How to Get Stains Out of Almost Anything
As a mom of 3 boys, stains are basically part of my day-to-day routine. They can also be a giant pain in the neck. Stains are the number one reason that I don’t get my children brand new clothing. Why would I spend $30 on a nice button up shirt that they’re only going to end up dropping a big bite of spaghetti and meatball on? No, thank you!
Even so, when I buy clothing (brand new or second hand), I like to take care of it. So it’s very important for me to know how to get rid of stains on not just clothing, but also on walls, furniture, or carpet. When I buy something, I want to make it last.
No matter which way you choose to look at it, stains are absolutely horrible! But there’s no reason to throw something out because somebody slid in the grass or decided that the best place to play with the Play-Doh was on the carpet.
Taking care of stains right when they happen is incredibly important when it comes to making sure that you take care of your clothes or your belongings. Proper maintenance really helps to make sure that you get the most out of everything that you own.
What do you do when…
Spaghetti sauce, chocolate or grease gets on any fabric.
You put a white absorbent cloth under the stain and create a solution with 2 tbs. dishwashing soap (preferably a clear dish soap), and 1 tbs. white vinegar. You have the scrub lightly to break it down and then press on the cloth to help absorb all of the stain. Then you flush it out with lukewarm water.
Grass stains on denim.
Pretreat the grass stain with warm water and vinegar or with water and rubbing alcohol. Rub the mixture directly onto the stain, then wash it like you normally would.
Ink or marker on fabric.
These types of stains are particularly difficult. Depending on the type of ink , it can be really tough to get out. If it’s on its cherished item, your best bet is to take it to a professional dry cleaner. They will help get it out without a problem.
Blood and sweat.
The two most popular stains in my house! (Gross, but true.) Put a white towel or a cloth underneath of whatever fabric has the stain. Soak the stain with ice-cold water using a Q-tip or a small rag. It’s really important to use ice cold water! Never use hot or warm water on blood or sweat! Once the stain is wet, take some hydrogen peroxide and spray it onto the stain. Make sure that you have a cloth on the underside to absorb all of the stain.
Now onto things that you can’t just throw into the washing machine.
Stickers on glass, plastic or metal.
Use either nail polish remover or rubbing alcohol on a clean cloth and soaked the sticker. Let it sit there for a minute or so until the sticker is completely saturated and then some. Then peel the sticker from whatever the surface is. If you don’t have nail polish remover or rubbing alcohol, things like cooking oil, mineral oil, or baby oil can also be used without a problem. And because of the glass, plastic or metal, you don’t have to worry about a stain being caused by the oil!
Stickers on wooden furniture.
Saturate the sticker with furniture polish and let it stand for one or two minutes. Then all you have to do is wipe it away. Yes, it’s really that easy!
Play-Doh in the carpet.
Did I mention that I hate Play-Doh? I really do. Don’t ever get my kids Play-Doh! Anyway. If you get Play-Doh in your carpet, remove as much as Play-Doh as you can. Then make sure you use a dye-free nail polish remover (nothing that is pink, blue, or purple). All you have to do then is blot out whatever’s left on the carpet with nail polish remover.
Crayon on the walls.
Apply baking soda to a wet cloth and rub the same way. Not a big fan of having to use a little bit of elbow grease? Mr. Clean Magic Eraser is amazing for this! But make sure that you’re careful if your walls have a matte finish. Apparently, it could cause problems with the paint.
Shoe scuffs on walls.
A little bit of white toothpaste on a wet sponge we’ll worry about the stuff. Once again, Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. That thing is a magic wand for moms!
For stains on the go, I always have a Tide To-Go pen with me. I keep that thing in my diaper bag and I keep a spare one in the glove box of my car. There’s nothing worse than getting to church and realizing that someone got some juice on their nice white shirt!Â
Or, if you are a boy mom like me, I keep a bottle of hydrogen peroxide with a sprayer head in my car at all times. It doubles not just as a stain fighter, but also as a first-aid precaution!
What is your go-to stain fighter?
hanni says
Thank you caroline.this was very helpful ??