How to tackle every household stain with our top tips
May 6, 2022 | Household Advice | No comments
Stains are no match for us, and they shouldn’t be one for you either! That’s why we’ve got the ultimate guide to getting rid of tough and stubborn stains around your home.
Whether it’s a red wine spill after a hard day, paint marks that have made it past the carpet protector or hair-dye that can get just about anywhere, sudden stains can really ruin your day. So, no matter what stain you’re wanting to tackle, here are some great tips and products to get your clothes and carpets spotless once more.
Stains – you’re not sta’in!
Wine
We’re going to call it and say wine is your biggest stain issue right now! You’re enjoying a nice glass after a hard day and, all of a sudden, it’s everywhere. Instead of ramping that stress back up, here’s how to sort it.
Spilt on clothes?
Fill a sink or a bucket with warm water and washing detergent, then gently soak the item for about an hour or so. Afterwards, gently wring out the excess water and wash in your machine as normal.
Spilt on the carpet?
Dab out as much of the stain as you can with a microfibre cloth and warm water. Apply an effective stain remover and leave for around 3 minutes, then gently dab again with a wet cloth. For more stubborn stains, repeat the process and leave the stain remover for a little longer.
Tea and Coffee
Similar to wine, coffee and tea stains can be a nightmare! Act quickly and follow these tips for fast and easy removal.
Spilt on clothes?
Pour warm water directly on the garment and add a few drops of laundry detergent. Gently rub this in, then rinse. You could even use some white wine vinegar mixed with water. Then pop it in the wash on a normal cycle.
Spilt on the carpet?
Similar to wine stains, dab the stain with a cloth and leave a stain removal solution for around 3 minutes or more, depending on the stain. Wash away with warm water and the stain should be no more!
Ink & Felt Tip
Whether the kids have got hold of the pens again or you’ve dropped your markers and ink onto the floor, there’s no need to panic! Just read on instead…
Spilt on clothes?
Blot the stain with a dry paper towel to remove as much as possible. Place a clean white cloth under the garment beneath the stain and moisten with an ink and felt stain remover. Leave for 3 minutes (10 for larger stains) and dab with a clean damp cloth.
Spilt on the carpet?
Dab the stain with a dry paper towel to remove as much as possible. Try using oil-free hairspray on a dry cloth and dab the stain until it fades. If this doesn’t work, apply a carpet stain remover directly onto the stain and let it soak for around 60 seconds. Dab the stain with a clean cloth and warm water.
Paint
Children’s Paint
Let’s deal with the easy kind of paint first. If your kids have somehow got more paint on their clothes and your carpet than the actual paper, here’s how to remove it!
Spilt on clothes?
Children’s paint is usually washable so it should be pretty easy to remove from clothes. It’s best to get it before the stain completely dries. Use a spoon or dull knife to remove as much of the paint as possible, apply a washing detergent to the marks and wash as normal.
Spilt on the carpet?
Again, spoon as much of the paint off as possible and it should easily remove with a carpet stain remover and a wet cloth. If the paint has dried, try dabbing it with some nail varnish remover until it starts to fade.
Wall Paint
Now for the real pain! Removing wall paint from your latest decor phase can be quite the task. Luckily, we’ve got tips on how to do it.
Spilt on clothes?
Place a clean white cloth under the garment beneath the stain and thoroughly moisten with a paint stain removal solution. Leave it to work for 3 minutes (10 for stubborn stains) and gently dab away with a clean, damp cloth. Wash in your usual cycle to completely remove.
Spilt on the carpet?
Blot the spot with a wet paper towel to remove as much paint as possible. If the stain is dry, apply a small amount of dish detergent with hot water and let it sit for a few minutes. Use a knife to gently scrape the paint as it softens. Then, clean with a carpet stain remover and vacuum. If you have a steam cleaner, this is great for helping to soften and remove.
Mud and Grass
If you’re around children or are a budding gardener, mud and grass stains will be something you come across a lot! Let’s take a look at how to handle them.
Spilt on clothes?
Place a clean white cloth under the garment beneath the stain and thoroughly moisten the stain with a mud and grass stain solution. Leave for 3 minutes (10 for stubborn stains) and dab with a damp cloth. Wash on your normal cycle to remove completely.
Spilt on the carpet?
It’s usually the mud from shoes that spreads around your carpet. A normal carpet stain remover and some elbow grease should do the job!
Cooking Oil and Fat
If you’ve been trying your hand at cooking, oil and fat can splash out on your clothes. If this is a mishap you’re stuck having to deal with, here’s what you can do.
Spilt on clothes?
If you’re mid cooking, try and take a quick break to act fast with this type of stain. First, dab the area with a dry paper towel to remove as much as possible. Then apply a cooking oil and fat remover to the area, leave for 3 to 10 minutes and gently remove with a damp cloth.
Alternatively, you can try baking soda and washing up liquid. Cover the area with baking soda and leave to soak for 30-60 minutes, then scrub with an old toothbrush. For the remaining stain, apply a small amount of washing up liquid with your fingers and wash as normal.
Hair Dye
If you’ve decided to be your own hairdresser and dye your hair, stains can be a real risk. However, not everyone knows how to deal with this dilemma when it occurs…
Spilt on clothes?
Rub some laundry detergent onto the stain, rub with a soft-bristled brush and rinse well. Wash in your normal load and repeat if necessary. If it’s white clothing, don’t cry – instead, apply some chlorine bleach, soak for 15 minutes and rinse well.
Spilt on the carpet?
Use a spoon or knife to remove as much of the hair dye as you can. Mix two cups of cool water, a tablespoon of distilled white vinegar and a tablespoon of dishwashing liquid and dab the area with a cloth or sponge. Leave the solution on for 10-15 minutes then blot with a paper towel. Repeat the process if necessary.
Antiperspirant & Sweat
If you’re an experienced jogger, gym-goer or you partake in sports activities, you’ll no stranger to antiperspirant and sweat stains and smells. Here’s how to nip these in the bud!
As soon as you’ve finished your exercise, take off your clothing and moisten the stain with an antiperspirant and sweat stain remover. Leave the solution to work for up to 30 minutes and wash as normal.
Baking soda is also great for this. Mix 4 tablespoons with warm water, rub it into the stain and leave the item to soak for around 2 hours. Then wash as normal.
Top Tips
- Treat stains as soon as possible – fresh stains are always easier to remove as they have not yet set into the fabric.
- Be wary of using hot water, as heat can often “set” a stain.
- Do not soak wool or silk. Instead, use a specialist ph-neutral detergent to protect the delicate fibres.
- Always treat a stain from the wrong side of the fabric.
- Never rub – always dab. This is to stop stains from spreading and reduces the risk of fibre damage.
- Always work inwards to the middle of the stain to avoid spreading the mark further. Alternatively, place a clean cloth under the stain and work the stain and stain remover onto the cloth underneath.
- Always check wash care label instructions as some fabrics are not suitable for stain removers which contain enzymes.
With many of these common stains, it’s best to pop the item in the washing machine following your removal. Here are 7 washing machine settings you probably aren’t using that will help you with the chore!
Tags: Household Chores, stain removal
