News and Information for Moving Claims Adjusters
Killer Cleaning Guide to Remove Evil Stains
by J. Timothy Wilson
Before attacking any stain, there are a few common ground rules.
- Act quickly. If at all possible, minimize the damage by lightly blotting or scraping off any excess
- Read the care label (if available) to make sure that the stain removal suggestion won't harm the stained item.
- Read the label of the item causing the damage to see if it has any directions or helpful information.
- If it is a particularly unusual fabric or item, consider admitting defeat before doing further damage. Asking for professional help may cost a bit more, but may also successfully salvage your favorite leather jacket.
TYPE OF STAIN and TREATMENT
Remove Marker Ink
Hair spray will remove magic-marker ink from surfaces.
Remove Blood From Furniture
Use hydrogen peroxide to remove blood from clothing or furniture. Rub gently.
Remove Dust
Use small paintbrushes to dust cracks and crevices in telephones, stereos, etc.
Clean Dirty Corners
Cut an old whisk or paintbrush at a 45-degree angle.
Remove Smoke Odor
Place a bowl of vinegar out to absorb smoke odor.
Butter/Cooking Oil
Use talcum powder/cornstarch to absorb as much oil as possible. Then rub shampoo on the stain and wash the fabric with the hottest water it (and you) can stand
Chocolate
Wet the fabric with tepid water and apply a prewash treatment and rinse. Wash normally, but don't machine dry unless the stain has been removed. If the stain remains, repeat the prewash/soak phases.
Crayons/Other Wax
Scrape off as much of the offending substance as possible. Place the fabric between two layers of tissue and then gently iron the area. (This should drive the wax out of the fabric). Then use an enzyme soak or the nonflammable stain remover (applied from the back of the stain) and hand wash. Repeat if necessary
Lipstick
Try the nonflammable stain remover (again applying lightly from the back of the stain). You can also try applying a prewash stain remover and rinsing the item. The last suggestion is to rub the stain with liquid detergent and then rinse with warm water.
Shoe Polish
Scrape off as much of the shoe polish as possible. Then clean the stain with a mixture of isopropyl alcohol and water (equal portions of each). White fabric may be able to handle undiluted alcohol. Run through the laundry as usual.
Alcohol Stains
If new: Rinse with cold water immediately. If the stain resists this, try soaking the fabric in tepid water, and some liquid detergent plus a few drops of vinegar. Then launder as usual.
If old: Rinse with cold water, and then soak the item in warm water with an enzyme presoak. Put in the laundry as usual.
Blood
Soak the fabric in cold water, and then rub some liquid detergent on the stain and rinse in cold water. Then pour some hydrogen peroxide on the stain. Keep the peroxide on for five minutes maximum and then rinse the fabric clean in cold water. Rub more detergent on the stain and launder in warm water.
Carpet Stains
For fruit juice and wine, speed is of the essence. Lightly (and we mean lightly!) blot the stain to remove any excess. Then, pour club soda on the stain, the bubble should "lift" any of the liquid that went below the top of the carpet. Blot lightly. Repeat until the stain is removed.
Egg
Scrape off any excess and soak in cold water mixed with an enzyme presoak for about half an hour. Launder in cold water.
Fruit and Fruit Juice
Immediately soak in cold water. Cover the stain with a paste made from colorfast bleach, a little hot water and a few drops of ammonia. Let sit for 15-20 minutes and then launder as usual.
Grass
Soak the fabric in cold water and sponge the stain with isopropyl alcohol (tip: test the fabric first in a hidden area to make sure the color won't be affected by the alcohol) If the stain remains, try soaking the fabric in an enzyme presoak for a half-hour. Then launder as usual.
Gum
Place the item in the freezer (or use ice cubes in a pinch) to harden the gum. Then scrape the gum off the fabric. Use a nonflammable stain remover (on the back of the stain) and let air-dry. Launder as usual.
Ink
Apply isopropyl alcohol to the fabric around the stain and then directly to the stain. Place the fabric, stain-side down, on a paper towel. Apply alcohol to the stain to drive it into the paper. Rinse well and rub the fabric with detergent and then hand wash in hot water.
Ketchup
Apply a prewash treatment on the stain and soak in an enzyme presoak for half an hour and launder as usual.
Mud
Let the mud dry. When it has dried completely, beat the fabric to loosen as much mud as possible. If there is a remaining stain, rub in a paste of liquid detergent and colorfast bleach and wash as usual.
Paint
(water-based) Again, speed is of the essence here. Rinse the fabric thoroughly with warm water. Apply an enzyme presoak in warm water. Rinse again and then hand wash.
Paint
(oil-based) Scrape off as much paint as possible. Lightly, sponge on some paint thinner and blot the stain with a paper towel.
Rust
Dampen the fabric with cold water. Apply a mixture of lemon juice and salt. Steam the stain over a pot of boiling water. Rinse thoroughly and wash normally.
Soft Drinks
Soak the stain in cold water and sponge on a mixture of cold water and isopropyl alcohol (mixed in a 50-50 ratio). Air dry.
Toner
Use a cloth dipped in cold water. Wash clothing in cold water. Hot water and a hot dryer will set toner
Remove Bathtub Rings
To avoid bathtub rings, don't use oily bath preparations. If a ring does form, wipe it off with undiluted ammonia (wear rubber gloves) or a wet sponge generously sprinkled with baking soda. Rinse clean and wipe dry. For a more stubborn stain, scour with automatic dishwashing detergent or rub with a cloth dipped in vinegar.
Clean White Sinks
For light stains, rub with a fresh cut lemon. For dark stains (like rust) rub with a paste of borax and lemon juice.
Clean Chrome
Club soda or seltzer water will clean chrome.
Clean Scuff Marks
Use 3 tbsp. of TSP (trisodium phosphate) to a gallon of water to clean scuffmarks or crayon marks off walls. TSP can be found in the paint department of a hardware store. Wear gloves and do not use on semi-gloss or gloss paint or wood surfaces.
Remove Coffee Stains (Try one of the methods)
Dip a white cloth into a beaten egg yolk and rub the yolk into the stain. Then rinse with clear water. Work denatured alcohol into the stain, and then rinse with water. Apply a solution of 1/2-teaspoon mild detergent in a pint of water. Blot with a white towel. If the stain remains, apply a 50-50 solution of water and white vinegar and blot.
Freshen A Rug
Sprinkle a little baking soda on rugs before you vacuum. It will help give a room a clean, fresh scent.
Remove Heel Marks
Use a pencil eraser on black heel marks.
Remove Mildew
To remove mildew from the corners of the tub, dip cotton balls in bleach and let them sit, when you finish cleaning the bath, remove the cotton and rinse the corner.
Remove Refrigerator Odors
A little vanilla poured on a piece of cotton and placed in the refrigerator will eliminate odors. After cleaning the refrigerator add a dash of lemon extract to the rinse water for a fresh scent. An open box of baking soda left in the refrigerator will also do wonders.
Remove Blood Stain
Cornstarch can remove bloodstains. Rinse the stain in cold water, and then rub in moistened cornstarch. Place the item in the sun.
Remove Candle Wax From Walls
Candle wax can be removed from walls or other surfaces with an iron and facial tissue. Set the tissue over the wax and gently iron. When the wax seeps through or the tissue begins to brown, apply a new tissue.
Repair Cigarette Burns In Carpets
Cigarette burns in carpeting can be repaired by cutting the blackened fibers from the hole. Squeeze liquid glue into the hole and fill with fibers trimmed from carpet remnants.
Remove Water Spots
To remove water spots on stainless steel, rub area with a clean, soft cloth dampened with white vinegar. Then wipe dry to avoid spots.
Remove Stains From Concrete
A combination of detergent and hot water can be used with a hard brush or broom to clean driveway or garage floor of various stains.
Unstick Stuck-On Food/ Baked-On Stains In Pans
For stuck-on food on a casserole dish or pan, try adding 2 tablespoons of baking soda and boiling water to cover the stuck-on food. Let set for a while. It will loosen the stain and will be much easier to clean.
Unstick A Door
Car wax or silicone spray will help unstick a door
This information is extracted from www.02simplify.oxygen.com (no longer a vlaid site, but extracted in 2000 with edits, changes, additions) with great appreciation. Check that website for possible updates.
The Wood Works Inc of Overland Park (Greater Kansas City metro), Kansas 66202 —
Should not be used by others without giving due credits.
The Wood Works, Inc. (www.thewoodworksinc.com and themovingclaims.com) is located in the Kansas City metropolitan area. We have been serving our customers for 30 years in the areas of wood restoration and repair, moving claim resolution and repair, cabinet refacing and repair and interior and exterior shutters. |
