No matter how hard you try to protect your clothes, sheets, or fabrics in your home, stains will get to them sooner or later. Yeah, some stains go away with soapy water and a little scrub, but some others seem to cling so hard that you might as well get rid of your beloved item.
So, if you're staring down a stain that plain old soap and water won't remove, you're in luck. Here, we've got some tried-and-true methods to make those pesky stains disappear!
Keep in mind that water temperature matters when you're battling stains. If you're dealing with delicate stuff like satin, silk, wool, or even wood, back off from the hot water, as it can ruin them.
Also, don't go pouring warm or hot water on organic stains either. High temperatures can make them stick around permanently.
Pro-tip: If you're unsure about a specific type of fabric, always check the label.
Organic stains, specifically urine, feces, vomit, and blood, can be a little gross and definitely tough to deal with. So, it becomes essential to know how to tackle them effectively—especially if you've got furry friends hanging around your home.
Your best ally for dealing with these stains is an enzymatic cleaner. These special products contain friendly bacteria that essentially chow down on the stains. Just use it to wash the affected area following the instructions on the label—but remember, no warm or hot water!
Pro-tip: Look for cleaners containing proteases for bloodstains (check the label).
A chill evening with a glass of wine can get tarnished if that red ends up on your shirt. Act fast with this trick:
Mix up a cleaning cocktail with one part hydrogen peroxide and two parts water, and soak the stain with it for three minutes. Then, toss it in the washing machine with cold water and regular detergent.
If there's no washing machine around (or dealing with something that can't be machine washed), there's no problem. Just use your hydrogen peroxide mix, wait three minutes, give it a gentle rub, and rinse with cold water.
Tomato sauce stains are a pain because of their chemistry. When you spot one, grab a spoon or knife and scrape off as much as you can.
Then, mix up equal parts baking soda and salt, add a bit of water to make a paste, and slather it on. Hand wash with cold water, then throw it in the laundry.
Pro-tip: Try enzymatic detergent for better laundry results.
Chlorophyll is the chemical compound that makes plants green, but also what makes these stains hard to take out. Make a cleaning mix with one part baking soda, one part hydrogen peroxide, and three parts warm water.
Rub your DIY mixture onto the stain, let it rest for ten minutes, then hand wash or toss it in the machine with regular detergent.
Paint and ink stains are stubborn because they're meant to stick. Act fast when you see one.
Rub isopropyl alcohol into the stain with a clean cloth—if the stain is big, work from the edges to the center to avoid it from spreading. Alcohol will work by dissolving the stain, so it's easier to take it out in the wash. Once done, wash with soapy water and rinse—repeat if needed.
Pro-tip: If you can, throw it in the machine with some heavy-duty detergent once you applied the alcohol.
Speed is the name of the game when it comes to stains. If you let them hang around too long, even the easy ones can turn into a real headache. Some stains might not come out, no matter how much you try.
Don't overdo it; at best, you'll make stains fainter, but too much scrubbing may end up damaging your stuff.
At Housekeeping Maid Easy, we know how tedious cleaning can get for homeowners. That's why we have your back with all sorts of cleaning services to keep your place looking its best without all the hassle. Take a look at our services!