Safely Tackling Household Stains in Your Upholstery and Carpets
Whether you have children, pets or both, one of the most frustrating aspects of home maintenance is dealing with dirt and stains. No matter how conscientious you are, accidents can happen that mar the look of your upholstery, carpets and rugs. Here are some tips for safe, natural stain removal that will help you keep on top of the situation.
Blood
The best way to remove blood stains, regardless of their age, is peroxide. First, test the peroxide in an inconspicuous area to check for colorfastness. If the blood stain is fresh, blot as much of it from the fabric as possible. The next step is to saturate the stain with regular household peroxide, then blot when the bubbling ceases. This works on old stains, also. Gently lift as much of the dried blood as possible with the tip of a kitchen knife, then saturate the remainder of the stain with peroxide. Repeat the process until the stain is completely gone.
Dirt and Mud
Vacuum or remove the excess debris with a cloth dampened in cold water. Treat the remaining stain with a solution of white vinegar and water; continue to apply and blot until the stain is gone. Flush with clean water and blot dry.
Paint and Other Coloring Agents
Crayon can be removed from carpets and upholstery by placing an 1/8″ layer of paper toweling over the spot and running an iron, set on medium heat, over the paper towel. The heat of the iron will melt the crayon and transfer it to the paper towel.
Paint and felt pen stains can be removed using a solution of liquid dish soap and white vinegar, one tablespoon of each, mixed with a litre of cold water. Sponge the mixture into the area and leave for about half an hour. Blot the liquid until the area is just damp, changing the paper towel frequently, then remove the remainder of the stain using rubbing alcohol on a clean cloth. Flush the area with water and blot dry.
Pet Stains
The best way to get rid of the sight and smell of pet stains is white vinegar and water. Remove any solid waste, and treat the area with a mixture of 1/4 cup of vinegar to one litre of plain, cool water. Apply and blot until the stain is gone, then flush with cold water and blot dry. The same mixture and procedure will remove liquid pet stains also. Just blot the excess liquid waste and then treat as you would a solid stain.
Baking soda or corn starch sprinkled onto rugs and upholstery and then vacuumed out will keep them smelling fresh. Just sprinkle lightly over the affected area, leave for about half an hour, them vacuum.
Food and Drink
The safest way to clean spilled food and drink is with either plain white vinegar or club soda. Both of these substances work on grease and spilled liquids. Just remove as much of any solid food as possible, then blot the stained area with a clean, cotton cloth soaked in vinegar or club soda until the stain is gone. Once the stain has been removed, rinse he area with clean water and blot dry.
For liquids, blot up as much of the spill as possible, then follow the procedure for food stain removal.
Those these tips are designed to help you maintain your interior fabrics naturally, it still helps to get professional carpet and rug cleaning services annually for deep clean and lasting care.
Image courtesy of photostock / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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