Stain removal tips

 

Problem: Grape Kool-Aid on carpet

Solution: Spray with Carpet stain remover (None in the house? Use shaving cream, says Linda.) Blot with damp cloth.

 

Problem: Crayon scribbles on walls

Solution: Spray on WD-40. Wipe with dry paper towel. Apply liquid dish soap onto damp cloth and wipe again.

 

Problem: Lipstick mark on clothing

Solution: New stain: Waterless hand cleaner (kind used by mechanics to remove automotive grease). Old stain: Spray on WD-40. Let sit 15 minutes. Work in undiluted dish soap. Launder as usual.

 

Problem: Chocolate smudge on clothing

Solution: Work in Fels Naptha Soap and 20 Mule Team Borax. Let sit 30 minutes. Launder as usual.

 

Problem: Ink stain on clothing

Solution: Old stain: Rubbing alcohol. New stain: Denatured alcohol. Keep pouring through the stain until all ink is gone. Work in Fels Naptha Soap. Launder as usual.

 

Problem: Soy milk stain on clothing

Solution: Moisten in cold water. Soy milk is a protein-based stain, so Linda recommends applying meat tenderizer. Work in Fels Naptha Soap and 20 Mule Team Borax. Launder as usual.

 

Problem: Grass stain on clothing

Solution: Blot with rubbing alcohol. Let sit 30 minutes. Launder as usual.

 

Problem: Grease spot on clothing

Solution: Spray on WD-40. Launder as usual.

 

Problem: Jelly stain on clothing

Solution: Dampen with water. Treat with Borax. Let sit 30 minutes. Launder as usual.

 

 

 Stain Removal Chart

The Stain
 What works
 
blood
 peroxide
 
coffee
 peroxide
 
cooking or olive oil
 White salt (absorbs the oil)
 
food stains
 Club soda (it's the mineral salts in it that work)
 
grease
 Pine Sol, talcum powder and cornstarch
 
ink
 Hair spray and rubbing alcohol . Rubbing alcohol preferably first since many of today's hair spray are not aerosol
 
ink
  nail polish remover works but test it on the fabric first
 
ketchup
 Peroxide
 
lipstick
 Huggies Baby wipes (because of the glycerin), peroxide
 
makeup around the collar
 Huggies Baby wipes (because of the glycerin)
 
mustard
 Peroxide
 
red wine
 If it's a dry red wine and you use a dry white wine, it'll probably work. If it's a sweet red wine and you use a dry white wine, it might not work. It's better to go to clear water or club soda
 
tomato sauce
 Corn starch
 


 

 

Information from Oprah.com