How To Remove The Most Stubborn Stains
We all treasure our precious linens, sheets, carpets, and clothes, which is why we are always mindful in making sure that they do not get stained. But no matter how hard we try to protect our garments, stains just have their own way of getting into them. And yes, we can’t always stress out about it because it’s part of our daily lives.
Taking stains out— no matter how big or small— is always a headache. Sometimes, when we are lucky enough and the stain has not seeped deep into the fibers, we can remove them in just a single wash. But there are some stains that are just so stubborn, and they require more than hard work.
Here, we will tackle everything you can do to keep your garments fresh and bright again, like they have never even been stained.
For rugs and upholstery, use a solution of water and bleach alternative on the stain, then dab it with a clear hot water cloth. Then dab the damp area with a clean towel. If your carpet is white or light in color, it will appear bleached; but, if you leave it alone for a few weeks, the color will even out. Keep in mind that hydrogen peroxide can bleach out the color of darker carpets and furniture.
You can rub liquid laundry detergent and cold water on the stain to remove it. Then, soak it for 5 to 30 minutes until the stain lightens. When it does, you can carry on washing it as usual.
If the stain gets on your carpet or rugs, you need to do a different method. Using clean paper towels or white cloth, blot the stain to absorb any extra liquid. However, this method only works if the stain is fresh.
If not, combine 1 teaspoon liquid detergent and 1 cup warm water. Then use some paper towels or absorbent cloth to blot the stained area. Combine 1/3 cup white vinegar and 2/3 cup lukewarm water in a clean, white towel and sponge the area. Finally, wipe the area with a clean cloth after sponging it with clean water.
Wash the garments with a heavy-duty detergent in the hottest water temperature possible. Then, add one cup of distilled white vinegar when rinsing to remove the odor. If the smell and the stain still persists, soak it overnight in a solution of cool water and 2 cups white vinegar. Then, wash again like you did the first time. (Bonus tip: air drying the garments in the sun is a great way to remove the odor.)
If it gets on your rug, be ready for a bit of an exercise. Work on the stain immediately and soak up urine stains with paper towels, old white cloth, or a pet vacuum. If you're using a cloth, press it firmly into the stain using an old shoe. Keep moving to a dry area or new paper towel to remove as much of the liquid as possible. You can also make your own stain removal solution by mixing one-part distilled white vinegar and one-part cool water. Make sure the carpet is properly saturated all the way to the backing. Allow the stain to air dry after working it thoroughly into the fibers with a soft-bristle brush. Blot the solution away with paper towels or a shop vacuum.
Once the stain is dry, sprinkle a lot of baking soda into it. Combine 1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide and two cups of cool water, then spray or pour the solution onto the baking soda and rub it into the carpet using a soft bristle brush. Allow the carpet to air dry away from direct heat by blotting or vacuuming away the wetness. Vacuum the carpet after it has dried to lift the fibers.
You can also use a wet cloth or sponge with isopropyl rubbing alcohol and use to clean the stained fabrics. Then, allow it to air dry before rinsing with cool water. Rinse well with a liquid or powdered detergent. Air dry it one more time, then you can wash it as usual.
Taking stains out— no matter how big or small— is always a headache. Sometimes, when we are lucky enough and the stain has not seeped deep into the fibers, we can remove them in just a single wash. But there are some stains that are just so stubborn, and they require more than hard work.
Here, we will tackle everything you can do to keep your garments fresh and bright again, like they have never even been stained.
Removing Ink Stains
Seriously, these stains are by far one of the most persistent ones! And it’s not like you can just bleach them to get it over with. To remove ink stains, you first need to stop it from spreading as soon as possible. Using petroleum jelly, make a "dam" around it. Then, put isopropyl alcohol or rubbing alcohol on a clean toothbrush or an eyedropper and apply it on the stain. To remove any residue, dab with a cotton ball and mineral spirits. Allow to air dry before rinsing with a dish soap.Removing Wine Stains
To remove wine stains on your clothes, hold the fabric wrong side up under running cold-water to force the stain out. Then, mix oxygen bleach and cool water and soak the entire garment for at least one hour or overnight as needed. Check the stains every hour, and if the stain fades away, carry on with a regular wash cycle.For rugs and upholstery, use a solution of water and bleach alternative on the stain, then dab it with a clear hot water cloth. Then dab the damp area with a clean towel. If your carpet is white or light in color, it will appear bleached; but, if you leave it alone for a few weeks, the color will even out. Keep in mind that hydrogen peroxide can bleach out the color of darker carpets and furniture.
Removing Coffee and Tea Stains
Coffee and tea stains on your clothes can be easily removed if you work on it as soon as possible. You can pour cold water through the back of the stain to immediately remove it. But if it doesn’t work, there are other stain removal tricks you can do.You can rub liquid laundry detergent and cold water on the stain to remove it. Then, soak it for 5 to 30 minutes until the stain lightens. When it does, you can carry on washing it as usual.
If the stain gets on your carpet or rugs, you need to do a different method. Using clean paper towels or white cloth, blot the stain to absorb any extra liquid. However, this method only works if the stain is fresh.
If not, combine 1 teaspoon liquid detergent and 1 cup warm water. Then use some paper towels or absorbent cloth to blot the stained area. Combine 1/3 cup white vinegar and 2/3 cup lukewarm water in a clean, white towel and sponge the area. Finally, wipe the area with a clean cloth after sponging it with clean water.
Removing Pet Urine and Stains
Our furry little friends are heaven-sent, that’s for sure. They are like little balls of sunshine that uplifts our spirits and keeps our endorphins high. But the stains they leave behind are an ultimate challenge to get out. But here’s how you can get rid of them, and the smell it comes with.Wash the garments with a heavy-duty detergent in the hottest water temperature possible. Then, add one cup of distilled white vinegar when rinsing to remove the odor. If the smell and the stain still persists, soak it overnight in a solution of cool water and 2 cups white vinegar. Then, wash again like you did the first time. (Bonus tip: air drying the garments in the sun is a great way to remove the odor.)
If it gets on your rug, be ready for a bit of an exercise. Work on the stain immediately and soak up urine stains with paper towels, old white cloth, or a pet vacuum. If you're using a cloth, press it firmly into the stain using an old shoe. Keep moving to a dry area or new paper towel to remove as much of the liquid as possible. You can also make your own stain removal solution by mixing one-part distilled white vinegar and one-part cool water. Make sure the carpet is properly saturated all the way to the backing. Allow the stain to air dry after working it thoroughly into the fibers with a soft-bristle brush. Blot the solution away with paper towels or a shop vacuum.
Once the stain is dry, sprinkle a lot of baking soda into it. Combine 1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide and two cups of cool water, then spray or pour the solution onto the baking soda and rub it into the carpet using a soft bristle brush. Allow the carpet to air dry away from direct heat by blotting or vacuuming away the wetness. Vacuum the carpet after it has dried to lift the fibers.
Removing Grass Stains
Apply a spot treatment of liquid detergent to the stain and let it soak for 15 minutes. Rub the solution in with a clean toothbrush before cleaning as usual.You can also use a wet cloth or sponge with isopropyl rubbing alcohol and use to clean the stained fabrics. Then, allow it to air dry before rinsing with cool water. Rinse well with a liquid or powdered detergent. Air dry it one more time, then you can wash it as usual.