Here are a few tips for getting rid of those dreaded household stains:
Greasy Stains
If you don’t happen to have a specialized grease remover on hand, you can use a few drops of grease cutting dish washing liquid. Wet the area, apply the dish detergent, and rub the soap into the stain well. Rinse and repeat as necessary. Allow the fabric to air dry and check to make sure the greasy spot is removed. Reapply if necessary then wash and dry as usual. For stationary items that cannot be machine washed, apply dish soap, rinse with a clean damp cloth, and air dry.
Discolored Countertops
Red, blue, and purple soft drink mixes, fruit juices, and other foods can easily stain countertops. Wiping spots up immediately helps prevent and lessen stains, but unfortunately, we don’t always see spots right away (especially if the kids are making Kool-Aid). For some surfaces a bleach pen or bleach based cleaning solution will remove such stains safely and easily. Soft Scrub or Scratch Free Comet are also good choices, as long as bleach can be safely used on the surface. If bleach is not recommended, try scrubbing the area gently with a paste made of baking soda and laundry detergent with bleach alternative added. You might want to test these mixtures in an out of the way spot to make sure they don’t damage the finish.
Wet Newsprint
If someone lays a newspaper or other printed item on a damp surface, you know what happens. Print stains can be difficult to remove. When this occurred on my honey colored wood kitchen table, I didn’t know if it would come off. I dampened a rag with hot water, wrung it out, and laid it over the stain. I pressed it down and left it for several minutes. I then washed the area with Goo Gone concentrate until the stain was no longer noticeable.
Textured Surfaces
The best product I’ve found so far for cleaning soiled or stained surfaces that are textured is the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. There are also knock-off products available from other companies. Some are quite comparable to the Magic Eraser and they tend to cost less. Some also offer an absorbent side. Test out different brands to see which one you prefer.
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