Tips for getting out tough stains
Tips On Getting Out Tough Stains
There's nothing more annoying than getting a stain on your favorite shirt or mud on your white carpet.
But there’s no need to get frustrated anymore. NY1 stopped by the famed Good Housekeeping Institute, where the director of the Home Care Department, Carolyn Forte, showed us how to get out a few common stains.
Crayon on kids clothes
It could happen when they are coloring and playing with crayons, but most of the time it happens when it goes through the washer and dryer and you don't find it until the end. The technique is the same.
“Crayon is a waxy kind of substance,” Forte said. “What you want to use is a dissolvent, and what we found works best is a regular spray lubricant.”
Forte recommends a solution like WD40, which is also used for sticky windows and hinges around the house.
“What you want to do on this particular stain first is always put an absorbent pad under the stain because the stain needs someplace to go as it is dissolved,” Forte said. “Spray on a good amount of WD40 on back of stain, give it a chance to work in and leave that sit for a few minutes.”
Then, Forte said, repeat the step on the front side of the stain. The WD40 will get out most of the wax, then to help get out any leftover color, use your finger to rub a little hand dishwashing liquid into the stain, then put it into the wash and the stain should be history.
Mud on your carpet
With most stains you want to attack them right way, but mud is the exception. You want to let it dry out first and then vacuum up as much as you can before you tackle the stain.
For any stain that is left, Forte recommends making a mild solution of hand dishwashing liquid made up of about 1/4 teaspoon of liquid and warm water.
Put the solution in a spray bottle and apply that to the carpet.
“You want to spray it on lightly,” Forte said. “You don’t want to over-wet the carpet. That’s the reason for the spray bottle. Dab it into the carpet. When you think it’s pretty much gone, then follow up with a clear warm water rinse.”
Let the stain sit with some paper towels on it so any stain left can be absorbed as it dries.
Gum
Forte said you first want to use an ice cube to harden the gum. Then scrape off as much as you can with a knife.
“For any gum that has gotten into the fibers, you want to use a solvent to help dissolve that,” Forte said. “And one that we like is Afta. Just keep applying and you will see it’s dissolving the stain. For anything that’s really in there, you can soak it in a bowl with a little cleaning fluid inside.”
Then give it a good washing and your stain will be gone, Forte said.
For complete list on how to get out almost any stain, log onto www.goodhousekeeping.com.
There's nothing more annoying than getting a stain on your favorite shirt or mud on your white carpet.
But there’s no need to get frustrated anymore. NY1 stopped by the famed Good Housekeeping Institute, where the director of the Home Care Department, Carolyn Forte, showed us how to get out a few common stains.
Crayon on kids clothes
It could happen when they are coloring and playing with crayons, but most of the time it happens when it goes through the washer and dryer and you don't find it until the end. The technique is the same.
“Crayon is a waxy kind of substance,” Forte said. “What you want to use is a dissolvent, and what we found works best is a regular spray lubricant.”
Forte recommends a solution like WD40, which is also used for sticky windows and hinges around the house.
“What you want to do on this particular stain first is always put an absorbent pad under the stain because the stain needs someplace to go as it is dissolved,” Forte said. “Spray on a good amount of WD40 on back of stain, give it a chance to work in and leave that sit for a few minutes.”
Then, Forte said, repeat the step on the front side of the stain. The WD40 will get out most of the wax, then to help get out any leftover color, use your finger to rub a little hand dishwashing liquid into the stain, then put it into the wash and the stain should be history.
Mud on your carpet
With most stains you want to attack them right way, but mud is the exception. You want to let it dry out first and then vacuum up as much as you can before you tackle the stain.
For any stain that is left, Forte recommends making a mild solution of hand dishwashing liquid made up of about 1/4 teaspoon of liquid and warm water.
Put the solution in a spray bottle and apply that to the carpet.
“You want to spray it on lightly,” Forte said. “You don’t want to over-wet the carpet. That’s the reason for the spray bottle. Dab it into the carpet. When you think it’s pretty much gone, then follow up with a clear warm water rinse.”
Let the stain sit with some paper towels on it so any stain left can be absorbed as it dries.
Gum
Forte said you first want to use an ice cube to harden the gum. Then scrape off as much as you can with a knife.
“For any gum that has gotten into the fibers, you want to use a solvent to help dissolve that,” Forte said. “And one that we like is Afta. Just keep applying and you will see it’s dissolving the stain. For anything that’s really in there, you can soak it in a bowl with a little cleaning fluid inside.”
Then give it a good washing and your stain will be gone, Forte said.
For complete list on how to get out almost any stain, log onto www.goodhousekeeping.com.
