Household Cleaning: Stains

Stain Remover (Fruit/Wine/Coffee)

Things You Need: White Vinegar Salt Borax Lemon Juice Rubbing Alcohol White Wine Soap

Fruit Stains

Soak in cold water 30 minutes; rub soap into remaining stain; then “bleach” with lemon juice and sunlight. Soak in vinegar. Stretch fabric over sink and pour boiling water onto stain (can be used for tea stain, too)

Wine Stains

Dab out excess moisture with and absorbent cloth and sprinkle lots of salt on the wine stains. Let sit several hours. When dry, vacuum. Blot with a soft cloth to absorb wine. Then apply rubbing alcohol, borax, or white wine to blot out the stain. Use salt to absorb moisture.

Chocolate/Coffee Stains

Soak the fabric in cold water, rub with soap and borax solution, rinse, and then launder.

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Stain Remover (Rust, Aluminum, Grease, Scorch)

Things You Need: Baking Soda White Vinegar Cream of Tartar Borax # Cornmeal Cornstarch Olive Oil Lemon Juice Salt Aluminum Foil

Rust Stains

To Remove from Clothing: moisten with lemon juice, sprinkle with salt and expose to sunlight. To Remove from car Bumpers or golf clubs: Briskly scrub with a piece of aluminum foil that is crumpled up.

Stains on your Aluminum

Remove mineral deposits in kettles or pans by using a solution of 1/2 cup of white vinegar and 1 qrt water (or equal portion to the vinegar). Bring the solution to a boil and let it sit over night.

Grease Stains

Apply paste of cornstarch, water, baking soda, or cornmeal. Let it dry and brush off. Sponge spot on suede with a cloth dipped in white vinegar. Dry and brush.

Scorches

To remove streaks or heat stains on stainless steel rub with any of the following: olive oil, club soda, or white vinegar.

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Stain Remover (Ink/ Blood/ Presperation)

Things You Need: White Vinegar Salt Borax Lemon Juice Rubbing Alcohol White Wine Soap

Ink Stains

Wet fabric with cold water and apply a paste of cream of tartar and lemon juice. Let sit for 1 hour and wash as usual. Another solution is to mix 1/3 cup of white vinegar and 2/3 cup of water. Apply a small amount to the stain and blot until no more of the stain can be removed.

Blood Stains

Immeadiately clean stain with club soda or sponge with cold water, then dry with towel. Repeat as needed. Or "bleach" with 1/4 hydrogen peroxide. Let it sit for a few minutes then wash.

Lipstick Stains

The stain on white fabric can be removed by rubbing with a slice of white bread.

Perspiration

Sponge stain with a week solution of white vinegar and water or lemon juice and water.

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Pet Stain Remover

Things You Need: White Vinegar Baking Soda Hydrogen peroxide Dish Soap

Pet Urine Stains

If the cat/dog has recently urinated on the carpet, first absorb as much of the urine as possible using paper towels. Wet the area with a solution of 50% water. Allow it to dry. Apply a liberal amount of baking soda over the affected area and drizzle it with a quarter of a cup of hydrogen peroxide mixed with a teaspoon of dish soap. Work it in with a scrubbing brush to dissolve the baking soda and work it down into the carpet. Allow it to dry, then vacuum.

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