Tips, Tricks & "How To's" for Common Household Cleaning & Stain Removal

Routine cleaning can be difficult enough without the hassles of staining spills on the carpet or getting Super Glue stuck to our skin! Don't panic! Benefit from these helpful hints to assist with such universally familiar setbacks, everyday cleaning, and tips for when it may be time to hire a professional.

Before beginning any cleaning task, always remember a few important rules of thumb: Start the process of removing any stain as soon as you notice it. The longer the stain sits and sets, the longer it may make it more difficult to remove. Always blot wet stains first (being careful not to increase the stained spot) and for dry spills (such as tobacco ashes) vacuum the spot using a tube attachment. Using that attachment will help to avoid spreading the stain or grinding it deeper into the carpet. It is also helpful to use a tape roll to remove excess debris. Additionally, you should perform a test spot in a non-conspicuous spot before treating, especially carpeting and furniture.

Removing fruit juice, wine and other colored liquid from carpeting...

Situations like this can be quite annoying but you must be patient. Some stains may take repetitive attempts before a successful outcome, so do not give up right away.

Mix 1/2 teaspoon of dishwashing soap or fine fabric detergent into one cup of warm water. Apply a small amount of the mixture to the stain and blot. Keep repeating until the stain is gone. It is best to use a light colored towel(s) to blot so you can see the as the soiled area disappears. Then, cover the stain with a dry towel and press down to absorb the liquid. Once the stain is fully gone, rinse with cold water and blot dry as much as possible. I have often used the product "Oxi Clean" for many stain removals with successful results.

Going crazy over Crazy Glue?

You didn't mean to glue your fingers together, did you? As careful as I always try to be, I always seem to get super glue on my fingers! Whether you get the superglue on your skin or anywhere else by mistake, you can use some nail polish remover or Acetone and it will remove it without pain. Wash the area with a mild soap after word to avoid any possible irritation or drying out of the skin.

Removing tape adhesive from painted surface...

Did you know that WD40 has more uses than just to lubricate that squeaky door hinge? In fact, it has many uses.
After a test spot, you can spray WD40 on your cotton rag and apply to tape adhesive. Let the WD40 soak in first and gently rub the surface. Repeat a few times but be careful not to scrub too hard and damage the paint. Use a solvent or paint thinner only as a last resort. However, be aware that you may damage and/or remove the paint using the solvent. Clean the spot when finished. WD40 is also good for removing stickers, sticky residue (such as the price tag stuck to the glass of a picture frame,) crayon marks, and gum. On a personal note, I removed ink splatters from numerous areas of my kitchen floor using WD40 after my dog decided to chew up an ink pen. I simply sprayed a small amount to each spot and lightly scrubbed them for no longer than a few seconds because it came right out. If you use this method, be sure to clean the floor right away because obviously, WD40 and other products such as "Goo Be Gone") are lubricants. You don't want you or anyone else to accidentally slide across the floor like an ice skating rink!

Computer printers

If you have ink smudges in the printer, you can safely use a soft cloth and alcohol or alcohol pads. Use cotton swabs for hard to reach areas. Avoid purchasing poor quality ink cartridges or refillable cartridges. Check the printer manual to be certain you don't damage the machine because there are certain parts you should never touch, such as the belt and electrical contacts on bubble jet printers.

Candle wax drippings... We've ALL experienced this!

To begin with, the best advice is to remove as many large portions of wax as possible and then depending on the surface, there are a few approaches to attempt. If you have a candlestick of any kind, the first method is to freeze the wax by literally placing the item into the freezer. Once it is frozen, pick (or peal) off the wax. Personally, I have used this system many times and it has always worked perfectly! However, I don't recommend freezing glass, as it may crack in the freezer. I have also used the method of holding the item under very hot, running water to loosen the wax. Without allowing the wax to cool, use a butter knife to scrape away the wax. If the item is small, such as a candleholder or a vase, you can try lining the bottom of the item with aluminum foil and set your oven temperature to 160 degrees. Place the item upside down over the foil and allow it to sit for an hour. Then remove it and allow it to cool. Wash it with regular dish detergent in your dishwasher on a regular setting but using hot water in order to remove any remaining debris.

For wax stuck to fabrics and carpets, you can use a warm iron and an old terry-cloth bath towel. Place the moistened towel directly on the wax and then place the iron over the towel. As with regular ironing jobs, do not keep iron in one spot for more than a few seconds. Keep repositioning the towel so you don't scorch it. Be certain not to scorch the surface. You can also try using a hair dryer and the same rules apply. If after removing the wax but the color remains, use the same method as you would for any other dye/color related stain. Candle dye can be permanent so a bit extra effort may be necessary.

Tending to Eucalyptus

Many households have vases or other décor containing eucalyptus. A very common type is the eucalyptus wreath or arranged stalks. The inviting fragrance is wonderful. However, eucalyptus can get dusty and age just as many other home décor items. However, you may not know that you could simply take your eucalyptus and run it under cool kitchen faucet water (or even the bath water or shower.) Will that method, it will not only rid it of dust, it will also renew the eucalyptus fragrance back to the first day you got it! After rinsing, lightly blot with a towel and allow the rest of the wetness to air dry.

Quick hair and dirt removal

When we are time crunched or have visitors coming over within minutes, it is common to discover dog hair or other miscellaneous debris lining the baseboards or behind the door in the bathroom. Those are perfect examples of locations often forgotten during routine cleaning. Don't panic. If there is no time to grab the vacuum or the hand vac is uncharged, grab a roll of tape and run it along the problem area. Any type of household tape will work and your dilemma is fixed in seconds!

Avoid more dust bunnies than you have to!

Dust is inevitable. Nevertheless, we may not realize that we could be doubling our dusting workload. After dusting one piece of furniture and moving on to dust the next, we may be causing dust in the air or from the next piece back onto the surface we just cleaned! This is especially common when using feather dusters. Feather dusters are helpful when dusting blinds, the tops of pictures, and other more intricate items. On the other hand, they are actually flinging the dust particles into the air and literally only spreading the dust around the item. Keep in mind, what goes up must come down. The dust will eventually settle somewhere! Using a slightly damp rag or a dust product on a rag is the best bet. Once you have dusted a piece of furniture and plan to continue dusting elsewhere in the immediate area, place a bed sheet or lint-free towel over the clean area. Do this with each thing you clean. Leave the "covers" over the areas for at least an hour after completion of the entire job. That will allow enough time for any dust to settle; and not settle on your freshly clean surfaces. Covering surrounding items when using a feather duster is a definite aid, too.

Finding the right cleaning serviceto hire...

There are times and circumstances when we are unable to perform routine household cleaning on a regular basis. Occasionally, a one time, more thorough cleaning project may be necessary. A "move in" or "move out" cleaning may be required, yearly spring-cleaning, or even a bi-weekly or monthly cleaning may be the help we seek.
Word of mouth is one of the best ways to find a decent, trustworthy service of any kind. That type of referral is especially recommended when it comes to people entering your home. It is always unsurpassed to speak with your friends and neighbors to find someone with whom they have been or are presently satisfied. Regardless, always ask for and check references. It is imperative that they are insured and bonded.
Be specific about exactly what you need cleaned and all your expectations. Ask if they bring their own cleaning supplies and if not, find out what you need to provide. Inquire about a window of time it will take to complete the job and the entire cost.

Every so often, attempting to clean a stain out of carpeting or fabric can actually create a larger spot than the original. Such mistakes can create an unpleasant outcome. It isn't always necessary to actually hire a professional. When in doubt about how to tackle a difficult cleaning task, don't be afraid to consult a professional cleaning company for advice. Many reputable companies will be happy to offer counsel and will not focus on attempting to convince you to skip the self-treatment route and hire them to do it. They may offer their services to you, but decent professionals will offer advice first if you simply ask. Taking a little extra time to consult with a few experts may save you the heartache of a failed result and the possibility of further staining.