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Complete Stain Removal Guide

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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.

 
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