Unexpected stains aren't the end of the world. In fact, most can be quickly removed with very little effort, and you don't need to spend a lot of money paying a professional to do it for you. It's always best if you can treat a stain as soon as an accident happens, but there are methods for removing set-in stains. You may have some ingredients for stain removal in your home already, or you can buy them.
Furniture
You may think that a red wine stain on your new upholstered sofa is a disaster, but you might be able to treat the spot with a spot cleaner. Naturally it's always best if you can treat a stain as soon as an accident happens.
Mix 1 ounce of spot cleaner with 1 quart of lukewarm water. The reason that it's so important for the water to be lukewarm is because extreme temperatures will set the stain.
Dip a lint-free cloth into the solution and blot the stain. Do not rub it or you may spread it and cause it to set permanently. Begin working on the stain from the outside edges as you blot and work your way in. This also prevents it from spreading.
Carpet
Carpets show a multitude of stains. Food stains, like ketchup, are common. A stain like this can easily be removed with a two-step process that starts with a simple solution of clear dishwashing detergent and 1 cup of lukewarm water. Dip a cloth or paper towel into the solution, place it directly on the spot and hold it there for about 15 seconds. This helps to break down the stain. Repeat these steps as needed. You can soak up any excess liquid with another dry cloth.
Next, dip a cloth into a solution made of 1 cup of white vinegar and 2 cups of water. Blot the area over and over, and then hold the cloth on the stain for about 15 seconds. This helps get rid of any leftover soapy detergent.
Clothing
Some items of clothing seem to be waiting for stains to happen. Coffee, tea, wine, lipstick, oil-based foundation, chocolate and other stains can ruin a perfectly good shirt, but they don't have to.
If you happen to spill coffee on a machine washable shirt, you should treat the stain before washing it if possible. Stretch the fabric over a bowl. Pour a pot of boiling water directly onto the stain. If the coffee contained milk or cream, follow up with an oil solvent that will dissolve the oil. This type of solvent is ideal for many set-in food stains and makeup stains like lipstick and foundation that contain oil. Finish treating the stain by washing the shirt in a regular washing cycle. If traces of the stain remain, repeat the steps.
Pillow Case
A late night out can result in collapsing into bed with a full face of makeup. In the morning most of it will have rubbed off on your pillow case. Over time, these stains become set in and are more difficult to remove. Lipstick, mascara and foundation stains should all be treated with an oil solvent. Apply it directly to the stained areas, allow it to dry and then remove the residue that's left. Use an oil solvent that dry cleaners use to dissolve greasy stains.
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