Spot And Stain Tips

Cleaning Tips From The Experts

General Stains

  1. Immediately absorb as much of a fresh spill with a clean white cloth or tissue

  2. Never rub a spill it may spread the problem

  3. Dry cleaning solvent: Carbona, Renuzit or Energine available at grocery, drug or hardware stores – do not use gasoline, lighter fluid or other flammables

  4. Neutralizing solution – one teaspoon of neutral detergent to a cup of lukewarm water

To Remove: Furniture Soiling; Rubber Cement; Chewing Gum; Crayon

Apply a few drops of dry-cleaning solvent onto a clean white cloth – then apply the cloth to the spot – repeat until you do not see evidence of the spot – apply a few drops of neutralizing solution – blot with white cloth – work from the edge inward until solution is depleted.

To Remove: Candy; Catsup; Egg; Gelatin; Water-Based Glue; Gravy; Ice Cream; Jello; Milk; Cosmetics; Ink; Paint; Food Coloring; Furniture Polish; Mucilage; Ointment; Shoe Polish

Apply a few drops of neutralizing solution – blot with white cloth – work from the edge of spot inward until solution is depleted – apply a few drops of ammonia solution at a time – blot each time with a white cloth. When you can’t see any more evidence of stain coming up on your blotting cloth, put a half inch layer of cloths or tissues on the spot and weight it down for four to six hours.

ACID STAINS

To Remove: Chocolate; Fresh Blood; Fruit Juices; Soft Drinks

  1. Immediately absorb as much of a fresh spill with a clean white cloth or tissue

  2. Never rub a spill – that may spread the problem

  3. Neutralizing solution – one teaspoon of neutral detergent to a cup of lukewarm water

  4. Ammonia solution – one teaspoon of regular household ammonia to a three quarter cup of lukewarm water

Apply a few drops of neutralizing solution – blot with white cloth – work from edge of spot inward until solution is depleted – apply a few drops of ammonia solution at a time – blot each time with a white cloth. When you can’t see any more evidence of stain coming up on your blotting cloth, put a half inch layer of cloths or tissues on the spot and weight it down for four to six hours.

ALKALINE STAINS

To Remove: Syrup; Tea; Cocktails; Alcohol; Beer; Coffee; Mustard; Soot; Sugar; Wine; Permanent Wave Solution; Butter; Nail Polish; Perfume

  1. Immediately absorb as much of a fresh spill as possible with a clean white cloth or tissue

  2. Mix a neutralizing solution – one teaspoon mild detergent to a cup of warm water. Use Trend, Vel, Draft or any product safe for fine products.

  3. Mix a vinegar solution – one-third cup of white vinegar to two-thirds cup of warm water

Apply a few drops of neutralizing solution – blot with a white cloth – work from the edge of the spill inward until solution is depleted – apply a few drops of the vinegar solution at a time – blot each time with a white cloth. When you can’t see any more evidence of stain coming up on your blotting cloth, put a half inch layer of cloths or tissues on the spot and weight it down for four to six hours.