Kids aren’t predictable, and neither is the removal of stains. Because as parents, we’ve got better things to do than sit around trying to remove lipstick from walls, chewing gum from clothing or even worse, poo from carpet!
That’s why we’ve created this quick and easy stain removal guide to help you remove all things obscure from all the things. PLUS, share your top stain removal tips and you could walk away with a gorgeous Provincial Lane rug thanks to Carpet Court!
1. Clothing
- Blood: Use hydrogen peroxide to get blood out of fabrics. Rub directly into the stain then wash with cold soapy water and dry.
- Coffee: If you missed you mouth due to a severe lack of caffeine (highly likely in the first 6 months of a new baby in the house), sponge the stain thoroughly then soak in a bucket of super-hot water for about half an hour before machine washing.
- Food oils: Spilt oil on your boobs eating pizza and garlic bread on the couch while binge watching chick flicks? Rub cornflour into the area and lightly brush off to remove excess oil, cover again completely with more cornflour and enjoy a glass of wine let sit for a few hours. Shake the excess flour off before putting through a wash cycle.
- Grass Stains: Rubbing alcohol is a solvent and awesome at removing the green pigment from grass. Wet the grass stain with a sponge using isopropyl rubbing alcohol, let it dry, rinse with cold water then rub liquid detergent (not eco) into the stain. Rinse with cold water then machine wash.
- Red wine: Suck on it Position it over a bucket or bowl and repeatedly pour white vinegar over it until gone. If it’s an older stain you can rub it with some white vinegar then bicarbonate of soda. The stain will change colour (grey) and you can rinse with the vinegar immediately before putting through a wash cycle.
- Sunscreen, make-up or build-up of skin oils: Rub normal dishwashing detergent (not eco) into the stain, when it begins to feel like jelly the stain is water soluble and can be washed out in a normal washing machine cycle.
- Vomit: Covered in your little one’s upchuck? Remove any large chunks then soak and agitate in cold water before washing in warm (not hot) water, rinse, and inspect. If colour stain remains, machine wash using chlorine bleach if safe for the fabric, or with all fabric bleach.
- Chewing Gum: So they’ve come home gum over their clothes! Pick off as much as you can and then fold up clothing, leaving the gum facing outwards on top. Place in a plastic bag (if you can) and seal up. Place in the freezer for a couple of hours. Remove and scrape off the gum straight away with an old blunt knife or similar but be careful it doesn’t cut the fabric!
- Buy new clothes.
2. Carpet
- Blood: Use a 50/50 solution of hydrogen peroxide and warm water, spray onto the stain then sprinkle a little salt over the top, rub with a clean cloth. When you’re happy with the result, wash through a normal wash cycle.
- Ink: If the kids decide to take to your carpet with ink, wash the stain immediately with cut lemon. Plenty of lemon must be used and vigorously rubbed into the carpet with a clean flannel. Allow to dry then vacuum.
- Mud: To remove mud marks, sprinkle salt or bicarbonate of soda over the marks and leave to dry, then vacuum.
- Nail Polish. Using a clear, non-acetone nail polish remover, blot the area with a clean white cloth. Don’t rub it. Removal will take time but it will work. Be sure to spot test the colour fastness of your carpet in an inconspicuous area first.
- Poo … yes you read that right, poo: Because you can be guaranteed there will come a time in your life as a parent when you’ll be cleaning poo from your carpet. Do your future self a favour, buy a product called Bac Out (you’ll need to buy it online, you can’t get it in Australia. Bac-Out has enzyme-producing cultures that eat poo from poo stains – great for other organic stains too like vomit). After picking up any remaining poo pieces from the carpet with toilet paper and flushing down the toilet (don’t flush baby wipes), using baby wipes pinch any smaller pieces of poo from the carpet fibres. Spray the area with Bac-Out until damp and leave to soak for 5 minutes. Using an old clean towel, blot the area dry. If there is any remaining residue (or if you’re still disturbed about the fact you had poo in your carpet), mix eco laundry detergent with warm water and gently scrub with a clean towel.
- Smells: (toddler poo anyone?) Sprinkling bicarbonate of soda all over the carpet then vacuuming will deodorise the carpet.
- Urine: Pour a little warm water on the area of the pee to dilute. This makes it easier to soak up if already dry too. Place a folded towel over the pee soaked area of the carpet and apply pressure by stepping firmly on top of it (wash the towel later with laundry detergent and bleach if the towel is white). Apply Bac Out to the area as you would poo stains, then clean the area by mixing eco laundry detergent with warm water and gently scrub with a clean towel. Deodorise with bicarbonate of soda.
- Vomit: Pick up any chunks with paper towel and put it in the bin. Pour a little warm water on the area as you would pee to dilute. Place a folded towel over the vomit soaked area and apply pressure by stepping firmly on top of it. Once dried as much as possible, mix baking soda and corn-starch together in a bowl and sprinkle on the stain. Let the mix absorb for 15 minutes then vacuum. Use Bac Out to sponge clean any remaining residue as per ‘Poo’ cleaning instructions.
- Buy new carpet.
3. Walls
- Black Marks. Thought toothpaste was just for teeth? When objects rub against a wall they can cause black marks which can be removed by toothpaste. Rub the toothpaste gently over the marks and leave for a few minutes, then wash off with a soft, damp cloth.
- Crayon: Here’s a delicious way to remove crayon art from your walls. Rub mayonnaise on the crayon and let it sit for about 10 minutes. Wipe the surface clean with a damp cloth and volia.
- Lipstick: Dip a white cloth in make-up remover and gently wipe over the lipstick mark working it from the outside in. Once removed, give the wall a quick wash with warm soapy water and a clean cloth.
- Mould: Make a solution of chlorine bleach (like domestos) and water – 1 part bleach to 3 parts water. Get a stiff-bristled brush like an old toothbrush and scrub the blackened area. Rinse thoroughly with warm soapy water and dry.
- Pen: Mix a watery paste of bicarb and water then rub it over the mark with a micro fibre cloth.
- Permanent Marker. Soak a clean cloth in isopropyl alcohol and blot the area of the permanent marker to minimise rubbing or scrubbing. Reapply and repeat if the mark is still present.
- Repaint the house.
4. Miscellaneous
- Beetroot: Worst. Stain. Everrrrrr! Treat it as soon as it occurs (if possible). Soak the garment or carpet with cold water. Mix a small amount of strong dish washing detergent in a bowl with a bit of cold water and rub the area of the stain gently with your fingers. This can be really effective if you do this straight away and the stain isn’t too bad. Sadly, if the stain refused to move, try treating it with biological detergent the same as you would a poo or pee stain.
- Kitchen Oils: If your kitchen rangehood, overhead cupboards or ceiling are yellowing or becoming coated in cooking fats, simply dab a clean, white cleaning cloth in tea tree oil and scrub/wipe over the area. The tea tree oil breaks down the cooking fats making them a breeze to wipe away. You can also use tea tree oil to break down the gummy residue of sticky labels making for easy removal of annoying sticky things like jam or coffee jar labels.
- Kitchen Stone Benchtops: Got stone benchtops? Buff them with car polish to leave a thin, invisible film that helps reduce the risk of stains.
- Random Fabric Stains: If you’re a linens kinda gal and use tablecloths or lots of cushions, lightly spray them with cheap hairspray. Spills will bead on the surface and can be easily wiped away which means no stains! And the hairspray easily comes out in a normal wash cycle.
- Buy a new house.
And as hard as it is to keep an eye on our kidlets All. The. Time, prevention is better than cure. Keep horrible stuff like textas, paint, pens and lipstick stored out of reach of little, curious fingers and save yourself the headache.
To celebrate the new range of Provincial Lane rugs by Darren Palmer, we’re giving one lucky reader their choice of rug from the Provincial Lane Collection at Carpet Court! Any size, any style, valued at up to $1790.
Simply complete the entry form below and tell us in the comments below your best STAIN REMOVAL TIP! Come back and enter daily if you like, just leave a new stain removal tip each time to have a valid entry! It’s that easy!
GOOD LUCK!
Win a Provincial Lane Rug valued at up to $1790 thanks to Carpet Court
423 Comments
bicarb soda for stubborn carpet stains!
Rubbing lemon juice on berry stains before rinsing, detergent and washing as per normal would give an extra boost lifting those stains!
Hand sanitiser for permanent marker!
USE BICARB SODA ON STAINS FOR A QUICK FIX.
Bicarbonate Soda on wet stains(wine, juice, any), lifts the stain and also the smell that can appear from being wet
Deal with it quickly!
Use Vinegar and Bicarbonate for tough stains on carpets , the bicarbonate soda also soaks up pet accidents 🙂
Get the dog to lick it right out of the carpet… well, actually… maybe that doesn’t work, guess that’s the reason i desperately need a new rug to hide the repercussions from my silly assumption!
I’ve always be told that Eucalyptus Oil is a great stain remover and I know Mum has used it to remove stains from some of my clothing – but then …my Mum is good at things like that – It probably wouldn’t work for me 😀
Paper towel and lots of patting! Otherwise, I agree, prevention is better that cure!
for blood, soak it in cold water immediately !
I always use white vinegar mixed with sodium bicarbonate, that is such a powerful mix try the tiles, even the laundry, also white vinegar with hot water is great for your tired feet.
Vinegar and Bicarb soda is great for getting rid of stains and smells out of carpet 🙂
Get to the stain early & don’t let it set, bicarb has always been an effective stain remover for most of my problem stains.
Dont scrub strains into the carpet and smear them ….. remember sprinkle, dab and pat , that way your not spreading what ever the stain is
Ask my mum what to do, because she always fixes stains for me!
I mix a little mixture of nappies an and water into a paste and run into Carpet works wonders
A mix of salt and white vinegar. It generally helps at removing carpet stains.
To remove blood stains from items like mattresses, I use a few drops of hydrogen peroxide on the stain, then pat dry with dry cloth. It actually works!
Rub light carpet stains with a mixture of 2 tablespoons salt dissolved in 1/2 cup white vinegar. Let the solution dry, then vacuum.
Dawn dish liquid, hydrogen peroxide – mix, then dab on stain and wash. Doesn’t bleach colours as far as i have tried, and if it is a tough stain sprinkle bi-carb on top and allow to dry then wash.
Bicarbonate soda on wet stains as soon as possible – works wonders!
Baby wipes clean just about everything & anything.. Best tip is to get on to it right away..
My top stain removal tip is to get to the stain as early as possible. Don’t give it time to set further.
Shaving cream! It gets rid of all stains .
As obvious as it is, good old glen 20 surface spray. I use it on EVERYTHING!
Shaving cream is great for general carpet stains. Apply to the stain and let it sit for 30 minutes.
Bicarbonate of soda paste rubbed lightly into stain and let dry for 5-10 mins then add vinegar mixed with vanilla essence (optional, or use any nice smelling essential oil) after it dissolves all the bicarbonate of soda scrub with a stiff brush. Wipe down afterwards with a warm damp cloth.
Gets most stains your kids can come up with. And is environmental friendly.
Rubbing alcohol is great for removal of ink stains from leather. Fresh ink stains are easier to remove and usually come out easily, while older stains may require repeat treatment.
My go to is always bicarbonate before anything else touches it.
I’m a big fan of wet ones they seem to be quick and close by if anything falls , otherwise something that soaks up spills quickly followed by bicarbonate soda and water on the stain . Plain Salt is also good for soaking up liquid spills . Thank you
I use baby wipes for most things, what can I say….I’m a lazy mum & if its easy ill do it
Tomato soup or pumpkin puree stains? Don’t waste your time trying. Just buy new clothes.
You can’t beat no carb sod & white vinegar!!
Every parent is faced with their kids clothes being covered in those pesky grass stains! Never fear, as they can be removed successfully with some plain white toothpaste (not the gel type) and a toothbrush. Onto the stain, squeeze a small amount of the toothpaste, then dip the toothbrush in clean water and use it to scrub away at the stain. Repeat this process as often as required to treat all of the stain(s) on the clothes. Give the clothes a good soak in laundry washing booster/stain remover powder, for one to two hours, then rinse the area and wash the clothing as usual. Grass stains be gone!!
Toothpaste, depending on the colour of fabric, this works well.
Sounds silly but insect repellent works great on permanent marker!
Get to it right away, and use baby wipes! I’ve used baby wipes to remove stains from clothing and the carpet before that I thought wouldn’t budge. Some stains just won’t budge, but if it’s gonna come out, a baby wipe will do it quickly and easily!
For stubborn stains i mix up a paste of biocarb soda and water let it soak in then try and remove stain, i do this a few times and it works perfectly!
Tea Tree Oil is also really great.
Bi-carb and white vinegar, not only get the stains out but the odours as well
Unbelievably, Dettol surface spray (Country Fresh) just for the scent, gets rid of toilet training wee on carpet. Every.Single.Time.Without.Fail!
For liquid spills on carpet I use cooking salt- lots and lots of cooking salt! When it has soaked up all of the liquid, simply vacuum up the salt.
Vinegar and Bicarb soda is great
Hairspray
Soda Water is fantastic for things like cordial stains. Just pour it on and then soak up with a towel and keep going until the stain is removed.
Tea tree oil or bicarbonate of soda & vinegar works a treat.
Baby wipes! They got a red oil based crayon out of my brand new carpet when they said (google) nothing would get it out!
Bicarb soda mixed with water leave 5 minutes & it should lift away
Baby wipes they seem to have the magical ability to remove anything!
I tried almost everything that I’ve heard of but nothing works 🙁
White vinegar, bicarb of soda, dabbing with a neutral coloured cloth!
I recently had curtains so stained with ink there was no saving them so I dyed them! They look like new.
Don’t panic! Whatever the stain is, the most important thing is not to panic – that will have you scrubbing away and rubbing the stain further into the fabric / carpet. Take your time soaking up the stain with paper towels, then dab with water to loosen what remains, soak up with paper towels again, and repeat. The aim is to get as much of the stain out as possible before using any other aides that could inadvertently cause spreading of the original stain.
Soaking in napisan as soon as possible.
never let a stain dry, gentle rub it with a weak solution of water and Eucalyptus oil, then wash immediatly
For urine – immediately soak up as much as possible with white paper towels, then pour a solution of half water and half white vinegar onto the stain, leave it for 5 minutes, then soak up as much moisture as you can with a clean towel. Place a dry folded up towel over the stain with a heavy book over it and leave it for a few hours to soak up as much moisture as possible. Hey presto stain is gone!!
Windex is a great stain remover
Club Soda + Salt = Non-Toxic Stain Remover
1. Blot fresh stain to soak up excess liquid.
2. Sprinkle stained area liberally with salt (but not too liberally or you’ll be vacuuming salt up for weeks, trust me on this one).
3. Pour club soda or seltzer water over stained area.
4. Leave soda and salt on the stained area for a few hours or overnight.
5. Re-blot area to soak up excess water.
6. Vacuum area to remove salt.
I have learnt the most important thing is to scotchguard and to treat spills straight away. And dab don’t rub
For oils and greasey stains use bicarb soda leave for 30 mins. Then using an old dry toothbrush scrub off. Repeat once. Then put through normal wash with pink napisan.
Immediately soak up as much of the spill as possible with paper towel
Baby powder works a treat on oil and curry stains, vinegar is wonderful to brighten clothes and for toilets.So many great stain remove tips and tricks.
For most liquid stains I put baby powder as quick as possible then wait for it to dry, vacuum it up and it smells as fresh as a baby’s bottom!
I use vinegar to get stains and smells out of everything – works great on tupperware containers and tea towels!
I use bi carb or vinegar
I got my white dress caught in the car door. Left a big greasy stain.
I applied dishwashing liquid to the dry skirt. I couldn’t believe it came out before my eyes!
Once off. Then you can wash like normal.
Dishwashing liquid is great for grease especially clothing
Lemon juice & bicarb soda!
Always use eucalyptus oil and luke warm water. Works everytime
Bi carb soda and vinegar is always my go to. It gets everything out of everything.
There are many types of stains but best tip I have is act fast and don’t let the offending material soak in or set.
With a toddler in our house, stains are a big part of our life, but for stains on hard surfaces I use toothpaste and it works a treat every time!!!
bicarb will remove pretty much everything and when that won’t work, I think Gumption is unstoppable!
Jade
Use mentholated spirits to remove texta/ink from fabric couches children have decided to draw on.
Vinegar and Bi carb soda let it bubble and fizz away the stains
Bicarb and vinegar will remove most stains in the home.
The best one is vinegar and bi-carb soda. It works wonder.
Lots of water and dab dab dab. Do not rub and keep dabbing
To remove ink stains from fabric, soak the item in milk! It really works. 🙂
To remove any wax from a rug, cover the wax with a brown grocery bag (one layer) and press with a warm iron.
Orange juice/tomato stains will just disappear if the garment is laundered normally and then hung in full sunlight. There is some sort of chemical reaction because of acidity.
Vinegar is my go to for food stains on clothes – apply vinegar liberally, leave overnight, spray on stain remover, rub lightly and wash as normal. Works wonders for things like cherries, blackberries
Bi carb and vinegar an oldie but a goodie
Best stain removal tip to remove sticky residue is to dab stain with a damp cloth with eucalyptus oil .. Leave for a few mins then using the same cloth gently rub
Ive found hairspray to be great to help get the pen marks off my sons white school shirts
Ink: If it’s a fountain pen stain, the best thing for it is rotten milk. Place 300ml of milk in an open-mouth container and leave it out in the sunshine until it goes all lumpy and yucky. It’s those lumps you want to place onto the stains. It will break them down and then you can wash them away.
hair spray works great for pen spray leave for a few minutes then wash off with warm soapy water
I agree with many of the other comments but if you don’t act fast with stains they can become a real problem with lingering shadowy remains left.
try not to let stains dry they are easy to remove if you do it straight away
stains – AARRRRGGGGGGGGHHHHHHH!!!!!
I’m madly noting all those below and all those yet to come.
My suggestion – avoid them at all costs :))
Using Himalayan pink salt on carpets, works every time for me!
Better than any expensive bottle or spray…is like my secret, unique recipe!
Stains disappear, even the most stubborn or challenging ingredients, almost literally before one’s eyes!
Is like a carpet stain magic trick done in front of an audience with wonderment and suprize!
If you have biro ink on fabric (like in shirt pockets grrr!) try either toothpaste or hairspray. Depending on the fabric, you should have success removing the ink with ether one of these.
Aeroguard works wonders to remove felt pen. Spray, let it sit and scrub clean!!
Definitely address the stain ASAP, and treat with eucalyptus! Works a treat
For a chemical free way to clean your highchair straps use a paste of baking soda mixed with lemon juice, work in with an old toothbrush and rinse or wipe clean and leave in direct sunlight to dry. For extremely stubborn stains put lemon juice directly back onto the straps before placing in the sunlight, the lemon works like a bleach.
Sponge up using very absorbent cloth, then use Bicarb soda sprinkled on stains or spills,let it dry and vacuum, simple but effective.
Once you get “court” with a “carpet” stain you need to get them quick before they get deep in the carpet otherwise they are hard to remove. I usually use a carpet cleaning spray and if I can get it quick enough it usually does the job.
I get stains out with lemon juice to help break it up for such things as red wine, followed by damp cloth with soda water
White vinegar, it’s cheap and kills bugs too!
I find that Window cleaner spray (Windex) gets most small stains out pretty quickly and easily.
If it’s a tough stain, rub lemon juice over the top, or lay a slice of lemon on the stain.
Bi Carb on Puppy pee …. blot up then sprinkle the Bi Carb, Vacuum the next day. The pup won’t return to that spot.
To remove ink from clothes – put toothpaste on generously and let it dry then wash normally
I love using white vinegar for stain removal! Its natural and effective!
A piece of scotch tape to get pencil marks of wallpaper; press lightly and peel, the pencil lifts off in the top fibres and leaves the rest intact.
To remove furniture indentations from pure wool carpet place a tea towel over the area and then press with a warm iron. The heat will lift the fibres.
Nail polish remover with acetone for permanent texta
Bicarb soda is very good for stains even red wine.
Take armchair or bean bag, position squarely over unsightly stain. Relax.
White vinegar & bi-carb
Boiling water in a bucket with a cup of nappy sand has always worked for me
remove chocolate stain from carpet with cold water & dishwashing liquid. hot water will set the stain!
Bio Zet is good for cleaning up Pet accidents. It neutralises the smell, and they don’t keep marking out their territory.
Salt to soak up the pesky wine spills.
If you’ve got rust on clothing it can be removed with either white vinegar or lemon juice. Lay the clothing or fabric out on an old towel and pour a small amount of white vinegar directly on the stain – or rub a cut lemon half on the stain. Saturate it thoroughly, then blot it with a clean white towel. Lay outside in the sunshine until the stain starts to fade, then launder as usual. More extensive or stubborn stains benefit from a dose of commercial rust remover, found at hardware stores.
Blu tac, play do and similar goo can be used to remove itself. Roll a fresh ball over the offending mark and it attaches itself to the ball and presto, gone.
vinegar
eucalyptus oil to remove gum and sticky residue
Peanut butter to remove gum on fabrics and works great on gum in hair too!
Use a tray or adult bib tea towel, carpet cover so no mess in first place
Vinegar and baking soda can remove stubborn stains for a variety of fabric, including carpet. Do an inconspicuous test first.
I find that a paste of bicarbonate and vinegar is cheap and effective for most stains without being too strong as to bleach the surrounding area (especially carpet!) so I can use with confidence.
bicarbonate of soda all over the carpet then vacuuming will deodorise the carpet.
Methylated Spirits on clothes stains, especially school uniforms!
White vinegar helps with baking soda……………Spray some Lavender to refresh smell.
Eucalyptus oil to remove sticky substances ,,,
Spray cheap hairspray over the surface of your outdoor tablecloths, cushions etc. Spills can then be wiped away with a paper towel and the hairspray will come out easily in the wash.
BiCarb Soda and Vinegar. Make a paste, put on stain! Wait and vaccum when dry! Great for smells too.
baby wipes have always done the trick for us with spills on our carpets, baking soda does well too!
Get on to it quickly! Don’t leave it for later/tomorrow/next week/never. If you move fast you’ll have better success (& blot, don’t rub!)
Sard stain remover stick is amazing. works well with red lipstick!
White wine vinegar seems to work on many things…including red wine stains.
Bicarb soda will help pull throw up stains out of carpets and fabric couches, unfortunately with our lil family including a queasy cat we learnt this only too well!
To remove an oil stain simply use ordinary dish washing liquid- just a little drop on the stain and rub it in until it goes white, then rinse it off with some vinegar and wash in the machine as usual. It really works! I also find that Omo ultimate is great for getting out a lot of tough stains.
I love using a magic sponge to get rid of pencil & black scuff marks from the wall
Always test any solution/detergent on an inconspicuous area of carpet prior to treating a stain.
Bi carb soda is great on carpets, red wine, coffee or chocolate.
I like to mix lemon juice, dishwashing liquid and warm water together, before applying it to juice stains in the carpet. Then just pat it dry with a white cloth. It really works.
Bicarbonate soda and vinegar. Make into a paste and spread it over. Then let it dry and vacuum it off. Works for lots of things
I use morning heaps of morning fresh with a toothbrush it works a treat and nice smell. Also eucalyptus oil get blue pen out also.
Always gently lift off the bulk of the mud with a broad bladed knife and if possible let the rest dry. [NEVER USE water on dried mud as it only makes it soak into carpet.] When dry simply vacuum. All gone!
Wipe up what i can, then apply a mixture of bi carb soda mixed with vinegar, let it dry then vacuum it off, i find that it works with lots of things that get spilt.
I like using baking soda and vinegar to remove stains. Its natural and effective. 🙂
hands…. food colour etc. A baking soda and water paste. Pub in gently, works a treat. Rinse with vinegar and repeat if necessary
Tried all the suggestions above, below etc etc! My usual last step is turn over the rug!
Walls – magic eraser. Nothing beats it! Carpet – nothing beats getting to the problem asap! Never leave it til later!
My top tip is ……. call my mum , she always knows how to get rid of stains.
Sard wonder soap and the magic eraser. EVERY TIME!
Treating a stain quickly will make it easier to remove.
Turmeric Stains! Toughest of them all. A tablespoon of bicarb mixed with juice of half a lemon and a good squeeze of detergent. Mix all together and then rub onto the stain and leave for a good 30-45 minutes. Repeat if needed & rinse. Works a treat for those bright yellow turmeric stains!
Baking Soda with a little vinegar is fabulous, once dry, Baking soda sprinkled on the carpet with a few drops of your favourite essential oil as a a carpet deoderiser and freshner…. luv Baking soda 🙂
Whitening toothpaste on laminate benches will remove most stubborn stains. Failing that it’s best not to let your husband leave his spanners lying around where they could get wet and rusty 🙂
soda water seems to work with red wine and coffee stains too
pour on and blot with paper towel removes the stain for you
Gumption fixes everything
Sugar water is fantastic cleans anything off the walls like a breeze!!
We use Eucalyptus oil mixed with warm-hot water to get stains out of carpet, the fabric couch… And good old wonder soap for most stains on clothing.
Pat stain with damp cloth soaked in white vinegar
Don’t eat food in other rooms keep it at the kitchen table ,saves getting stains on carpet .
With 2 small kids and a dog it is impossible to keep your carpets and rugs clean all the time – having a carpet that is easy to clean is the ideal solutions – unless you want to glad wrap your entire house.
Eucalyptus oil in bucket to clean tiled or wooden floors, disinfects and cleans beautifully. Also works a treat at getting stains out of clothing, put a capful in the rinse cycle and it cleans clothing while also cleaning the washing machine.
Baby Wipes are the best stain removal, they remove everything
Depending on the stain. I do love a good scrub and or soak! Seems to always do the trick!
Getting to it as soon as possible and a scrub with some anti-bac dish detergent usually does the trick for me!
I know facial wipes are great for removing smudged eye make up.
Bicarbonate soda is great for numerous stains
Baking soda is your best choice to quickly clean vomit or urine stains from your carpet. Wipe up what you can, then pour baking soda over the affected area and pat with a paper towel. Let the homemade mixture dry completely before vacuuming up the residue.
Prevention tip. If my kids would like something other than water to drink, the glass/cup has to stay on the kitchen bench and be drunk there. Any spills are then easy to wipe as it is over tiles.
To remove red wine stains,pour cool water over the stain, sprinkle with salt. When the salt turns pink pour boiling water over the stain and allow it to sit until stain is lifted and wash as usual!
simply dishwashing detergent and baking soda – It’s my ultimate stain remover that actually works on seriously set in stain.
For old stuck in stains sprinkle some baking soda over the stain, then squeeze some lemon juice over the baking soda, work mixture into stain with a scrubbing brush & leave to completely dry……then vacuum.
Deodorant or sweat stains are the ‘pits’! (hahaha, see what I did there?) A 2:1 solution of White Vinegar and water left to soak overnight should take care of it. And if any has turned white clothes slightly yellow, just coat with a paste of baking soda and let sit overnight then rinse the spot with White vinegar.
Baking soda and lemon juice! Always does the trick and the lemon gives a refreshing scent – added bonus! Thank you for the opportunity to win tho fabulous rug!! 🙂
GEt it quickly
Morning fresh dishwashing liquid on almost everything. If ther is. Some stain to soak up I do it first with bicarbonate soda.
The calcified scum around taps, I soak a cloth in vinegar and soak the area for about an hour and depending how long the scum has been there depends on how easy it wipes off. I use vinegar for many other stains around the house too.
Turps removes greasy/fatty stains from clothing if you dab it on and then wash as normal!
Eucalyptus Oil will remove even thick grease from your carpets, just don’t use too much. Dab lightly and you’ll be amazed.
I spot clean the carpet with just warm water and an old towel, it works really well if you get to the stain straight away.
Letting stains soak overnight. I use bi carb soda and it’s fantastic
Definitely bicarb soda
It’s amazing how great make-up wipes can be. They remove lots of stains and no wonder lots of clothing shops use them for make-up stains off clothes.
Bicarbonate soda is a great idea instead of expensive powders. Just sprinkle, leave for a while the vacuum.
Hairspray great for pen/texta marks on shirts. Spray pen marks on shirts with hairspray, rub spot and it should come out. If not spray with hairspray, rub spot and put into wash!!
Bi carb soda works a treat on most things for me .. Make a paste and leave till dry and vacuum up
I have poured white wine over a red wine stain and the red disappeared. This worked on the table cloth as well as the carpet. Worked a treat. Then I neutralized the area with Soda water dabbing and taking up the moisture.
I use vanish spot on liquid on any stains we have and leave it on the stain for an hour then put it in the wash and it is as good as new
Grease from clothes, heat up the grease with an iron pile baby powder ( just the cheap stuff) put a piece of material over the powder and iron like mad. Leave for 15 mins for the powder to soak up the grease. Iron again to loosen it and then wash you may have to do a couple of times. But it has saved a few of my favourite shirts after a BBQ.
My best tip…dont drink wine near the carpet or let kids in your house…..ever!
My tip…..spilt something nasty on your favorite heels? Buy some more. You can never have too many shoes 🙂
Gum, many stains on clothes and carpets can be removed using eucalyptus oil – either in the spray can form or just using the oil itself (soak it onto a cloth first and then rub onto the stain.)
I’ve used eucalyptus oil to get dried milo out of the carpet many times! (cold milk and milo from hubby – although it wasn’t always him who spilled it, sometimes it was my then 18 month old daughter!)
I love the tips in the article too!
My 18 month old drew on the walls of our old house – pen and permanent marker – which I got mostly off. But when we put the house on the market to sell, hubby and his cousin took the last option – repaying the house!!
My eldest daughter (the same one who at 18 months helped spill milo multiple times and drew on the walls) is now 5 and playing soccer. Will have to remember the grass stain removal one!
PS we now keep all pens, textas, etc well out of reach of little people! (Miss 5 now has a little sister – miss 3 – and little brother – master 6 months! Learned our lesson with those! Especially as we’re renting now and repainting the house isn’t really an option!
spray stain with hairspray before washing
Best tip is when you need to find out how to remove something specific – look it up on the internet pronto- don’t make it worse by acting before researching!
For wax stains use brown paper laid down first and a warm iron. The paper will soak up the wax keep repeating until no more wax is prevalent on the paper.
Bye bye mould with neat bleach! My favourite!
To freshen up floorboard scratches, rub some Vaseline over them & they disappear!
If your saucepan or pot is burnt on the inside and you have scrubbed it and with no luck still there. Get toothpaste and smudge it on and scrub with a heavy duty scrubber. It will clean and polish back to new.
Talcum Powder is an alternative product if you don’t have any cornflour.
An altrernative for burnt saucepans, stockpots etc is to stew rhubarb in it. My Auntie often used it.
I always keep club sodaon hand in the pantry so if a mishap happens during mealtime I get on top of it straight away 🙂
Most spills (including coffee) on the carpet can be treated immeadiately with boiling water and blot with hand towel. Works a treat, and no need to mix messy chemicals.
Those annoying sticky labels on everything!! ..eucalyptus oil.
Woolwash seems to work well with most stains
My first go to when there is a stain is to soak the item in White Vinegar, has worked great every time.
To remove pen marks from a sheepskin jacket, I used an alcohol swab. No risk of saturating and because the jacket couldn’t be washed – found this was the best method. It worked wonderfully well.
Always keep a bucket of soaker in the laundry to put white and baby clothes in straight away for a soaking, changing regularly when you take clothes out to wash. Soak any clothes with mould on the for three days making sure to scrub a wet paste of nappy San on the clothes with each individual soak
1. Open back door
2. Pick up offending children/pets
3. Deposit offending children/pets outside
4. Close the back door
5. Place coffee table over stain in rug
6. Return to lounge to watch Game of Thrones
Pen on fabric sofa (kids love it better than paper for some reason) i use vinegar and baking soda & circular motion with cloth/ clean sponge.
My favourite for getting off sticky substances and removing crayon from walls is orange oil. Breaks down sticky and leaves a great smell in the air. Just wipe over with a damp cloth afterwards.
my kids think that crayons equals masterpieces on the walls in the kitchen, rubbing white bread over the stains will help get them off
Baby wipes clean everything. They remove felt tip pen from fabric, they dust the home and car. They clean kids. They are a cheap invaluable item that a keep at least one packet wherever I go.
A few amazing natural remedies for various stains are: Bicarb, vinegar, eucalyptus oil & orange oil! No need for nasty chemicals at all 🙂
got perspiration stains or odor on your clothes – then rub a past of baking soda into the area before washing (if stains are bad leave the paste to remain on their for a couple of hours before washing.
I use lemon juice and bicarb for most of the stains, it seems to work!
Remove pen marks with nail polish remover.
Permanent marker on whiteboard – go over with whiteboard marker and wipe off immediately.
Waterstains on stainless steel or dark stone bench – use “magic eraser” type of melamine sponge.
Dishwashing liquid is the best for the removal of cooking oil from clothing. It is made for the removal of grease etc from dishes and works wonderfully in the same way on your clothes. I hate it when oil splatters!
White vinegar and baking soda – key to everything
Remove blood, red wine, coffee from carpets – wet stain then mound with salt or bicarb, allow to dry then vacuum, repeat if necessary
For play-doh in carpet ; Don’t use hot water or any detergents etc. Wait until completely dry and then brush with a stiff bristled brush and vacuum.
We find Jif pretty good for Caesarstone benchtops
Clean the spill immediately, saves a lot of heartache and money trying to fix it later.
I love nappy san for soaking whites and any of my toddlers clothes
vinegar and bicarb are my go to for stains and grease
Bleach of course is the best however if it needs to be used on colours go with the good ol’ wife’s trick of bi-carb soda, it’s natural, cheap and works wonders on everything.
Paste of bicarb and water, leave it for a while then spray with vinegar, then clean off with water after it’s bubbled.
dry shampoo spray it your stain leave it for 10 minutes and vacuum off cleans most marks
Prevention being better than cure. Waterproof spray all fabric furniture prior to use.
The tip my late Nan shared with me, to use a cheap, generic brand of all purpose cleaner (spray and wipe type product) as a pre-wash stain remover on clothing. Works a treat.
My stain removal tip is homemade spray (bicarbonate , white vinegar and lemon juice ). It needs take several times to remove stains but it is Eco- Friendly homemade product and chemical free.
I clean raspberry lemonade spills with a hot mop dipped in dish detergent and eucalyptus oil, wrung out then mop and repeat the method, I have found this invaluable as my husband was continually dropping these drinks and this was the only way to keep the carpet clean.
Baking soda, vinegar and an old toothbrush is a godsend for removing stains from carpet and rugs.
MUM – can you help me get this stain out!
I always go to Google and hope there is a solution on the Net.
White vinegar/water and paper towelling, removes odours too.
Tree sap on the kids pants from climbing trees? Sponge the sap on the clothing with antibacterial hand gel or vodka if you have some on hand… works a treat everytime!
Mum
Baking Soda and Vinegar works wonders!
Baking soda and vinegar. Use some lavender oil to make it smells nice!
Baby Wipes get lots of different stains out, but is especially good for food and drinks.
Electro dry
My last stain ended up with carpet being replaced through insurance. Don’t let tradies work near your brand new carpet that suddenly became discontinued!
Eucalyptus oil is good for blu-tac, or my favourite idea is if i can’t remove it first go just cover the stain with a rug (or furniture) – it’s removed instantly from my sight then.
Remove stains as soon as possible is my mum’s tip to remove all stains.
Bubble gum on clothing- just pop the clothing/item with the bubble gum/chewing gum in a bag with gum exposed (not folded in) in the freezer. Wait a couple of hours and the gum will be frozen, and will peel straight off!!!
How gorgeous were those rugs by the way!!!!
To remove calcium build up in your kettle add 2 tablespoons citric acid, 1 litre vinegar then top with cold water. Leave overnight and rinse well. Sparkling kettle will be ready to go!
White wine to be poured ASAP on red wine stains, works wonderfully but try not to waste a quality white wine this way:)
Always carry baby bums wipes with you. They get so many stains out (god knows what they do to bubs botts) and if you have them on you, you’re always armed to removed most stains
Wash stain as soon as you can to avoid it soaking in
I keep white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. It’s perfect for fast cleanups. Pat stain with paper towel, spray stain lightly, then pat again with fresh paper towel. Quick, cheap and easy
To remove a spill from carpet, cover with layers of paper towel and stand on them! This will absorb as much moisture as possible. Then Google for the appropriate stain removal method!
Pet pee from a rug, I soak up the urine with paper towels, spray with a 50/50 mixture of vinegar and water until soaked. Let it dry, then pour bicarbonate soda, leave for a half hour then vacuum.
Take the soiled garment to Nanna’s house immediately!
The best way to avoid stains is chosen easy cleaning carpets from Carpet Court and removing stains as soon as possible.Mum Central website has great tips to remove stains. I love it.
Clean it up as soon as possible before that stain sets!
Baking Soda and White Vinegar will lift stains on kitchen benches, from stainless appliances, bathroom tiles and grout, toilets and almost any other hard surface you can think of.
Never use hot water on blood stains – only cold.
To remove old blood stains, rub over stains with raw lemon and squeeze as much juice as you can on them. Leave for about 1/2 an hour. Mix up a paste of vanish and water and spread over the stains. Leave for 15 minutes. Finally soak in warm water and detergent. Launder in the usual way. Bingo. When I TOOK the articles off the line no stains.
napisan! it does more than just nappies..use as a paste and is great for a whole range or fabric/carpet stains
Make sure your children are completely coated in bubble-wrap and kept in a cage 🙂
Act quick. Don’t wait to deal with it would be my tip!
U-Tube is my best friend, I always find tips from U-Tube.
I use vinegar it is amazing on tough stains.
For oily spot on clothes, I use hand dishwashing soap. A little drop on the stain before doing the laundry usually get rid of the it.
For removing coffee from carpet (there are always spills when kids run around) Baking soda and soda water – work in it gently with fingers, pat with damp cloth to withdraw the stain then pad dry.
To clean wax off carpets, gently scratch as much off as you can, then place a sheet of baking paper over the remaining wax and melt with an iron. You can then soak up the melted wax with a cloth or paper towel.
To remove fresh stains from clothes, spray with napi san, then soak in a sink with hot water for the night.
Call me an avoider; but Mr 7 and Miss 5 would rather get around naked (in jocks/ knickers) hence avoiding 90% of washing/ stain removal required. For everything else I use a home made, natural concoction of Liquid Dish Detergent, Glycerin, and water.
Tea tree oil anf eucalyptus oil on my kitchen. Newspaper and water on my streak free windows. Bicarb on my carpets an bed. Microfiber cloths on walls and doors. Stay natural all i do ✌
Eucalyptus oil works a treat with trying to get rid of grime
and fingerprints or marks on the wall and smells divine!
Sard works wonders on wine-stained engineered-stone benchtops
Using a Detergent Solution – One teaspoonful of gentle detergent for washing woollens, to half a 0.3 litre of warm water. Always work from the outside of the stain inward to avoid spreading and use a hairdryer to assist in drying the damp area.
For marker stains on clothes and certain teddies such as beanie kids soak them in Milk and put in the freezer for 24 hours.
Use the power of the sun! It will bleach out lots of marks, especially tomato based stains.
Baking soda and white vinegar, and I always soak whites for a minimum of 9 hours with the addition of some nappisan
For fat, oil or wax place a paper towel over the carpet and iron on warm setting, they should come up off the carpet and stick to the paper towel.
Get it soaking straight away
Red Wine. Salt and lots of it while it is still wet. Let the salt soak up the wine until it is just this side of damp, then vacuum. Then spray some carpet cleaning foam. Press with damp cloth, until stain has gone. Do not rub r scrub the carpet fibres. Brush out when dry.
My 3 little treasures love to play with slime,let me tell you green slime on cream carpet …not happy.Found that white vinegar works a treat only downfall makes the room smell like fish and chips
Blot with paper towel to remove excess moisture before applying stain remover product
Love homemade cleaning products and positive attitude are my tip for removing all mass . I am enjoying to read comments . I am happy and thank you.
My stain removing tip is to use bicarbonate soda on carpet, let it soak in and vacuum up!
Having kids, there are always accidents. For fizzy drink stains, I swear by a dishwashing liquid and water mixture to rid the stain. Soak up with paper towel and let dry. Use carpet shampoo if needed after dry.
I use salt to soak up any spills on the carpet
I would use baking soda to form a paste for my shirts.
baking soda is an oldie but a goodie!
Remove pen from leather using hairspray.
Salt on a beetroot stain then wash as normal.
Has to be white vinegar.
Cleans just above anything and just a little goes a long way..
Shaving cream is great for red wine on carpet ☺
To remove permanent marker trace over with whiteboard marker
For dog wee (yep, we had a dog with a weak bladder), my mum used to put a towel over it when it was wet, and stood on it, to draw up as much wetness as possible, then sprinkle corn flour over the stain to draw up the rest. Then vacuum it up when dry. No stains.
Makeup can be removed in a pinch with some washing powder mixed with makeup remover!
Bicarbonate soda and white vinegar are age old stain removal treatments that combined will do the trick at removing any stain.
Gumption is my product of choice. It is quick strong on products so make sure you dilute with plenty of water
I love magic sponges, they have removed black marks of the walls, cleaned my stainless steal, removed grease off exhaust fan and make my kitchen shine
If chewing gum gets tracked onto the carpet, cover with ice cubes in a sealed bag. Once hardened, scrape off with the back of a blunt knife
When kids vomit on carpet put talc powder over to help soak up and then its easier to vaccum.or clean also helps mask the smell
Spray stains on rugs or carpet with White Vinegar. Place a towel over the top, put your iron onto the highest steam setting, then iron the stain right out.
Use Milton tablets to remove stains and odours from non-metallic kitchen utensils. Perfect for removing scratch marks from Corningware as well.
Toothpaste makes stainless steel sparkle. Removes all calcium and water stains
Happy Mother’s Day everyone, your are amazing. Love these beautiful people’s ideas.
Sugar soap is great for kitchen oils and cupboard fronts.
Pouring table salt on a broken egg will make it solidify making it much easier to scrap up and wipe away
Miracle Spray – Washing Soda Vinegar Eucalyptus oil and water – No nasty chemicals and works a treat on everything!
Don’t forget your toothbrush – it’s perfect for getting into
tricky corners & scrubbing any tough stain – do not re-use on your teeth!?
A little sprinkle of bicarb and white vinegar gets out everything!!!! 🙂
Pat spill on carpet to soak up as much as possible. Make a paste wish washing powder and water. Put paste on spill and give light scrub. Clean off with a cloth and water. Repeat till clean as possible
Use white towels, place one underneath if the stain is on a rug, blot rather than rub and repeat treatment rather than over-soaking.
On clothes I start with Sunlight soap and scrub, if that doesn’t work I move onto a paste made of Napisan and water.
The artificial sweetener always helps in ‘blotting out’ oily, greasy stains on clothing by effectively absorbing and breaking down the oil, thereby making it easier to wash the stains off later!
To remove makeup off fabric-makeup remover foam wash.
Baby wipes are the BEST! I find they quickly remove a smear of who-knows-what that your beloved child has bestowed on your favourite top as you’re running out the door. Handy for more than just wiping bums!
A dash of lemon juice and a splash of lime juice with a tad of vodka, works a treat.
Baby wipes work on just about everything! You’d be surprised what stains they will get out
I just ask my mother in law- she knows everything!
Liquid hand sanitizer gets out ball point pen off couches
Eucalyptus Oil, Baby Wipes or Makeup Remover work great on a lot of things.
Try to clean it up straight away before it sets … also baby wipes & windex fix a multitude of sins!!
We have a suede lounge so whenever the kids leave marks I clean it with a baby wipe and then dry any watermarks with a towel, like new every time.
Bi Carb and Vinegar for a foaming action stain remover, and it’s pretty cool to watch too like a little science experiment 😉
Having grown up in an ethnic family I think their best stain removal tip still stands – cover all furniture in plastic, permanently!!!
I love DIY solutions. Vinegar is always a winner. Add a but of salt and dab at the stain. For tougher stains use equal amounts of vinegar and cornstarch, let dry, then vacuum.
Bicarb and vinegar is the solution to all my problems!
If permanent marker is used where it’s not supposed to be used is Aerogard it will wipe off may need a little scrubbing if its been in place for a long time.
With 2 kids playing with playdoh which drops on the carpet and is then happily trodden on as well as foods – such as avocado, I’m dealing with mess all day! I like to sprinkle some napisan on the stains, brush it in with a little water and wait an hour. I use either an old toothbrush or dustpan brush depending on the size of the stain. After the hour is up, vacuum for a clean, stain free carpet!
I create and use a homemade carpet cleaner by mixing 3 tablespoons of white vinegar to 2 cups of water, a little salt and eucalyptus oil.
Vinegar< i use it for so many things from cleaning stains off benches to putting in the dishwasher to freshen 🙂
Water, bit of white vinegar and some fabric softener, treat the spill as soon as possible.
When wall scrapes look like a re-painting job, try cream cleaner first. Gets rid of most stains and scrapes with ease!
Some really great tips here! Vinegar seems to fix everything in my house
Bicarb and vinegar works for everything!love it
Also babywipes for quick stain cleanups
Tea or coffee spilt on carpet. This really works. Pour some beer over the stain and blot out. Easy.
Get to the stain fast. It seeps in really quickly.
I always use Napisan for clothes and Chux Magic Erasers for marks on walls.
salt on stain as quick as possible to soak it up, brush away and clean with good carpet cleaner not rubbing just dabbing
Don’t have kids! You’ll find that your home remains pristine, stain-free and clean for life! Then again…they are pretty fun to have around (kids, not stains)
Soak blood stains in coca cola over night, it actually works!
For clothing I make a paste out of napisan and water and put it on the stain and let it soak for 30 minutes and put it in the wash.
My mum always says to wash bloodied clothes with warm water as cold shocks the fabric and blood turns to a permanent stain.
By pure chance, I’ve recently discovered Soda Water as a great stain remover! As soon as you realise there is a spill, (coffee, coke etc), pour a small amount of soda water on the stain and rub with a dry cloth, works for me every time!
I learned some new stains remove tips today. I think that the Mum Central is my best friend now.
To eliminate water marks on a timber surface use toothpaste!
When you have a whole lot of laundry to soak, soak it in the bathtub with some Nappisan – it leaves the bathtub sparkling clean as well as the laundry!
Coconut oil, eucalyptus oil and corn starch does wonders! Coconut oil takes out most stains from tiles whereas eucalyptus oil takes out makeup stains and corn starch takes out most carpet stains!
I recommend the Vanish products such as Napisan and Preen….they remove practically any stain….be it on clothing or carpet or wherever….it even works on those tough ground in stains
I’m a huge fan of Napisan in the wash 🙂 Gets out most stains so easily!
Sour milk on ink stains – leave the lumpy milk over the stain for 20-30 mins and then wash as normal. It’s some sort of sorcery.
Vinegar on a urine stain on the couch, (2 yo toddler) then bicarbonate soda on the stain overnight then vacuum up in the morning – good as new!
Paper towel is your best friend when it comes to removing stains on a carpet or rug! Blot up as much of the spillage you can before it dries and then treat appropriately ♥
White vinegar is the best. Ever tried it for cleaning out your iron? Use Diluted solution with water in the water part of the iron and push through with steam – so much calcium build up comes out. Quite amazing.
I’ve used talc powder on blood stains before and it worked a treat, so stain to be seen!
I get ink off my clothes using hairspray! It’s absolute genius 😀
Never let a blood stain dry – cover it with liquid detergent and let sit for an hour or so before rinsing it under cold water until the stain eventually disappears.
Vinegar and bicarbonate soda and hot water mixed removes stains from and cleans benches windows clothes curtains
Get it out of the house…and into the sun.
Bicarb works on so many stains
Good old fashioned soak & put it out in the sunshine! Works wonders for light stains on clothing & gets rid of stains on cloth nappies too!
Never remove a stain by rubbing only dab the area that has been affected.
For vomit I blanket the stain in bi-carb soda and leave it to dry. Soaks up all the mess, once dry it can be swept or vacuumed up, and no nasty smell left behind.
A paste of Napisan worked into a spot stain works wonders and if not, the carpet manufacturer’s own product. Cavalier Bremworth’s is excellent.
I dab vodka on red lipstick stains and what do you know it works wonders and all comes off!!
Windex is my best friend when it comes to removing carpet stains (and no, I’m not Greek haha!). Liberally spray stain with windex until quite wet then rub stain gently with an old towel. Stain should transfer to the towel. Repeat with another clean towel. Next, spray with small amount of water and place clean towel over it. Pat/stand on towel until water absorbed. Done! You’re welcome 🙂
Vinegar works a treat, just use it gently.
The best way to remove ink stains in coloured clothing is to soak it up overnight in a milk bath. Clean it using the washing machine the next day and watch the ink instantly go away!
In order to remove stains from my carpet I always use the following three step process:
1. Immediately blot up as much of the spill as possible
2. Spray the stain with a cleaning agent
3. Blot up the stain with a clean white cloth
Bicarb soda is awesome on so many stains!
WE LOVE BETROOT SALADS.. But, It’s a mess when one gets away on the carpet!!
My tip –
First of all..
Dab the stain with a dry cloth to remove any excess liquid.
Soak a clean sponge in cold water & Hold it on the stain.
Then blot with a dry cloth and repeat.
For stubborn stains –
Mix 2 tablespoons of dishwashing liquid with 2 cups of water and try the sponging and blotting technique.
Removing urine from carpet (dog)
Get a glass of water and pour over puddle.
Get a thick towel and a really heavy book- place towel over puddle and pop heavy book on top.
Urine and water is absorbed into towel which stops it from puddling on the underlay- also completely removes smell!
Water and vinegar removes just about all stains and lift odor
To brighten yellowed white… add a couple of cups of white vinegar in the load. I often put it into the fabric softener dispenser and on top of the clothes. Wash on the hottest setting the care labels allow and hang in the sun for a day to dry.
For whites, soak and wash and then hang on the line, sunshine will make it disappear!
Vinegar and bicarbonate are the best ingredients to remove most of stains and odour.
This one is for the toilet. Just empty a can of cola in to the bowl. Leave it for an hour then scrub with toilet brush. Flush. Sparkling bowl no harsh nasty chemicals! It’s enough to put your kids off drinking cola thoughi!
bicarb and eucalyptus oil works on most stains.
Hairspray ink stains on clothes before washing and this will lift the stain out.
Spray the stain and then use the steamer nozzle on your coffee machine to erase the stain. It’s saved many treasured item of clothing.
Add eucalyptus oil to your laundry load its a great stain remover and makes the washing smell great .
Soda water on wine stains
For mould spots on clothes, make a paste of vanish gold and leave if for a few hours, then wash. It certainly works
Whatever the stain is treat it with whatever’s recommended as soon as the stain is noticed, the longer you leave it the more it sets.
Use a toothbrush and baking soda water paste to remove stains from textiles, rugs, tile grout..the list goes on!
Plain yellow laundry soap and a toothbrush gets out lots of stains and its cheap and economical too
Ink stains on clothing, Cheap hair spray, spray it on then chuck it in the washer. Couldn’t believe it worked.
Methylated Spirits remove very stubborn stains like grass, ink, lipstick, wine, make up, berries and grass!
Bicarb with vinegar and eucalyptus oil is great for removing stains. The eucalyptus oil also has antibacterial properties, so it’s great for clothes that have encountered vomit or poop explosions!
White vinegar works a treat on diamonds! Soak your bling and rings for a solid 20 mins, then rinse – guaranteed top sparkle factor!
get on the stain, straight away!
My puppy did her business on my new Jute rug, understandably I was super worried about cleaning this type of rug. I hosed as much off then used a combination of warm soapy water followed with a paste made from baking soda and vinegar. After a gentle scrub the stains and smell was gone!
I make a paste with napisan on the tuff tuff stains and leave it soak and this helps keeps the kids clothes clean and stain free.
Another fan of the vinegar and baking soda combo here! Cheap, easy and effective.
Blot the stain while it is fresh – do not rub, especially not vigorously
Baby Wipes. A necessity when you have kids no matter what age. They are great at removing stains from just about any surface.
Warm water and a few drops of Eucalyptus oil, it works on fabric couches and carpet.
Terribly embarrassed on first date,
Spilt red wine, not looking great!
Soda water however worked a treat,
Applied with a damp cloth… SWEET!
Hire one of those steam cleaner machines from a supermarket and do a wonderful job with it yourself.
Bicarbsoda and vinegar made into a paste, great for tile grout, around the stove, spills and wipes clean easily.
Eucalyptus oil is amazing for removing glue residue or anything sticky. I also use it to get stains out of carpet, it’s amazing! And it smells great too!
Recently, during brief stay in hospital; helped nurses clean up pen-ink stain, from fabric – using just pure water, and grit. What a hit!!!
To get makeup or other hard stains off clothes without having to wash the whole thing-use a dab of dishwashing liquid and a bit of water and gently rub
I have found that spray and wipe sprayed onto a stain and then scrubbed off can work magic on stubborn stains.
I like to use hairspray, because i always have a bottle hiding somewhere in the house and it really does work. If i find a stain now i just grab my hairspray, apply it to the stain, and wipe with a paper towel, and it is as good as new. Quick, simple and perfect for me
For red wine stains in carpet dilute with soda water then soak up with an old towel.
For oil, wine and sauces I use cheap shampoo diluted in water mixed with bicarbonate soda. Works great!
Use apple cider vinegar for mold on walls. cleaning Vinegar and bicar down a smelly bathroom drain will get rid of soap build up and the smell.
Spray & Wipe gets rid of most stains and smells, even on fabric and carpet.
I pour a liquid eucalyptus detergent on the stain then go over it with my carpet shampooer, works a treat. 🙂
For old oil stain on cloth, I use detergen paste and put it on the oil circle. Leave it for a few hours and rinse with warm water. Repeat if still visible.
My cleaning tip is polishing the vents of your air conditioner with car polish, buffing off then for years to come it’s so simple to wipe the grime from the plastic rather than scrubbing at it and having the grime soak into the plastic and dicolouring it.
Very soiled white pants with chocolate smoothie – soaked in Nappisan white then washed. Stain came right out.
With triplets, the best stain removal trip I have is baby wipes, bicarb spray, vinegar and patience!
My 2 year old always draw on my walls! The magic eraser block seems to do the trick without removing the paint.
Baby wipes get most things off clothes
For wine spilt on carpet simply throw down a folded towel and stomp on it with your feet. The towel absorbs the spill and it magically disappears. We’ve used this with any spilt drink
For red wine stain on carpet pour white whine on it immediately. Sounds crazy but the bleach in the white will ensure you’re not left with red on carpet. then just pour salt on top to draw out he moisture.
Baby wipes!! Just enough moisture that generally helps!
When doing my washing i always add a cap full of napisan with my washing powder. Hubby clothes are always covered in stains (the joys of being a farmer!) and his clothes alwasy come up clean
I love to use steam machine cleaning stains but I need to check fabric care , just in case.
For Oil, Wax or Fat: just lay a paper towel over the carpet then iron on a warm setting. Watch as the oil, fat and wax are absorbed by the paper towel and lift off the carpet.
For high gloss tiles use boiling hot water and white vinegar to prevent streaking and mop marks!
I wish back up was around years ago! I have got an Enjo glove for the shower. That keeps my lovely white wavy tiles in pristine condition!
Until I had kids I never realised how amazing baby wipes are! They are my first option for all stains and 9 times out of 10 they work!
Baby wipes! For everything walls, floors, couches and carpet. Add some spray and wipe for tougher stains. Or tea tree oil to get of the smell of wee.
I love the fizz of bicarb soda and vinegar. It’s not only fun, it gets rid of everything from bath grime to terminal buildup on a car battery.
Baby wipes
With an grease or oil stain in clothing, spray it with WD40 then scrub a bi-carb soda paste into it. Then put it straight into the wash. Not a sign of it again. Oil stains be gone.