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Stain Removal Guide-- Stain Removal -- Let me guess...... You've had the party, it's been fantastic fun, the kids have had a day to remember and so do you - stains!. Your carpet has trampled in mud all over it, the furniture has 'sticky stuff' in unsuspecting places, there are juice stains on your sofa and you don't know which of those cleaning products under the sink to use. Well don't panic as most stains can be removed with a little know-how and I've got a great list of stain removal tips. Next time however, try and get to this stain removal page before your party. Then you'll be well prepared and spills won't worry you. A few golden rulesFirstly, accept that spills and dirt marks are going to happen. Secondly, make sure that you have a basic supply of stain removal cleaning products in your cupboard. The last thing you need is to be rushing off to the shops in the middle of the party to buy some carpet shampoo. Thirdly, Don't panic. If you deal with a spill/dirt immediately and carefully, your chances of avoiding a stain are much better. Basic emergency store cupboard stain removal kit
The stain removal chart below lists some of the more common stains that you might expect from a kid's party. The wine and beer was from the parent's point of view! Print it off and stick it inside a cupboard door where you can easily find it. If you have a great and proven home remedy stain removal treatment, I'd love to know about it and I'll put it up on this site. Let me about your stain removal idea. PLEASE NOTE : I have used some of the above methods but not all. Although specialists cleaners have recommended them all, I cannot guarantee that they will work and cannot take responsibility for any damage that they may cause. To be safe and sure, always do a spot test first in an inconspicuous area of your carpet or fabric and if in doubt SEEK PROFESSIONAL ADVICE.
Ballpoint Pen stain removalCarpets and Upholstery - Apply a dry cleaning fluid using a damp cloth. Do not rub but gently blot. Finish by placing a weighted pad of towels to absorb any excess fluid.Fabrics (NOT Nylon products) - Dab gently with a hydrogen peroxide solution (one part 20vol peroxide to six parts cold water). Don't soak for more than thirty minutes. Machine wash if possible or dry clean. Vinyl upholstery, wall coverings - Gently scrub with a warm detergent solution using an old toothbrush. Beer stain removalCarpets and Upholstery - Mop up immediately and then use a carpet shampoo. On dry persistent stains try dabbing with methylated spirits but do a hidden spot test first.Fabrics (washable) - Wash immediately with a biological detergent. Soak dried stains first in warm washing soda. Vinyl upholstery, wall coverings - Blot and wipe with warm water. Remove dried stains with a white vinegar solution (one part vinegar to five parts water), then rinse gently with clean water. Blot dry. Blackcurrant Juice stain removalCarpets and Upholstery - Mop up immediately and then clean with carpet shampoo. If dried, try dabbing gently with methylated spirits.Fabrics (washable) - Rinse under cold water and then pre-soak in a washing soda solution before machine washing at the hottest temperature allowed for the fabric. Vinyl upholstery, wall coverings - Sponge with cold water and blot dry. If the stain persists, try dabbing with a hydrogen peroxide solution (one part 20vol peroxide to six parts water). This is NOT suitable for nylon. Don't leave it for more than thirty minutes. Rinse thoroughly. Return to top of stain removal page Blood stain removalCarpets and Upholstery - Dab the stain with absorbent paper and then with cold water. If the stain persists try a specialist carpet stain remover.Fabrics (washable) - Sponge immediately with cold water and then machine wash in the hottest temperature allowed for the fabric. Pre-soak in a salt water solution if the stain has dried. Vinyl upholstery, wall coverings Butter/greasy foods stain removalCarpets and Upholstery - Scrape or blot off any excess. Apply a dry cleaning solvent with a damp cloth. Blot, don't rub. Repeat if necessary then gently rinse with water using a damp cloth. Blot dry and finish with a pad of weighted towels.Fabrics - Soak in a warm washing soda solution for several hours. Wash/Machine wash in the hottest temperature allowed for the fabric. Vinyl upholstery, wall coverings - Scrape or blot off any excess. Apply a dry cleaning solvent with a damp cloth. Blot, don't rub. Repeat the stain removal if necessary then gently rinse with water using a damp cloth. Blot dry and finish with a pad of weighted towels. Candle wax stain removalCarpets and Upholstery - Allow the wax to dry really hard. Place a bag of ice cubes or frozen vegetables over the area to harden it even more, then scrape off what you can with a blunt knife. Remove the remainder by placing an absorbent fabric or brown parcel paper on top and melting out any remaining wax with a warm iron. Don't let the iron touch the carpet fibers. Remaining color stains can be removed by dabbing gently with methylated spirits but you must test an inconspicuous area of the carpet first in case it discolors the carpet.Fabrics (washable) - Allow the wax to dry and then scrape off what you can with the edge of a blunt knife. Place an absorbent cloth or brown parcel paper, either side of the fabric and melt out any remaining wax with a warm iron. Machine wash separately on as hot a temperature as allowed for the fabric. Vinyl upholstery, wall coverings - Allow the wax to dry and then scrape off what you can with the edge of a blunt knife. Place an absorbent fabric or brown parcel paper on top and melt out any remaining wax with a warm iron. Remaining color stains can be removed by dabbing gently with methylated spirits. Wooden surfaces - Allow the wax to dry and then scrape off what you can with a spatula. Remove any remnants with a duster and some furniture polish. Return to top of stain removal page Chewing gum stain removalThe best stain removal solution is to freeze the chewing gum by either placing the article in the freezer of by placing a bag of ice over the gum. Once completely hard, try to pick it off with a blunt knife. Chocolate/cocoa stain removalCarpets and Upholstery - Blot up any excess using a blunt knife and then wash with carpet shampoo and a carpet stain remover if necessary.Fabrics (washable) - Soak up or scrape off any excess. Pre-soak in washing soda and then machine wash in biological detergent on as hot a temperature as allowed for the fabric. Vinyl upholstery, wall coverings - Soak up or scrape off any excess. Use a upholstery stain remover and blot gently to dry. CoffeeCarpets and Upholstery - Dab up any excess then flush the area with cold water and blot dry. Use a carpet shampoo for dried stains.Fabrics (washable) - Soak in a solution of washing soda then wash with a biological detergent on as hot a temperature as allowed for the fabric. Vinyl upholstery, wall coverings - Dab up any excess then sponge with cold water, treat with a carpet stain remover and then use an upholstery shampoo. Return to top of stain removal page CrayonCarpets - Scrape of carefully what you can and then apply a dry cleaning fluid using a dry cloth. Blot dry and finish with a pad of weighted towels.Vinyl Wallcoverings - Wipe with a damp cloth and use a proprietary stain remover if necessary. Wallpaper / Painted walls - These are just about impossible to remove. Your best bet is to repaint the area or do a wallpaper patch. EggCarpets - Scrape off what you can then use a carpet shampoo.Fabrics (washable) - Rinse in cold water, soak and then wash using a biological detergent. Upholstery - Scrape off and then sponge with cold water. Blot dry. Use an upholstery shampoo if the stain persists. Felt-tip penCarpets - Blot it before it dries then use a carpet shampooFabrics (washable) - Blot it before it dries then wash cotton fabrics at 40C. Upholstery - Blot it before it dries then wash cotton fabrics at 40C or use a proprietary upholstery shampoo. Return to top of stain removal page Food dyesCarpets - Apply a dry cleaning solvent using a damp towel. Blot then repeat as necessary. Rinse with water using a damp towel then put some weighted towels on top until dry.Fabrics (washable) - Dab the stain gently using alcohol or methylated spirits. Never scrub these stains as they spread easily. Pre-soak and then wash as normal. Upholstery - Apply a dry cleaning solvent using a damp towel. Blot then repeat as necessary. Rinse with water using a damp towel then put some weighted towels on top until dry. GrassCarpets - Try dabbing with methylated spirits but do a hidden spot test first. Then rinse with water using a damp cloth. Put some weighted towels on top until dry.Fabrics (washable) - Treat with a proprietary grass stain removal product then dry clean or machine wash on as high a temperature as the fabric will allow using a biological detergent. Upholstery - Try dabbing with methylated spirits but do a hidden spot test first. Then rinse with water using a damp cloth. Put some weighted towels on top until dry. Ice-creamCarpets - Blot or scrape up any excess. Apply a mild detergent solution. Blot, don't rub. Rinse with a damp towel then put some weighted towels on top until dry.Fabrics (washable) - Rinse off any excess then pre-soak in a warm washing soda solution for a couple of hours then launder as usual. Upholstery - Blot or scrape up any excess. Apply a mild detergent solution. Blot, don't rub. Rinse with water using a damp towel then put some weighted towels on top until dry. Return to top of stain removal page InkCarpets - Act immediately. Dab off any excess then wet the stain with water, soda water or a bicarbonate of soda solution (1 tsp. to 0.5 liter of water). Continue to blot with a clean cloth. DON'T use washing up liquid or detergent as this may 'set' the stainFabrics (washable) - Act immediately. Dab the spill with a clean cloth soaked in milk, then wash as normal. Alternatively, hold the fabric under cold running water for a couple of minutes and then wash using a biological detergent at the hottest temperature allowed. If the stain persists, try rubbing (light colored materials only) with lemon juice and then rinse well. Upholstery - Use a dry cleaning fluid. Blot, don't rub . Rinse with water using a damp towel then put some weighted towels on top until dry. KetchupCarpets - Remove excess immediately. Soften dried stains with a glycerin solution which is available at chemists - (use equal parts of glycerin to water). Then blot gently with soda water or a baking soda solution (1 tsp of soda to 0.5 liter of water). Afterwards, use a carpet shampoo.Fabrics (washable) - Pre-soak and then wash with a biological detergent. Upholstery - Sponge with cold water followed by a detergent solution but avoid over-wetting. Rinse and blot dry. Then put some weighted towels on top until dry. LipstickCarpets - Scrape off what you can and treat with a proprietary grease and oil stain remover, then use a carpet shampoo.Fabrics (washable) - This is very hard to remove. Soak in a detergent solution and then use a specialist stain remover. Wash as normal. Upholstery - Scrape off what you can. Lightly rub the area with a fresh slice of white bread then apply a dry cleaning fluid. Blot gently, don't rub. Then put some weighted towels on top until dry. Return to top of stain removal page MilkCarpets - Act quickly. Flush the area with warm water and blot dry. Then use a carpet stain remover.Fabrics (washable) - Rinse in lukewarm water then wash as normal. Soak dried stains first in a biological detergent solution. Upholstery - Sponge with lukewarm detergent and blot dry. Put some weighted towels on top until dry. Use an upholstery stain remover if necessary. MudCarpets - Leave to dry completely and then brush and vacuum. Follow with a carpet shampoo if necessaryFabrics (washable) - Soak in cold water then wash with a biological detergent. Upholstery - Leave to dry completely and then brush lightly. Gently sponge remaining marks with a mild detergent solution. Nail varnish stain removalCarpets - Use a carpet shampoo or get it professionally treated.Fabrics (washable) - Try dabbing with a non-oily acetone-based nail varnish remover using a white cloth Upholstery - Try dabbing with a non-oily acetone-based nail varnish remover using a white cloth. You may need to get this professionally treated. Return to top of stain removal page Paint stain removalAcrylic - Blot whilst wet and wash out with soap and water. If the paint has dried, place an absorbent cloth under it, if possible, and dab with cotton wool moistened with a liquid stain remover or methylated spirits.Oil - This is very hard to remove. Try placing an absorbent cloth under the stain and then dabbing it with white spirit. Poster/powder/watercolor - Sponge with cold water or soak the item if possible. Get rid of any remaining traces with white spirit. Red wine stain removalCarpets - Act quickly. Sponge with sparkling water and blot dry. Then use a carpet shampoo. NEVER use salt as this sets the stain.Fabrics (washable) - Sponge fresh stains with sparking water then wash the fabric as normal. Treat dried stains with a proprietary stain remover. Upholstery - Act quickly. Sponge with sparkling water and blot dry. Then use an upholstery shampoo. NEVER use salt as this sets the stain. Soft drinksCarpets - Blot up with a damp towel for several minutes. If the stain persists apply baking soda, scrape and then vacuum. Use a damp cloth to remove remaining baking soda. Blot, don't' rub. Rinse lightly with a mild detergent solution followed by water. Then put some weighted towels on top until dry.Fabrics (washable) - Soak in salt water for at least thirty minutes to loosen the stain. Wash as normal. Old stains can be loosened with glycerin before washing. Upholstery - Blot up with a damp towel for several minutes. If the stain persists apply baking soda, scrape and then vacuum. Use a dam cloth to remove remaining baking soda. Blot, don't' rub. Rinse lightly with a mild detergent solution followed by water. Then put some weighted towels on top until dry. Return to top of stain removal page Tea stain removalCarpets - Sponge with cold water and then treat with a carpet shampoo. Rinse an blot dry.Fabrics (washable) - Rinse with warm water then wash as normal (pre-soaking if it is a dried stain) using a biological detergent. Upholstery - Sponge off the excess and rinse with cold water. Then gently dab with a biological detergent solution. Rinse and put some weighted towels on top until dry. Urine stain removalCarpets - Blot up the excess then flush the area with cold water and blot until nearly dry. Then use a carpet shampoo to which you have added a few drops of disinfectant.Fabrics (washable) - Rinse then soak overnight in a biological detergent solution. Machine wash as normal. Upholstery - Sponge fresh stains with a vinegar solution (15ml vinegar to 0.5 liters of warm water. Dried stains will need to be professionally treated. Vomit stain removalCarpets - Remove any deposit and then sponge the area with a bicarbonate of soda solution. This helps to eliminate smells. Blot well and then use a carpet shampoo to which you have added a few drops of disinfectant.Fabrics (washable) -Remove any deposit and rinse well with cold water. Machine wash with a biological detergent or dry-clean. Upholstery - Remove any deposit and then sponge the area with warm water. Blot dry and then use an upholstery shampoo. Return to top of stain removal page
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