Stain Removal

Bad stains and spots and their improper removal leads to discarded clothes. With the right stain removal tips, you can extend the life of your clothes, furnishings and carpets. Stain removal is vital to good housekeeping and can be a painstaking and exhaustive process. Stain removal from carpets needs careful handling lest you damage the carpet. Look for easy solutions for ink stain removal and blood stain removal.

Stain removal

To remove beer stains, mix a teaspoon of mild detergent with a cup of lukewarm water and blot the stain. A solution of white household vinegar can also work wonders. You can remove fresh stains of coffee and tea by rinsing the fabric in warm water. Wash it in soapy fabrics and dry it in the sun. Remove tea stains with a solution of borax and water.

For women facing cosmetic stains on apparel and upholstery, sponge a little dry cleaning solvent on the stain. You can rid your fabrics of deodorants and antiperspirant stains by blotting them with spot stain removers and warm water. Laundry bleach can also be used. Freeze chewing gum and adhesive stains so that they can be scraped away. You can also use stain removal sprays or gels.

Removing stains from delicate fabrics such as wool and silk requires deft handling lest you ruin the fibers. Chlorine bleach can help in stain removal on white clothes. Done occasionally, it can keep your white clothes bright and clean. Use heavy-duty liquid detergents to remove unsightly rings around the collar.

Carpet stain removal

The first tip in carpet stain removal is to follow the care instructions issued by the manufacturer. The type of fibers determines the kind of stain removal treatment that must be used. Check out stain removal products on an inconspicuous area with patterned carpets. Act quickly with stains on the carpet.

It could make the difference between a ruined carpet and one sans stains. Try and absorb as much as the spill with white paper tissues or scoop up solids. Do not scrub at stains as it can damage the fibers and set the stain into the carpet. Try and work inwards from the edge of a stain. In this way you can prevent it from spreading.

Never rub a stain on a carpet as it will distort the pile and spread to a larger area. Do not soak the carpet with stain removal agents. For stubborn stains on the carpet, use 3% hydrogen peroxide. Let it stand for an hour and blot till the carpet is stain free. When the carpet is dry, vacuum to restore the texture.

Ink stain removal

With school kids, you can't avoid ink stains on clothes. For those of you who have been exasperated with ink stain removal methods, try the method that best suits the type of ink spilt. Since inks differ in composition, there is no one solution for all ink stains. Stains with permanent inks and markers are the most difficult to remove. For removal of water-based ink stains, lay the stained area on a clean dry and white towel.

Apply water to the ink stain and use another clean white cloth to blot the stain. Apply laundry detergent on the ink stain and wash in warm water after about 5 minutes. Try rubbing alcohol to remove ink stains. Make sure you rinse the stained area completely free of the rubbing alcohol. Nail polish remover may also serve the purpose. Try rubbing baking soda mixed with water into the ink stain. Rinse thoroughly.

Stain removal tip

Pick up some vital stain removal tips, ones that will help you manage your fabrics, upholstery and carpets better.

• Try and confine stains to as small a spot as possible. Use paper towels or rags to contain the spill. You can use the damp cloth to rub the stain from the wrong side. Carefully blot or scrape excess stains from the fabric surface.
  
  
• Test the stain-removal technique on less visible areas of the garment. Wait for about 15 minutes for the stain-removing product to set undisturbed. Stain removal can take time. Sometimes repeat treatments may be required.
  
  
• Follow the directions on any stain removal products you use. Don't forget to follow washing directions on the stained clothes.
  
  
• Never rub stains on fabrics since it breaks down the fibers and weakens the material.
  
  
• Use a clean old towel on the work surface to protect the untarnished area of the fabric.
  
  
• A vital tip in stain removal is to ensure that the stain is completely removed before using dryer, as it might set a stain. Do not press a stained fabric or dry it in the dryer.
  
  
• If you face unknown stains, you can work on them by first soaking them in cold water, after working a little laundry detergent or shampoo.
  
  
• Don't mix stain removal products as it can result in toxic odors and mixed results.
  
  
• Stubborn stains may need professional cleaners

Blood stain removal

Never soak a bloodstained garment in hot water, as it will set the stain. Rinse in cool water. Stain removal products made of carbonate peroxohydrate or oxygenated bleach can be used for bloodstain removal. Alternatively try a dilute solution of hydrogen peroxide. You can even leave it soaked overnight in the solution and rinse. A home remedy for bloodstain removal is to liberally coat the stain with salt. Rub it and wash as usual.