Removing Tough Stains
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Occasionally, you’ll come across a stain that is difficult to remove. Most common stains are removed using a certain solution, elbow grease and patience. Solutions for a few typical household stains are outlined below:
Blood
Most fresh blood stains are removed with simple, cold water. Hydrogen peroxide and shampoo help to remove blood from clothing. Set in stains require a few tricks. For dried blood in the carpet, cover the stain with cold water and pour
table salt directly on the stain. Wait several minutes and using a table knife, scrape at the salt to remove it from the carpet. The blood is absorbed into the salt and can be removed by vacuuming up the salt. For removing blood from walls, use a standard soap and water solution.
Ink
A few options are available for removing ink. Professional stain removal products work or try using a home made solution of
lemon juice and
salt for white fabrics or soaking it in milk overnight for colored. Acetone also removes ink but it can discolor the surface if used on upholstered, carpeted or fabric surfaces. For harder surfaces, a
whitening toothpaste removes ink.
Crayon
Use toothpaste or a cloth soaked with ammonia to remove crayon from a painted wall.
Wax
Remove spilled candle wax from
wood floors using a
blow dryer and a paper towel. For
carpets and
upholstery, place a brown paper bag over the wax and heat it with an iron. The wax absorbs into the bag.
Bubble Gum
Place the item in the freezer to harden the gum. Once it is frozen, chip away at it to remove it. If it leaves a soiled ring, use a cleaning solution to remove it. If gum is in the carpet or upholstery, use an ice cube to freeze the gum and remove the same way. A carpet or upholstery cleaner should remove any excess residue.
Grass
Apply
hydrogen peroxide directly on the stained surface. After the solution has foamed up, wipe it away along with the grass stain.
Scuff Marks
Black scuff marks left from shoes are removed using a
pencil eraser.
Hard Water Stains
Remove hard water from glass surfaces by rubbing them with
steel wool and
vinegar. Create a paste using
baking soda and vinegar for bathroom fixtures.
Rust Stains
Several professional rust removing solutions are available on the market. As rust stains are difficult to remove, do some research to find a solution that works for you. Super Iron Out makes a solution that can be used on a number of different surfaces including
dishwashers,
bathtubs,
sinks,
toilets and even
clothing.
Garage Oil Stains or Spills
Apply cat litter directly over the oil spill. Let it sit over time allowing the cat litter to absorb the oil. When ready, sweep up the litter and toss in the garbage.
Soap Scum
Use an
alkaline soap scum remover, often found at
janitorial supply stores to remove stubborn or tougher soap scum. Once it has been removed, prevent it from building back up by applying a coat of lemon oil on tile surfaces and boat or
car wax on tub walls. Do not use the wax on the bottom surface of the tub.
Toilet Bowl Ring
For a stubborn ring, use a heavy duty acid-based bowl cleaner and apply it with a green scrub sponge. For serious rings, a pumice stone can be used but it can only be used on a white vitreous china toilet. The pumice stone will damage other surfaces. Wet the pumice stone before rubbing and ensure it is wet throughout the process. Rub on the ring until it is removed.
Tar
If tar appears on floors or is on the bottom of shoes, paste removes it.
Hair Spray
Use a diluted solution of
shampoo to remove hair spray from walls and other hard surfaces.
Ring around the Collar
Apply a small amount of
hair shampoo to the ring as it is designed to remove body oils.
Pet Urine
Remove as much of the urine as possible using dry paper towels or rags. Once you have removed as much as possible, apply a pet odor neutralizer and/or a bacteria/enzyme digester available in most pet stores. Consider renting a professional carpet cleaning system or wet-vac to remove heavier stains.
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