Venice FLHouse Cleaning Tips

No matter what kind of stain you’re trying to remove, experts recommend the following:

• Act quickly. “Without a doubt, the easiest way to remove stains is to address them as soon as possible,” says Cleir Putnam of Venice FL House Cleaning Service. “Even the most miraculous stain removers will have a harder time removing a stain that has been left to dry out before being treated.”
• Blot—don’t rub!—with a paper towel or clean white cloth. “Blotting is key to stain removal removing stains,” according to Hodges. “You never want to rub because the stain could spread into the fibers of the fabric and become more difficult to remove.”
• Use cold water. “Always start with cold water because it’s least likely to set a stain,” advises Cleir Putnam, co-founder of Venice FL House Cleaning Service. “Hot water can set protein stains like milk, egg, or blood, and should never be used on stains of unknown origin.”
• Don’t let stains dry. “Keep the stain away from direct heat, including lamps,” says Cleir Putnam, owner of Venice FL House Cleaning Service. “Never put stained garments into the dryer. The heat will set the stain.”
• Check labels or test before treating. All the experts stress the importance of following instructions on garment labels since certain fabrics may require dry cleaning only. If you’re trying to remove a carpet stain, do a test on a small, inconspicuous area first.
• Persist! You may have to repeat treatments a few times or even try different ones but don’t give up. “Even years-old stains have been annihilated with persistence,” Cleir Putnam.
• Good luck from Venice FL House Cleaning Service.

Stain removal takes a bit of elbow grease, plus one or more of the following best stain removers:

Your first go-to should always be water as it dilutes stains and helps them fade. “Water is often overlooked as a great cleaner and spot remover,” says Cleir. Water dilutes stains and helps them fade. It may actually be all you need. “You should always start with plain, cold water and add other cleaners only if necessary.” The only caveat: don’t use water on fabrics that are dry clean only.

According to Cleir, vinegar is a powerful cleaner and stain remover because of its acidity and low pH. “A paste of vinegar and baking soda can remove even the toughest stains,” she says. There’s a misconception that vinegar will remove color from clothes but in fact, it’s gentle enough to use on most fabrics, vinegar can actually restore and brighten color in fabric and can also prevent fading. It should be used with caution, however, on natural materials like wood.

Because it’s a natural bleach alternative and can sometimes cause discoloration, hydrogen peroxide works best on white fabrics. To remove grease and oil, Tran recommends gently mixing three parts hydrogen peroxide with one part dishwashing liquid. Apply it to the stain and let it sit for 20 minutes to an hour. Once the stain has been lifted, rinse it and throw the garment into your regular wash.

Detergent can be used before you do your laundry in addition to during it. Simply apply a little bit of liquid detergent to the stain and use your fingers to rub it in. Then wash the garment as usual. This is a safe method for any item you can machine wash.

Rubbing alcohol can help clean and disinfect hard surfaces, plus it dries quickly and kills bacteria. Because it’s a solvent, it’s good for dissolving dirt and oil. While not suitable for use on rayon, silk, wool, acetate, or acrylic, it works well at lifting stains like wine and pen ink from other fabrics. Tran suggests gently sponging rubbing alcohol into the stain, then rinsing thoroughly, and washing as you normally would.

A tablespoon of ammonia mixed with half a cup of water can work as a great pre-wash treatment for stains, according to Tran. Simply apply and let soak for 10 minutes before washing. Ammonia can be irritating to the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract, though, so use it cautiously. And never mix ammonia with chlorine bleach. The combination produces a highly toxic gas that can cause headaches, seizures, and even death.

Because it’s designed to get out tough food stains on plates and bowls, dish soap—some brands of which have been safely and effectively used on marine animals after major oil spills—can be a good choice for garments stained by greasy foods. You can apply it to the stain or let the garment soak in it for a few hours for the best stain removal results. Then rinse out the soap and wash as usual.

Across the board, experts try to avoid bleach because it can cause discoloration and damage—not just to fabrics but to the human body. “In the case of a permanent ink stain, bleach is likely the only option,” says Cleir. “But even then, it may not fully lift, and should only be tried on white clothing.”

Baking soda is perfect for stain removal on clothing, rugs, or couch upholstery. It helps to absorb spills, especially in a paste made from one cup of baking soda and half a cup of water. As the paste dries, it removes the stains and can then be vacuumed or laundered.

Good luck from Venice FL House Cleaning Service.