Stain Removal Guide

Don’t be caught out by spills and stains.Let me be your stain removal guide

OK you’ve had the party. It’s been fantastic fun, the kids have a day to remember, and so do you…you’re carpet has trampled in mud all over it, the furniture has gooey gum stuck in unsuspecting places, there are juice stains on your best armchair and you’re pulling your hair out looking for stain removal remedies.


Well don’t panic as if you get to this stain removal page before your party, you will be well prepared and spills won’t worry you.

Firstly, 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
  • Detergent: Mix ½ teaspoon of clear dishwashing detergent with one cup of warm water (not hot)
  • Biological washing powder
  • Carpet shampoo suitable for your carpet(s)
  • Upholstery shampoo suitable for your upholstery
  • Dry cleaning fluid.
  • White vinegar. Mix one part vinegar to five parts water.
  • Bicarbonate of soda. Mix one teaspoon to half litre of water.
  • Salt
  • Hydrogen Peroxide (available from chemists).Mix one part 20vol peroxide to six parts cold water.


    • 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.
    Email me about YOUR stain removal idea.

     

    Ballpoint pen Carpets and Upholstery Fabrics  (NOT Nylon products) Vinyl upholstery, wall coverings
      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. 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. Gently scrub with a warm detergent solution using an old toothbrush.
    Beer Carpets Fabrics (washable) Upholstery and non-washable fabrics
      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. Wash immediately with a biological detergent. Soak dried stains first in warm washing soda. 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 Carpets Fabrics (washable) Upholstery
      Mop up immediately and then clean with carpet shampoo. If dried, try dabbing gently with methylated spirits Rinse under cold water and then pre-soak in a washing soda solution before machine washing at the hottest temperature allowed for the fabric. 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.
    Blood Carpets Washable Fabrics Non-washable fabrics and upholstery
      Dab the stain with absorbent paper and then  with cold  water. If the stain persists try a specialist carpet stain remover. 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. Dab the stain with absorbent paper and then sponge lightly with cold water. Rinse and blot dry. If the stain persists, try a foam upholstery shampoo or dry clean if possible.
    Butter/greasy foods Carpets Fabrics 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. Soak in a warm washing soda solution for several hours. Wash/Machine wash in the hottest temperature allowed for the fabric. 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.
    Candle Wax Carpets Washable Fabrics 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 fibres. Remaining colour stains can be removed by dabbing gently with methylated spirits but you must test an inconspicuous area of the carpet first in case it discolours the carpet. 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. 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 colour 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.
    Chewing Gum The best 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 Carpets Fabrics Upholstery
      Blot up any excess using a blunt knife and then wash with carpet shampoo and a carpet stain remover if necessary.  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. Soak up or scrape off any excess. Use a upholstery stain remover and blot gently to dry.
    Coffee Carpets Fabrics Upholstery
      Dab up any excess then flush the area with cold water and blot dry. Use a carpet shampoo for dried stains. Soak in a solution of washing soda then wash with a biological detergent on as hot a temperature as allowed for the fabric. Dab up any excess then sponge with cold water, treat with a carpet stain remover and then use an upholstery shampoo.
    Crayon Carpets Vinyl wall coverings Wallpaper/painted walls
      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. Wipe with a damp cloth and use a proprietary stain remover if necessary. These are just about impossible to remove. Your best bet is to repaint the area or do a wallpaper patch.
    Egg Carpets Fabrics Upholstery
      Scrape off what you can then use a carpet shampoo. Rinse in cold water, soak and then wash using a biological detergent. Scrape off and then sponge with cold water. Blot dry. Use an upholstery shampoo if the stain persists.
    Felt-tip pen Carpets Fabric  Upholstery
      Blot it before it dries then use a carpet shampoo Blot it before it dries then wash cotton fabrics at 40C. Blot it before it dries then wash cotton fabrics at 40C or use a proprietary upholstery shampoo.
    Food Dyes Carpets Fabrics 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. Dab the stain gently using alcohol or methylated spirits. Never scrub these stains as they spread easily. Pre-soak and then wash as normal. 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.
    Grass Carpets Fabrics 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. 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. 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 Cream Carpets Fabrics Upholstery
      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. Rinse off any excess then pre-soak in a warm  washing soda solution for a couple of hours then launder as usual.  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.
    Ink Carpets Fabrics Upholstery
      Act immediately. Dab off any excess then wet the stain with water, soda water or a bicarbonate of soda solution (1 tspn. to 0.5 litre of water). Continue to blot with a clean cloth. DON'T  use washing up liquid or detergent as this may 'set' the stain. 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 coloured materials only) with lemon juice and then rinse well. 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.
    Ketchup and bottled sauces Carpets Fabrics Upholstery
      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 tspn of soda to 0.5 litre of water). Afterwards, use a carpet shampoo. Pre-soak and then wash with a biological detergent. 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.
    Lipstick Carpets Fabrics Upholstery
      Scrape off what you can and treat with a proprietary grease and oil stain remover, then use a carpet shampoo. This is very hard to remove. Soak in a detergent solution and then use a specialist stain remover. Wash as normal. 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.
    Milk Carpets Fabrics Upholstery
      Act quickly. Flush the area with warm water and blot dry. Then use a carpet stain remover.  Rinse in lukewarm water then wash as normal. Soak dried stains first in a biological detergent solution. Sponge with lukewarm detergent and blot dry. Put some weighted towels on top until dry. Use an upholstery stain remover if necessary.
    Mud Carpets Fabrics Upholstery
      Leave to dry completely and then brush and vacuum. Follow with a carpet shampoo if necessary Soak in cold water then wash with a biological detergent. Leave to dry completely and then brush lightly. Gently sponge remaining marks with a mild detergent solution.
    Nail varnish Carpets Fabrics Upholstery
      Use a carpet shampoo or get it professionally treated. Try dabbing with a non-oily acetone-based nail varnish remover using a white cloth. Try dabbing with a non-oily acetone-based nail varnish remover using a white cloth. You may need to get this professionally treated.
    Paint Acrylic Oil Poster/powder/watercolour
      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. This is very hard to remove. Try placing an absorbent cloth under the stain and then dabbing it with white spirit. Sponge with cold water or soak the item if possible. Get rid of any remaining traces with white spirit.

     
    Red wine Carpets Fabrics Upholstery
      Act quickly. Sponge with sparkling water and blot dry. Then use a carpet shampoo. NEVER use salt as this sets the stain. Sponge fresh stains with sparking water then wash the fabric as normal. Treat dried stains with a proprietary stain remover. Act quickly. Sponge with sparkling water and blot dry. Then use an upholstery shampoo. NEVER use salt as this sets the stain.
    Soft Drinks Carpets Fabrics Upholstery
      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. 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. 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.
    Tea Carpets Fabrics Upholstery
      Sponge with cold water and then treat with a carpet shampoo. Rinse an blot dry. Rinse with warm water then wash as normal (pre-soaking if it is a dried stain) using a biological detergent. 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 Carpets Washable  Fabrics Upholstery
      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. Rinse then soak overnight in a biological detergent solution. Machine wash as normal. Sponge fresh stains with a vinegar solution (15ml vinegar to 0.5 litres of warm water. Dried stains will need to be professionally treated.
    Vomit Carpets Fabrics Upholstery
      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. Remove any deposit and rinse well with cold water. Machine wash with a biological detergent or dry-clean. Remove any deposit and then sponge the area with warm water. Blot dry and then use an upholstery shampoo.

    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.

    If you're after more stain removal tips and decide that you might as well do a big spring clean whilst you're at it, then I can highly recomend that you take a look at this Stain Removal and cleaning guide (UK customers) . There is advice on anything and everything! A brilliant reference book for your kitchen bookshelf.

    Amazon.com customers click here








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