3 DIY Tips For Removing Clothing And Carpet Stains

Ever have kids dripping ice cream or juice all over your house? Have you also spilled food on your expensive sofa or rug? Stains can really be a problem as these can deface surfaces. If these are not completely removed, they will make things look old and grubby. So, how do you clean away stains? Do you have to pour bleach to get rid of unsightly blemishes? Bleach isn’t the answer to all stain problems as this can cause discoloration especially if you use a more concentrated formulation. If there are stubborn stains on delicate items or if you don’t know how to get rid of tenacious post-construction stains, for instance, you can call a commercial cleaning service for help. But there are also many DIY ways when getting rid of common stains. Below are some examples.

Things You’ll Need

You probably already have the items that you will use for stain removal. Some common things you should have around are – sponges, absorbent and clean wash cloths, paper towels, and a knife. (Use one with a dull edge when scraping away cake, icing or chocolate on a surface.) Cleaning solutions that you will often use include – vinegar, baking soda, hydrogen peroxide (bleach), and alcohol.

Getting Rid of Stains

1. Dealing with Fruit Juice Stains

When your toddler spills grape juice on your new cream carpet, don’t panic. Quickly blot the spill using a clean cloth, sponge, or paper towel. Take care not to rub the area as this will only cause the carpet to further absorb the juice. Mix a teaspoon of mild dish detergent with warm water and use this to remove the stain. Rinse with warm water or some vinegar. The vinegar will help in extracting the stain from the carpet. You can use this technique when removing fresh, canned or powdered juice.

2. Getting Rid of Coffee or Tea Stains

Beverages, such as tea and coffee, can produce dark-colored stains that are hard to remove. But there are ways to take out such discolorations using preparations that contain vinegar and baking soda. As mentioned, vinegar helps in pulling away stains. Use a teaspoon of vinegar with a liter of water. Spray the mixture onto the affected area and blot. Do these steps a few times or until the stain has cleared. As for baking soda, this absorbs stain. What you can do is dampen a clean absorbent cloth with warm water, and sprinkle some baking soda onto it. Then, gently rub the stain using the cloth. Avoid using bleach, especially with marks on colored fabrics, as this can cause permanent discoloration.

3. Eliminating Stains on White Cloth

Perhaps the easiest way to remove stains is when these are on white washable cloths. Hydrogen peroxide, which is a primary component in bleach, can be used to remove common dirt, food, and also blood stains. There is no issue about discoloration when using bleach on white cloth as the cleaning agent can actually help not only in stain removal but also in brightening your whites. To use, add some bleaching solution to soapy water where the stained cloth is soaked for about 15 minutes. There are formulation instructions included in labels, and these vary depending on the concentration of a product. Some laundry detergents also contain bleaching agents. Before you use bleach, always read the care instructions of a fabric or cloth.