Notes:
*Unless otherwise advised, use COLD water only.
*Blot wet areas with paper towels - do not rub.
Blood:
• Flush the stained area with COLD water and blot with paper towels
• Mix 1 teaspoon dishwashing detergent and 1 tablespoon ammonia to a cup of luke-warm water. Pour over stain - blot
• Repeat - leaving to soak for 10 minutes - blot
• Sponge with clean water - blot
Butter or fats:
• Spray stain with Vanish Preen - blot
• Mix 1 teaspoon dishwashing detergent to a cup of luke-warm water. Pour over stain - blot
• Rinse with clean water - blot
Candle wax:
• Cover stain with paper towel - apply WARM iron
• Repeat
• Mix 1 teaspoon dishwashing detergent to a cup of luke-warm water. Pour over stain - blot
• Rinse with clean water - blot
Chewing gum:
• Hold ice on stain to harden chewing gum - lightly scrape
• Spray with Vanish Preen and leave for 5 minutes
• Mix 1 teaspoon dishwashing detergent to a cup of luke-warm water. Pour over stain - blot
• Rinse with clean water - blot
Chocolate:
• Mix 1 teaspoon dishwashing detergent and 1 tablespoon ammonia to a cup of luke-warm water. Pour over stain - blot
• Sponge with clean water - blot
Coffee or tea:
• Blot any stains immediately
• Spray with Vanish Preen and leave for 5 minutes
• Sponge with clean water - blot
• Mix 1 tablespoon white vinegar to a cup of luke-warm water. Pour over stain - blot
• Sponge with clean water - blot
Crayon:
• Spray with Vanish Preen and leave for 5 minutes
• Mix 1 teaspoon dishwashing detergent to a cup of luke-warm water. Pour over stain - blot
• Rinse with clean water - blot
Glue, PVA:
• Use a butter knife to scrape off as much as you can
• Only use COLD water. Mix 1 tablespoon prewash washing powder in a cup of water. Pour over the stain and leave for 30 minutes - blot
• Rinse with clean water - blot
• Repeat as necessary
Mildew or mould:
• Only recent mildew or mould can be successfuly treated
• Only use COLD water. Mix 1 tablespoon oxygen bleach washing powder in a cup of water. Pour over the stain and leave for 30 minutes - blot
• Rinse with clean water with 1 teaspoon of white vinegar added - blot
• If stain persists, perform a colour test on a small area with 1 teaspoon of household bleach in a cup of water - blot
Nail polish:
• Use a small amount of acetone to blot the stain with cotton wool - do not rub as this will further spread the stain
• Only use COLD water. Mix 1 teaspoon of dishwashing detergent to a cup of cold water. Pour over the stain - blot
• Rinse with clean water - blot
Odours:
• Sprinkle baking soda over the area and leave for 1 hour - vacuum
• Mix 1 teaspoon of white vinegar to half a cup of warm water. Pour over the stain - blot
• Rinse with clean water - blot
Oil based paint:
• Use a small amount of mineral turpentine to blot the stain with cotton wool - do not rub as this will further spread the stain
• Mix 1 teaspoon of dishwashing detergent to a cup of cold water. Pour over the stain - blot
• Rinse with clean water – blot
Janice Anderssen is Women24's Decor and DIY expert. Ask her a question here or visit www.homedzine.co.za for more tips.
Have we left any stain removal techniques out? Share them with our readers in the box below.
*Unless otherwise advised, use COLD water only.
*Blot wet areas with paper towels - do not rub.
Blood:
• Flush the stained area with COLD water and blot with paper towels
• Mix 1 teaspoon dishwashing detergent and 1 tablespoon ammonia to a cup of luke-warm water. Pour over stain - blot
• Repeat - leaving to soak for 10 minutes - blot
• Sponge with clean water - blot
Butter or fats:
• Spray stain with Vanish Preen - blot
• Mix 1 teaspoon dishwashing detergent to a cup of luke-warm water. Pour over stain - blot
• Rinse with clean water - blot
Candle wax:
• Cover stain with paper towel - apply WARM iron
• Repeat
• Mix 1 teaspoon dishwashing detergent to a cup of luke-warm water. Pour over stain - blot
• Rinse with clean water - blot
Chewing gum:
• Hold ice on stain to harden chewing gum - lightly scrape
• Spray with Vanish Preen and leave for 5 minutes
• Mix 1 teaspoon dishwashing detergent to a cup of luke-warm water. Pour over stain - blot
• Rinse with clean water - blot
Chocolate:
• Mix 1 teaspoon dishwashing detergent and 1 tablespoon ammonia to a cup of luke-warm water. Pour over stain - blot
• Sponge with clean water - blot
Coffee or tea:
• Blot any stains immediately
• Spray with Vanish Preen and leave for 5 minutes
• Sponge with clean water - blot
• Mix 1 tablespoon white vinegar to a cup of luke-warm water. Pour over stain - blot
• Sponge with clean water - blot
Crayon:
• Spray with Vanish Preen and leave for 5 minutes
• Mix 1 teaspoon dishwashing detergent to a cup of luke-warm water. Pour over stain - blot
• Rinse with clean water - blot
Glue, PVA:
• Use a butter knife to scrape off as much as you can
• Only use COLD water. Mix 1 tablespoon prewash washing powder in a cup of water. Pour over the stain and leave for 30 minutes - blot
• Rinse with clean water - blot
• Repeat as necessary
Mildew or mould:
• Only recent mildew or mould can be successfuly treated
• Only use COLD water. Mix 1 tablespoon oxygen bleach washing powder in a cup of water. Pour over the stain and leave for 30 minutes - blot
• Rinse with clean water with 1 teaspoon of white vinegar added - blot
• If stain persists, perform a colour test on a small area with 1 teaspoon of household bleach in a cup of water - blot
Nail polish:
• Use a small amount of acetone to blot the stain with cotton wool - do not rub as this will further spread the stain
• Only use COLD water. Mix 1 teaspoon of dishwashing detergent to a cup of cold water. Pour over the stain - blot
• Rinse with clean water - blot
Odours:
• Sprinkle baking soda over the area and leave for 1 hour - vacuum
• Mix 1 teaspoon of white vinegar to half a cup of warm water. Pour over the stain - blot
• Rinse with clean water - blot
Oil based paint:
• Use a small amount of mineral turpentine to blot the stain with cotton wool - do not rub as this will further spread the stain
• Mix 1 teaspoon of dishwashing detergent to a cup of cold water. Pour over the stain - blot
• Rinse with clean water – blot
Janice Anderssen is Women24's Decor and DIY expert. Ask her a question here or visit www.homedzine.co.za for more tips.
Have we left any stain removal techniques out? Share them with our readers in the box below.