There are many substances out there in the world that we love to consume, use, or be around, but when they come in contact with clothes, furniture, or carpet, they can create nasty and difficult stains that need to be treated as soon as possible if they have any hope of being removed. Here’s a handy guide to taking care of some common, stubborn stains that can affect your clean homes in Austin.
Coffee and Tea
If coffee or tea stain regular fabric, dab the affected area with cool water or soak the item for about half an hour in cool water. Apply a pre-wash commercial stain remover and wash. If it’s okay for the fabric, add chlorine bleach to the wash. If the beverage had milk or cream in it, be sure to use an enzyme laundry detergent.
When it comes to upholstery, choose either a dry-cleaning solvent or one tablespoon of mild liquid dish detergent and two cups of cool water. Use your solution by spongeing it over the stain and then blotting dry, repeating as many times as needed. If using the dish soap solution, finish by applying a little bit of cold water and blotting dry again.
For coffee or tea spills on carpet, soak up as much of the spilled liquid as possible. Using either plain water or a mixture of one tablespoon of liquid dishwashing soap, one tablespoon of white vinegar, and two cups of warm water, sponge a little on the stain and then blot, repeating until the stain is gone. If you use the vinegar-and-soap solution, rinse with a little cold water once the stain disappears, and blot dry.
Fruit Punch
When fruit punch stains fabric, pre-treat it with a heavy-duty laundry detergent and rinse thoroughly with cool water. If the stain has not lightened significantly and the fabric can be bleached, soak it in a gallon of cool water with a quarter cup of bleach (chlorine bleach, if safe for the fabric) for at least thirty minutes. Then wash the item as normal.
For upholstery or carpet, combine one tablespoon of liquid dish soap, one tablespoon of vinegar, and two cups of cool water. Blot the solution over the stain with a clean, colorfast cloth every five minutes for at least half an hour. Rinse with cool water and blot dry. Then sponge the stain with rubbing alcohol, blot dry, and rinse with cool water. If the stain is still there, combine one teaspoon of liquid dish soap and one tablespoon of household ammonia with two cups of cool water. Test on a hidden area, then dab the solution on the stain every five minutes for at least half an hour. Rinse with cool water and blot dry.
Even clean Austin homes have occasional stain issues, so there’s no reason to panic. It’s Cleaning Time are your local experts when it comes to basic maid services, deep cleaning, and make-ready and move-out services, so don’t wait any longer to call us!
