Using These FREE
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TIP 1: Be Prepared and gather the following cleaning products and tools to keep on hand.
- White Vinegar
- Club soda
- Clear dish detergent
- WD-40
- A rubbery fingernail brush
- Bleach
- Lemon Juice
- Baking soda
- Large bag of white cloths for blotting
- Large package of sponges for most stain fighting jobs
Tip 2: Test first for colorfastness
Test for colorfastness before using any bleaching or strong cleaning product. Apply the cleaning product to an inconspicuous area on the garment or carpet.
TIP 3: Avoid Heat
- Hot or warm water on a spill will only make the stain set and make removing it, nearly impossible. Always start with clean cold water when tackling a wet stain.
TIP 4: Be familiar with your fabric
- When you have a spill with the potential for staining,
know the solution that will break down and dissolve the
staining agent and know the solution that is safe to
apply to that item.
TIP 5: Act Quickly and don’t wait for stains to set in
- Clean up solids or debris from the spill by scraping with a dull knife
- Gently blot the area with cold water (cold water is always good in a pinch) or the recommended agent for the application.
- Fresh stains on clothes should be treated and laundered as usual. Don’t wait until you have a full load of clothes, get it washed quickly.
TIP 6: Be Persistent
- Keep following steps given for each stain removal method
- Repeating steps continues to remove more and more of the stain
TIP 7: Avoid These Stain Fighting Secrets or Myths
- Ammonia treatment for cat urine or dog urine will only encourage the pet to return to the scene of the crime if you will. Urine contains ammonia and will invite a repeat gift from your pet.
TIP 8: Apply Gentle Pressure on Stains
- Gently blot stains on carpet or fabric because applying a little elbow grease will damage the item. Rubbing or scrubbing a stain on your carpet, for example, will likely remove the stain but will damage the fibers and cause the area to collect more dirt and will cause that area to wear out more quickly then the rest of the carpet.
TIP 9: Keep Dry Spills Dry and Wet Spills Wet
- Don’t try adding any liquid on a dry spill until you’ve completely removed all of the dry material. Once you add water to a dry spill it becomes a much messier wet spill.
- If you let a wet spill dry, you will greatly lessen the chances of removing any stain completely. The liquid in a wet stain will help you to remove it. As you add to the liquid diluting it more and more, the stain is carried off.
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