Beer Stain Removal Hints Beer stains are fairly easy to remove. If the stain is still wet, blot up as much as you can with a clean white cloth or paper towels. Never rub a stain. Mix a teaspoon of a good dishwashing detergent, such as Dawn, with a cup of warm water. Spoon some of this detergent mixture onto the stain, and allow to stand for 5 minutes. Rinse the stain with a little warm water, and carefully blot dry. If the stain is stubborn, mix one part of white vinegar to two parts water, and repeat the previous steps. If the stain is on clothing, always rinse the stain in cool running water from the back of the stain, and treat the stain as you would carpet. Vinegar will bleach clothing, so be sure to rinse right away, and wash according to care label instructions. Remember, the dark beers such as Guinness Lager will cause the worst stain due to its dark coloring. 1. Mix one teaspoon of a mild ph balanced detergent (a mild non alkaline non bleaching detergent) with a cup of lukewarm water 2. Blot 3. Mix one third cup of white household vinegar with two thirds cup of water 4. Blot 5. Sponge with clean water 6. Blot
How To Clean Juice Stains Removing juice stains can be accomplished by quickly rinsing with cool water. Don't use detergent on the stain - it will set it and make it impossible to remove. Instead, use white vinegar and blot to remove. Clear fruit juices, such as grapefruit, orange, or apple can be removed by blotting out as much of the juice as you can, and then rinsing with cool water. If needed, use a sponge and white vinegar to clean the spot, and then use a stain pretreater, such as Shout, and launder per the care label instructions. On dry clean only items, sponge on a little white vinegar, and rinse with cool water. If the stain persists, use a digestant enzyme paste on the stain, and let stand for 30 minutes. Rinse. Don't apply a digestant enzyme cleaner to silk or wool. These are best handled by a dry cleaning professional. 1. Blot up liquid 2. Mix one teaspoon of a mild pH balanced detergent (a mild non alkaline non bleaching detergent) with a cup of lukewarm water 3. Blot 4. Rinse with white household vinegar 5. Blot 6. Mix one teaspoon of a mild pH balanced detergent (a mild non alkaline non bleaching detergent) with a cup of lukewarm water 7. Blot 8. Sponge with clean water 9. Blot 10. If stain remains, blot with alcohol Note: Always test an inconspicuous area for colorfastness, etc. before treating the exposed area. Also note that certain stains are permanent Milk stains can be removed from machine washable garments by quickly blotting them up with cool water as promptly as possible. Soak the garment in cool water for 30 minutes or more. Work undiluted liquid detergent into the stain, and rinse. Launder per care label instructions. If the garment is dry clean only, cover the stain with a sponge, and squirt cool water through the sponge with a medicine dropper. Blot dry with a clean white cloth. If this fails to remove the stain, try working a bit of liquid detergent into the stain and carefully rinse. Finally, sponge with isopropyl alcohol to remove the detergent. Dilute the alcohol at a ratio of 2 to one with cool water, and be sure to test this solution on an area of the garment that is not seen, such as a seam allowance. 1. Mix one teaspoon of a mild pH balanced detergent (a mild non alkaline non bleaching detergent) with a cup of lukewarm water 2. Blot 3. Mix one tablespoon of household ammonia with a half cup of water 4. Blot 5. Mix one teaspoon of a mild pH balanced detergent (a mild non alkaline non bleaching detergent) with a cup of lukewarm water 6. Blot 7. Sponge with clean water 8. Blot Note: Always test an inconspicuous area for colorfastness, etc. before treating the exposed area. Also note that certain stains are permanent Soda pop can be removed by using this method. Hydrogen peroxide is mixed at the ratio of 1/4 cup hydrogen peroxide to 3 cups of water. Using a spray bottle, spray on and let stand for 10 minutes. Rinse with 1/4 cup of white vinegar added to 3/4 cup of cold water, and blot dry. Boiling water is also reported to remove pop and juice stains from clothing if the stain has not set. 1. Mix one teaspoon of a mild ph balanced detergent (a mild non alkaline non bleaching detergent) with a cup of lukewarm water 2. Blot 3. Mix one third cup of white household vinegar with two thirds cup of water 4. Blot 5. Sponge with clean water 6. Blot Note: Always test an inconspicuous area for colorfastness, etc. before treating the exposed area. Also note that certain stains are permanent Tea Stain Removal Tea stains can be removed by dipping a sponge in white vinegar and applying to the stain. Wash the garment per care label instructions. Don't throw the garment into the dryer, as the heat will set any remaining stains. You can also soak the garment in a solution of 3 cups of white vinegar to one cup of water. Place in a large glass bowl and soak. Then, rub the garment to remove any lingering residue and rinse in cold water. If the stain persists, rub with salt. Rinse, and launder as usual. 1. Mix one teaspoon of a mild pH balanced detergent (a mild non alkaline non bleaching detergent) with a cup of lukewarm water 2. Blot 3. Mix one third cup of white household vinegar with two thirds cup of water. 4. Blot 5. Mix one teaspoon of a mild pH balanced detergent (a mild non alkaline non bleaching detergent) with a cup of lukewarm water 6. Blot 7. Sponge with clean water 8. Blot Note: Always test an inconspicuous area for colorfastness, etc. before treating the exposed area. Also note that certain stains are permanent How to Clean Hand Lotion Stains To purchase Motsenbocker's Lift Off #2, click here. NEW Method! Motsenbocker's Lift Off #2 is a petroleum based, commercially and industrially proven formulation that can effectively remove such items as: oil stains, adhesives, bumper stickers, chewing gum, pencil marks, pitch/sap, contact paper, candle wax, creosote, crayons, price stickers, tar, lipstick, shoe polish, fresh oil based paint and petroleum based silicone. It can be used on carpets, fabrics, hardwood floors, metal, formica, exhaust fans, vinyl, plastic, barbecues, tools, tile and chains. The product works better than existing products; it works in the same reactionary time; it is safe on all surfaces (except styrene plastics); it costs the same or less than other products and it is safe for the user. Old Method 1. Sponge with a small amount of dry cleaning solvent 2. Blot 3. Mix one teaspoon of a mild pH balanced detergent (a mild non alkaline non bleaching detergent) with a cup of lukewarm water 4. Blot 5. Sponge with clean water 6. Blot Note: Always test an inconspicuous area for colorfastness, etc. before treating the exposed area. Also note that certain stains are permanent. Removing cosmetics from clothing, furniture and carpet can be tough to do. Any woman who has polished her nails can testify to the fact that sooner or later, nail polish is going to get spilled on the carpet or clothing at some time, and necessitates removal. There are two types of makeup - oily and non oily. Non oily makeup is such things as eye shadow, blushes, and powdered makeup. Oily types are lipsticks, rouge, mascara, and liquid makeup. Each type requires a specific method of removal. Removing these stains is easy if common sense is used, and care taken to test the fabric or carpet in an inconspicuous place before proceeding. It is recommended that an area of clothing, such as a seam allowance, be tested before removal attempts to insure that the fabric is not going to be damaged. If the stains get on carpeting, test your cleaning method on an area of rug that is unseen by you or your guests. In your war on cosmetic stain removal, have these cleaners or ingredients on hand: 1. Rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) 2. Hydrogen peroxide 3. Cleaning solvents, such as lighter fluid, turpentine or mineral spirits. 4. Any good all-fabric bleach 5. Chlorine bleach 6. Household ammonia 7. Clean white cloth Obviously, it is best to attempt to remove the stain as quickly as possible. Fresh stains come out much easier. The good thing about cosmetic stains is that makeup is generally applied at home before leaving for work or an evening out, and you can get to the stain quicker. Let's begin with lipstick. Be sure to read the care label on any garment before attempting to remove the stain. You may find your garment to be "dry clean only." Lipstick, because it is an oil based form of makeup, can best be treated with a prewash stain remover before attempting to wash the shirt or blouse. Don't rub the stain - it may only drive it in deeper. Blot the stain with your clean white cloth, and rinse in warm water. If the stain is persistent, try applying a good liquid household detergent to the stain, again not rubbing the material. Often, rubbing alcohol will remove lipstick stains. Dab the stain with a small amount of isopropyl alcohol, then add a small amount of household detergent, and wash the garment per label care instructions. Household ammonia is another good resource for removing lipstick. First blot the stain with a bit of water to remove as much of the lipstick as possible, then treat with a little ammonia, and rinse and wash per care label instructions. Do not use ammonia on silk or wool! Some authorities claim that hairspray works well on removing lipstick stains. Spray a little hairspray on the stain, let stand a few minutes, and then wipe off the hairspray with your white cloth. Rinse, and launder per label care instructions. If a garment is one of your most favorites, you may wish to have a professional remove the stain. If the garment is a high ticket item, this is probably your best choice. Removing finger nail polish is also fairly easy. Simply use an acetone based fingernail polish remover to remove the stain. You can also place the stain over a small bowl and attach with a rubber band to secure the stain over the bowl. Using a stainless steel spoon, gently drip small amounts of fingernail polish remover over the stain and let the residue drip into the bowl, working it in with your finger. Launder per label care instructions. Removing mascara requires different intervention. Because it is oil based, an oil solvent from a dry cleaning establishment works the best. The enzymes in the dry cleaning solvent breaks down the protein glue, which is the substances that attaches the stain to the fabric, and also attacks the stain itself. Let dry, brush off the residue, and launder per care label instructions. Liquid makeup stains are tough to remove. Probably one of the most interesting things the author read in research for this article is a trick from WWII when soap was hard to come by. The suggestion was to take the stained garment outdoors, and lay it in the grass, stain side down, and leave it overnight. The next morning, the stain will be gone! You can also try using Dawn dish soap as a removal agent. As liquid makeup is oil based, Dawn works the best for cutting the stain. Dawn was, after all, used to clean up birds and sea otters during crude oil spills. As liquid makeup is oil based, the same method is used as in cleaning mascara stains. Brush or blot off any excess, and use a dry cleaning fluid such as K2r Spot Cleaning fluid, or Afta Cleaning Fluid to flush the stain. (Be careful not to use on acetates!) Repeat as necessary until the stain is gone. Removing hair dye stains by blotting the stain with isopropyl alcohol until the stain is removed. You can also use turpentine, lighter fluid, and mineral spirits on certain fabrics. Launder or dry clean per care label instructions. Be warned, though - hair dye is one of the toughest stains to remove. There are many different ways to remove stains from cosmetics. Many of the processes used work as well on carpet and furniture as well as clothing. Determine if your makeup stain is oil based or non-oily, and proceed from there. Always carefully follow any care label instructions and laundering information. Doing so can save that favorite blouse or sweater when cosmetics stain them. Lemon Juice Lemons and lemon juice not only clean, but smell great, too. . Use sliced lemons to freshen your microwave by placing a bowl of water with three or four lemon slices in the microwave and cook on high for 30 seconds. . Clean copper by dipping a cut lemon in salt and rubbing on the copper. . Rub halved lemons on cutting boards, rinse with cold water to clean and destroy cutting board odors. . Clean scratch-prone laminate counter tops by rubbing with lemons or lemon juice for gentle cleansing. list end Salt Salt is another kitchen cabinet cleanser that is useful as a soak and mild abrasive. It is also known to kill germs and preserve foods. . Sprinkle salt on spillovers and oven drips while they are still liquid. The salt absorbs the drips. Wipe the mess away when it cools. . For burnt on foods in enameled pots, cover the pot bottom with water, add four to five tablespoons of salt and soak overnight. Bring to a boil in the morning and the food should lift away. . Frequent washing of cast iron washes away the non-stick "seasoning" from the pans. As an alternative, shake salt on the pans, then wipe clean. Wash with soap after every other use. Do this prior to cooking to keep fried foods from sticking. . These are a few other salt cleaning tips: mix salt and vinegar to clean copper or rub damp salt to remove dried or cooked-on egg. Food and soap scum can be removed from sinks by scouring with salt, too. Potatoes Potatoes are often on hand in home kitchens, and are useful for cleaning metals. Rub raw potatoes on rusted pans, or save the water from boiled potatoes and dip tarnished silver in it when cool to restore shine. Toothpaste Toothpaste is not technically found in the kitchen, but is a relatively harmless and handy home cleaner nonetheless. Use toothpaste as you would a polish to shine silver, rub onto marks left by cutlery on china, or brush toothpaste with a toothbrush to clean grout between tiles. Miscellaneous Here are a few kitchen and bath cabinet odds and ends and some interesting uses for them. . Orange drink crystals (like kool aid or tang) get rid of dishwasher stains; start the cycle and add crystals when the water has filled. Complete the wash cycle. . Drop vanilla, orange, or lemon extract onto cotton for quick air fresheners for room and refrigerator deodorizers. . Run a section of wax paper though can openers (as if opening a can) to free up the mechanisms. . Clean your bathroom mirror with shaving cream and it won't fog from the shower. . Shine stove tops using rubbing alcohol. You may not know it, but your kitchen cabinets may be stocked with cleaners to tackle a myriad of home cleaning projects. Not only can everyday groceries provide low-odor and non-corrosive alternatives to commercial cleansers, but household and food items might be just the spot or stain remover you've been looking for. Vinegar Vinegar is useful all over the house from the kitchen and bath to even cleaning the family pet. Vinegar naturally kills bacteria and molds, and neutralizes unwelcome smells. Here are some helpful ways to clean with vinegar. Note: For these cleaning projects, white, distilled vinegar is recommended. Running a solution of vinegar through your coffee pot removes lime and deposits left from water, removes old coffee stains and freshens the internal mechanisms of the pot for fresh tasting coffee. Fill the pot to the six cup line with white vinegar. Pour into the reservoir and let the vinegar run half way through the cycle. Turn the coffee maker off, and let it sit for ten minutes. Turn the pot back on and complete the brew cycle. Discard the vinegar and run two or more brew cycles through the maker with fresh, cold water. Repeat monthly or any time brewing is slow. To clean tea kettles, boil one part vinegar to one part water and let sit overnight; rinse the kettle well in the morning with water (the same procedure works using water sprinkled with cream of tartar). Vinegar is very effective in eliminating musty odors in the washing machine, too. Front loading washers are especially plagued by this problem. Add eight ounces of white vinegar to the laundry soap when you wash a load; this also helps to eliminate stubborn odors from clothing. Vinegar is a great cleanser choice for refrigerators. Wipe down your refrigerator inside and out to clean, remove and prevent mildew, and kill odors. The vinegar kills bacteria and is safe to use around your stored foods. For film and hard water stains on glass and crystal, wash in a solution of one cup vinegar mixed with three cups warm water and allow glasses to air dry. Vinegar solves bigger kitchen problems, too. To clean a garbage disposal, freeze a mixture of half water and half vinegar in ice cube trays. Run the cubes through the disposal. To rid the disposal of odors, pour one cup of vinegar into the disposal and rinse for three minutes with cold water. The same method can be used to deodorize a kitchen sink drain, but if the sink is plugged, mix one-half cup vinegar with one-half cup baking soda and pour it down the sink. The bubbling action works to dislodge the blockage. The benefits of cleaning with vinegar extend into the bathroom, too. Vinegar can be used to break down lime and hard-water scale. To open a clogged shower head or water fixture, soak the heads in a bowl or Ziploc bag filled with vinegar overnight. Rinse and replace in the morning for free flowing faucets. Using vinegar to scour and clean tubs, sinks, and toilets kills mold and mildew, prevents mildew growth, and removes soap and water scum. Simply spray or wipe the vinegar on, wait and rinse clean. Pour vinegar into toilet bowls, let sit for an hour, brush to clean and flush away. Your home may smell as is you've colored dozens of eggs, but the smell dissipates after a few minutes as the vinegar evaporates. When pet odors and accidents become an issue, break out the vinegar bottle. A half and half mixture of vinegar applied to cat urine and potty stains neutralizes the odor, eliminating it so kitty won't keep returning to its designated bathroom spot. The same 50-50 mix works well as a wash when your pets have been the victims of a skunk's spray. Shampoo the dog and wash with the vinegar mix. Let the vinegar sit to neutralize the smell for fifteen to thirty minutes, then rinse. Baking Soda Baking soda is as useful as vinegar for home cleaning projects and odor control. Baking soda is well known as a way to absorb odors in the refrigerator and freezer, and is a mild abrasive useful on delicate surfaces and counters. To clean spills in the oven, make a paste with baking soda and water; apply to baked on spills and scrub. Wipe the mess away with damp cloths or paper towels. Use a soda and water paste to clean a dirty oven door, too. Wipe the mix on the oven window, let sit for 10 minutes and rinse with water. Mix together one-half cup baking soda, one-half cup bleach and a cup of water; apply with a cloth to whiten appliances, sinks, counters, and baths. Baking soda easily removes caked on grease from pans, electric skillets and small appliances. Cover the grease with baking soda, let sit for 15 minutes, then wipe with a wet cloth. Rinse with water. Pans with food burned onto them are difficult to clean without ruining them and scratching surfaces. Try this more gentle baking soda approach. Scrape as much burned food from the pans as possible, then cover the burned area with soda. Add one and a half cups of water, then let sit overnight. Scrape the pan using a rubber spatula to remove debris. Here's a great tip for tea-lovers. Rub tea-stained china gently with a cloth sprinkled with baking soda (this also works using salt). Clean and refresh thermoses by mixing two tablespoons baking soda in warm water and soak. Rinse away odors and lingering tastes. Sensitive counters and surfaces that are easily scratched are best cleaned with a mild baking soda and water paste. Let the paste sit on stains for 15 minutes, then wipe clean. A last baking soda cleaning tip is another alternative for a clean and fresh coffee maker. For an odorless option, run eight cups of water mixed with two teaspoons baking soda through the coffee maker. Rinse the appliance with fresh, cold water afterwards. I hope you can solve some of your stain problems with some of these helpful tips. Ray
