
  
• Carry a felt-tipped pen identical to your shoe color to hide scuffs and scrapes.