20 Expert Tips and Tricks
20 Expert Tips and Tricks to Combat Summer Spills
- Act Quickly: The faster you address a spill, the less likely it is to become a permanent stain.
- Blot, Don’t Rub: Always blot the spill with a clean cloth or paper towel. Rubbing can spread the stain and push it deeper into the fabric or carpet.
- Use Cold Water: For most spills, especially protein-based ones like milk or blood, cold water is more effective than hot water.
- Keep a Stain Removal Kit Handy: Include items like white vinegar, baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, dish soap, rubbing alcohol, and clean cloths.
- White Vinegar and Dish Soap: For most stains, mix one tablespoon of dish soap with two cups of cold water and add a tablespoon of white vinegar. Apply to the stain and blot.
- Baking Soda Paste: For oily spills, mix baking soda with a bit of water to make a paste. Apply to the stain, let it dry, then vacuum it up.
- Hydrogen Peroxide: For tougher stains like red wine or berry juice, dab the area with hydrogen peroxide. Test on a small area first to ensure it doesn’t bleach the fabric.
- Salt for Red Wine: If you spill red wine, blot up the liquid and cover the area with salt. The salt will absorb the wine. Vacuum the area after it dries.
- Club Soda: Club soda is great for lifting stains from carpets and upholstery. Pour a bit on the stain, blot, and repeat until the stain is gone.
- Rubbing Alcohol: For ink or marker stains, apply rubbing alcohol to a clean cloth and dab the stain. Be sure to test on a small, hidden area first.
- Enzyme Cleaners: For protein-based stains like blood or vomit, use an enzyme cleaner to break down the proteins and lift the stain.
- Ice for Gum: If gum gets stuck in fabric or carpet, freeze it with ice cubes. Once frozen, it should be easy to scrape off.
- Lemon Juice and Sunlight: For stains on white fabrics, apply lemon juice and let it sit in the sun. The natural bleaching action can help remove the stain.
- Cornstarch for Grease: Sprinkle cornstarch on grease stains and let it sit for 15-20 minutes before vacuuming.
- Shaving Cream: For general carpet stains, apply shaving cream, let it sit for 30 minutes, then blot and rinse with a vinegar-water solution.
- Ammonia for Blood Stains: Mix one tablespoon of ammonia with half a cup of water, apply to the stain, blot, and rinse with cold water.
- Pet Stain Remover: For pet stains, use a cleaner specifically designed for pet urine. These cleaners often contain enzymes that break down the urine proteins.
- Baby Wipes: For quick clean-ups, especially on upholstery, baby wipes can be surprisingly effective.
- Avoid Heat: Do not use hot water or a hot dryer on a stain, as heat can set stains permanently.
- Professional Help: For persistent or large stains, consider calling a professional cleaning service to ensure the stain is fully removed.
