Crashing splashes, oozing squishes, crackling smashes and crunching smishes.
Whatever the accident, you've got a mess. But a stain doesn't have to become permanent if you know the drill: -Whatever you plan on doing to prevent a permanent stain, do it quickly. The longer you wait the less chance you will have of removing the stain.
-Always start with the least toxic cleaning method, when you have the alternative.
-Test the area to be cleaned. You may be applying a solvent that will damage the item being cleaned.
-Often, hot is bad. Hot air, hot water and heated chemicals can actually set a stain rather than remove it. Stay cool unless a cleaning procedure specifically calls for heat.
Simple stain cleaners Cold Water (Least Toxic) Carbonated water also works well.
Use on: acid, ammonia, blood cement glue, cosmetic, crayon, dyes, food stains, furniture polish, grease, ink, medicine, milk, mud, oil, paint, soft drinks and vomit.
White Vinegar Formula (Not Very Toxic) 1/2 cup vinegar, 1/2 cup water Use On: alcohol, ammonia, blood, coffee, tea, cosmetics, crayon dyes, food stains, furniture polish, ink medicine, milk, soft drinks and vomit.
Ammonia Formula (Slightly Toxic) 2 tbsp ammonia, 1 cup water Use On: acid, alcohol, blood, cement, glue, cosmetics, crayon, dyes, food stains, furniture polish, ink, medicine, oil, paint, soft drinks and vomit.
Stain 101 General Cleaning Soak the item in a gallon of warm water with a tablespoon of liquid dishwashing detergent and a quarter teaspoon of ammonia for a couple of hours. Rinse in fresh water and wash normally using bleach. CAUTION: Do not use detergent that contains bleach when adding ammonia. Bleach and ammonia combine to create a deadly chemical.
Wine and Other Alcoholic Beverages Sprinkle the area with table salt - lots of it. Scrub the item in a bath of cold water until the stain disappears and then launder normally.
Baby Formula Use water and MSG (meat tenderizer) and mix up a poultice. Cover the area and leave it overnight. Then wash normally.
Beer Use a half-cup of ammonia or vinegar in three quarts of warm soapy water. Hand wash.
Grease Earlier we mentioned that "hot" stuff will often set a stain. However, there are occasions when hot is good. For example: Cooking grease, butter and other fats are liquefied and removed easily with boiling hot water. Keep in mind that non-washable fabrics should never be soaked in water, hot or cold.
Lipstick and Ink Lacquered hair spray is a super pretreatment for ink and lipstick. Spray it on as a pre-wash.
Any Stain on Marble and Granite Use half a grapefruit dipped in salt. Rub the area clean and then immediately flush thoroughly with fresh water and towel dry.
-For more home improvement tips and information and an opportunity to win part of a $25,000 bathroom makeover, visit our website at www.onthehouse.com or call our listener hot line 24/7 at 1-800-737-2474 (ext 59).
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Carey brothers offer tips on how to remove old shellac or varnish
Q: I'm refinishing the stairs in my turn-of-the-century home, and when I pulled off the carpet I found this black stuff underneath. I don't think it's paint. What could it be?
