Don't let those stains get you down : Rooftop Views

Rooftop Views

Don't let those stains get you down

Removing stains can be a daunting task, especially if it’s a tough stain that you haven’t had luck with in the past. Below are some simple solutions to removing common stains. Many of these solutions can be found at grocery stores or your local pharmacy.

Please see the following precautions prior to removing stains.

Before applying these stain removing techniques, read the fabric care tag on the article you are cleaning.

Pre-test stain removing solutions on an inconspicuous area of the article. Use a clean white cloth to rub solvents to ensure the color of the towel doesn’t transfer when wet.

Be sure to work on your stains in a well ventilated area.

Avoid solvent exposure to your eyes, skin or clothes; if exposure occurs wash area immediately.

Candle Wax - Place stained article between folded paper towels. Iron at low temperature. Replace papers and iron again. Continue changing papers and ironing until no wax remains. Sponge with a dry cleaning solvent, such as Carbona, Energine, K2R or Goddards, or petroleum distillate-based cleaners such as OOPS!.

Grass – Make a paste of powdered enzyme laundry detergent and water and apply it to the stain and let it sit in a warm place for at least 30 minutes. Wipe off excess detergent. Then with an eye dropper, apply a solution of one part white vinegar or ammonia to two parts water. Blot until all of the stain has been removed. Rinse in cool water and launder as usual.

Ballpoint Ink – Wipe off any excess ink and allow it to fully dry. Set the affected area face down on a clean towel. Spray the backside of the stain with hairspray, rubbing alcohol or nail polish remover. Blot the backside with a clean cloth removing as much ink as possible. Apply laundry pre-treatment and wash as usual.

Red Wine on Carpet – Blot the stain with paper towels or clean cloth. Combine 1 teaspoon of carpet cleaner or dish soap and 1 cup of hydrogen peroxide in a small bowl. Soak a clean sponge in the mixture, squeeze out the excess and gently blot the stain with the sponge. The stain should lift out completely. Then sponge the stained area with warm water and pat dry with a clean towel.

Lipstick – Blot any excess lipstick, and then with your finger, rub dish soap on the stain. Since lipstick is oil based, it’s best to use detergents that remove grease. Rinse with warm water, then wash. Don’t dry the article in the dryer in case the stain doesn’t fully come out, this way you can take it to a professional cleaner.

Rust – pots and pans – Cut a potato in half lengthwise and dip the inside in baking soda or salt. Wet the rusty pan and rub the potato on the rust spot and rinse.

Clothing – Lay the clothing on paper towels. Cut a lemon in half and squeeze the juice to saturate the stain (bottled lemon juice works too). Set the piece of clothing with the paper towels in the sun and the stain should disappear.

Berries – Boil a quart or more of water in a teakettle. Take the garment and pull it as taught as possible over a bath tub or sink. Then while the water is still very hot, hold the teakettle as high above the fabric as you can and pour the water in a steady stream directly on the berry stain. This should push the berry stain out completely.

Mud on Carpet – Remove any loose or wet mud. Make a paste with powdered detergent and water and rub it on the stain with a cloth. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes. Rinse out the cloth, removing all of the solution, in hot water. Rub the clean cloth on the stain in a circular motion until the stain disappears.

Not sure what the stain is exactly? There are some solutions you can use to treat mysterious stains.
Fels-Naptha – This bar soap is available at discount stores and grocery stores. It works well on clothes, upholstery as well as treating poison ivy!

Caldrea Stain Remover – Works best on organic stains.

Goo Gone – For adhesive removal. Works well on skin and most fabrics.

For more stain solutions visit: www.ehow.com, www.chemistry.co.nz/stain_frame.htm, http://home.howstuffworks.com/how-to-remove-stains-and-spots.htm

12:52 PM - Mar. 15, 2008 - comments {0} - post comment

Write a Comment

Your Name: RealTown Members: Click here to login

Your E-Mail:

Your Website:

Subject:

Your Comment:

If the editor doesn't appear, please click here.

Notifications: Notify me by email when new comments have been posted to this entry.

Privacy: Private Comment - Do not publish this comment to the public.

Verification:

To verify that you are a human and not a script, please enter the verification word from the image into the box on the right.