Paint
– Emulsion
| Fabrics | It is imperative
these stains are treated immediately whilst still damp. Sponge with cold water and
wash immediately. |
Paint
– Oil base | Fabrics | It is imperative
these stains are treated immediately whilst still damp. Dab with white spirit then
wash as usual in detergent. |
Perfume | Fabrics | Rinse immediately.
Soften dried stains with glycerine solution (1 part to 2 parts water) before washing. |
There is a more detailed article on
dealing with personal stains such as perfume, perspiration and deodorant here |
Perspiration | Fabrics | Fresh stains can be
treated with a solution of ammonia (1 part to 3 parts water), then rinse. Alternatively, dab with white vinegar solution (15ml/3 teaspoons
vinegar to 250ml/1/2 pint water), and leave for 5 minutes then soak in a biological
detergent and wash in the normal manner. These stains can be difficult to remove
completely. For non-washable items, dab gently with the above vinegar solution to
clear stain and freshen the area. Soluble Aspirin
dissolved in a glass of water will apparently remove underarm perspiration stains on
shirts and blouses. Sent in by Jane. |
Red
Wine | Fabrics/Carpet | Sponge immediately with
White Wine to remove the red stain.
If stain has dried soften with glycerine (1 part to
2 parts water) before washing. Rinse in warm water, sponge with borax solution (1
tablespoons to 1 pint
water) if necessary. Wash in the usual manner. If you rub salt into the stain immediately after the
spillage has occurred this will counteract the stain. Leave for a minute or two then
rinse with warm water. Thanks to Emma Crowest for this
one. Baby wipes can be used to remove stain. Contribution from David Barns Shaving foam also gets red wine
out of clothing and carpets/upholstery. Joanna Sullivan (although I am not sure
whether they would leave a stain of their own). |
| | Cotton | Soak in cold water
overnight. Simple but effective. Thanks to Annie
Speyer. |
| | Wool Carpet | Immediately pour a pile of salt onto the
freshly spilt wine. The salt absorbs the wine. If left to absorb overnight the
salt may be vacuumed the next day. Thanks to
an anonymous visitor for this tip. |
Rust | Fabrics | Cover stain with salt
and then squeeze lemon juice onto the salt. Leave for about an hour then rinse well and
repeat if necessary. Wash in the normal manner. Proprietary rust removers can be used on
some fabrics. Alternatively, pour lemon juice directly onto the
rust stain and lay it out in the direct sunlight. The stain disappears within 10 to
15 minutes. This works well on whites as well as coloured fabrics and is completely
safe. Thank you Bev. |
Scorch
marks | Fabrics | Feint marks can be
rubbed gently under cold running water, then soaked in a warm borax solution (15ml/1
tablespoon to 500ml/1 pint of warm water). Rinse well, then wash in the normal way. As a last resort, white non-nylon fabric can be bleached by
using a solution of hydrogen peroxide (20 volume strength 1 part to 4 parts water), then
washed in the usual manner. However, if the heat has damaged the fabric there is no remedy. |
Scratches/Dents | Furniture | If small these can be
disguised with iodine, shoe polish or a commercial product. Polish regularly. Dents may respond if a warm iron is used carefully over a damp cloth. |
Shoe
polish | Fabrics | Remove any excess then
dab with white spirit or a stain remover. Any remaining colour can be treated by soaking
for one hour is a glycerine solution (1 part to 2 parts water) or, alternatively, with
methylated spirits, however, test for suitability before proceeding. Sponge or wash in
detergent, as appropriate. |
Soiled
underwear | Fabrics | Remove surface
deposits, rinse under cold running water. Soak in cold water and a biological detergent,
then wash in a strong detergent. Alternatively, sponge with a vinegar solution (1
tablespoon/15ml to 1 pint/500ml cold water). |
Soot | Fabrics | Vacuum or shake off
excess. If washable use water as hot as fabric will withstand. Large areas should be
professionally cleaned. |
Spirits | Fabrics | Rinse in clear warm
water, then wash in heavy duty detergent at the highest temperature for the fabric type. |
Sticky
marks | Furniture | Soak a cloth in a
solution of vinegar and warm water, ring out well and rub over the offending marks. |
