Happy EARTH DAY to all readers!
Hopefully you’ll be doing something special today to make the planet a little greener - biking to work, taking in your packed lunch, a quick shower instead of a bath….you know what you can do, so go ahead and make today the day that counts!
In the meantime, some quick tips on how to get those nasty stains removed, without using harsh chemicals.
Adhesives and glues - On fabrics- Wash glue stains with cold water. If still sticky, dab on diluted household ammonia.
Alcohol - On fabrics- Rinse the spot out immediately in cold water if possible. If outside, try dabbing on a bit of club soda.
Ballpoint pens - On fabrics- For fresh stains, sprinkle with salt and leave for an hour. Wipe and repeat if necessary, till stain fades. For stronger stains, try dabbing on some alcohol, but beware that this may ruin certain fabrics.
Blood - On fabrics- If it’s a fresh stain, then soak it in cold water for a few hours and wash as usual. Soak old stains in cold salty water with lots of detergent. Wash as usual, in warm water. For stains which have dried, you can try spraying on a bit of hydrogen peroxide. Leave for 10 minutes and wash clean.
Candlewax - On fabrics- Place a newspaper sheet on the ironing board. Lay the cloth with the wax stain on top. Cover with more paper and run a warm iron over the paper. The heat melts the wax, while the paper absorbs it. Repeat until wax is lifted off.
Chewing gum - On fabrics- Freeze gum by dabbing it with ice and then lift off.
Chocolate - On fabrics- Rinse in cold water and wash in hot soapy water. If the stain is bad, apply glycerine and leave for a few hours. Wash in hot soapy water.
Coffee and tea - On fabrics- Soak overnight in soap and water solution. Dab on some white vinegar and wash. If the stain is bad, dab on some glycerine and leave for a few hours and then wash as usual.
Deodorant - On fabrics- Sponge with a detergent in its concentrated form. Leave for a few hours and wash off.
Egg - On fabrics- Soak in undiluted detergent for one hour and then wash off.
Felt tip pen - On fabrics- Dab liberally with glycerine and leave on for a few hours or overnight if possible. Wash as usual.
Fruit juice - On fabrics- Cover the stain with salt and pour hot to boiling water over it.
Grass - On fabrics- Dab with glycerine and leave overnight. Wash as usual.
Grease - On fabrics- For stubborn stains on cottons, try dabbing on a little eucalyptus essential oil. Hang to dry until the scent of eucalyptus has evaporated. If the fabric won’t fade, you can also try a bit of hydrogen peroxide. For silks and other delicate material, dab with powdered chalk until the stain fades, then rub off the chalk.
Heat marks - On wooden surfaces - Mix equal parts methylated spirits and linseed oil and stroke gently into the stain, until it vanishes.
Ink - On fabrics- Rinse immediately if possible in cold water and then wash in cold and soapy water. You can also try soaking the stain in a little milk before washing. Or, pour on 1 tbsp lemon juice with 1 tbsp salt. Leave out in the sun and then rinse.
Iron marks - On fabrics- To reduce surface scorch marks, rub in a mixture of 1 tbsp lemon juice with 1 tbsp salt. Wash out immediately.
Lipstick - On fabrics- Try using liquid dish soap. Dab on a generous amount and let it soak before washing in clean cold water. Repeat if necessary.
Nail polish - On fabrics- Use a non-acetone nail polish remover. Dab on wait 30 minutes and rinse with vinegar and water. Repeat if necessary and then wash in lots of soapy water.
Perfume - On fabrics- Dab on glycerine and then wash in cold soapy water.
Perspiration - On fabrics- Mix equal parts cold water and white vinegar and wash in this solution. Rinse out well and wash as usual.
Red wine - On fabrics- Pour on lots of salt on the stain while it’s still wet/damp. Wash in cold soapy water or a solution or 1 part vinegar to 2 parts water.
Water stains - On wooden surfaces - Make a thin paste of salt and salad oil. Rub on in gentle circular motions. Wipe off with a clean dry cloth and buff till the stain disappears.
Categories:
