Stain Removal: How To Remove the Most Stubborn Stains

More than likely, we probably can’t count how many times we’ve spilled something resulting in a stain on clothing, carpets and other surfaces. Stains are an inevitable factor, and getting them out can be quite a challenge. As many of us know, some stains are much easier to remove than others.

The most challenging stains we experience come from wine, mud, coffee, and nail polish just to name a few. Luckily we have a few ways to help you clean and remove stains to make your surfaces look good as new.

How to Remove Wine Stains

Wine can be one of the most challenging liquids to extract, but there is hope. Your first step when removing red wine stains should be to blot the spot with a paper towel. This will stop the wine from further seeping into the carpet or clothing, and it will make the rest of the process easier. After that you should get either white vinegar or a detergent, both are common household cleaning solutions, and apply on the spot.

Lastly, you should get a wet paper towel and gently pat dry. This should remove most if not all of the wine from the stained surface. However, if it does not, repeat the steps until it is completely gone.

How to Remove Mud Stains

A mud stain is a little easier to get out than wine. If you get mud caked on or deep into your carpet, the best thing to use is detergent. To do this, get the mud to dry slightly, then pour a little bit of laundry detergent on the muddy carpet or on a rag and blot the area.

In addition to this, have a town soaked in warm water to remove the detergent and stain from the carpet. After doing this for a bit, the mud should come out of the carpet; however, if it does not, carefully wipe blot the area with a wet towel and then blot with vinegar or hydrogen peroxide.

How to Remove Coffee Stains

A coffee spill is probably one of the most common incidents. Typically coffee can drip and get in your carpet or on your clothing. If you catch the stain early enough, before it sets in, you can blot it with a wet paper towel.

However, if it sits for a bit, it is best to blot the affected area with a handy detergent stick to remove the stain. In addition you will want to use vinegar and then enzyme detergent to blot out the stain. Fruit juice can be removed the same way.

How to Remove Nail Polish Stains

Spilling nail polish stains can be frustrating because of their pigmented array of colors, making them easy to notice as well as their strong smell. That is why it is imperative to get them out as soon as the spill happens.

It might seem obvious to some, but the best way to remove nail polish from carpets is to use a cotton ball and nail polish remover. Nail polish remover contains acetone that helps dissolve nail polish and can be blotted on stains. If still present,  follow the same technique as removing coffee: apply detergent, vinegar, enzyme, and water one at a time while blotting.

How to Remove Blood Stains

The first solvent you want to use to remove blood stains is detergent. Most types of detergent will do, but the best type to clean blood stains is to hand wash with a detergent. Next, blot the stain with water to rinse the detergent out of the spot.

Repeat the process if necessary before applying ammonia to the spot. Make sure to blot out the ammonia with warm water once the stain is removed.

How to Remove Grass Stains

Grass stains are incredibly frequent among articles of clothing. Before applying anything to the affected spot, make sure you remove any blades of grass and excess soil or dirt.

After that, mix baking soda with hydrogen peroxide to make a paste. Rub on the green chlorophyll stain(s) and let sit for approximately half an hour. Blot with detergent, water, and ammonia to remove the rest of the stain.

How to Remove Crayon Stains

If you have children, you may have experienced the difficulties of removing crayon wax from many different surfaces. Children love to use crayons but sometimes they miss the paper and draw on all sorts of areas.

The wax in these can make them difficult to remove; however, there is a way get rid of the stain. Blot with dry-cleaning solvent, POG (paint, oil, and grease) remover, and detergent until the stain goes away. You may need to repeat this a few times to get all the crayon wax and pigments out.

How to Remove Gum

If gum sits in your carpet over a period of time is can seem almost impossible to remove. The preservatives that help it last for years also make the gum stain and harden in your carpet or clothing. That is why it is important to remove it as quickly as possible.

The best way to remove a gum stain is with dish detergent and warm water. First apply the detergent to the spot and blot the area. Afterwards, blot the spot with warm water to remove the detergent. If you repeat this a few times the stain should lessen and it can be scraped out.

Stain removal, though frustrating, can be easier than you would think. The American Cleaning Institute has even more tips for removing specific stains. Remember, if the stain is related to biohazards, mold, or water damage, it’s important to call a professional like Jenkins Environmental Services to help deal with the source!