Category Archives for "cleaning tips"

How To Remove Coffee Stains From Your Carpets

Coffee spills are not an uncommon thing, and yet it seems that no one know exactly how to clean them. It’s very important that you act fast, otherwise the stain will get set and it will be even more difficult to get rid of it. Here is a method for cleaning a coffee stain on a carpet.

You will need some white foam shaving cream, a mild soap or a bleach-free dish detergent; some baking soda and vinegar; clean water; a spray bottle; some cloths or paper towels.

1. Act as soon as you see the spill. If it’s still fresh and wet, blot it to absorb as much of it as possible.
2. Spray the area with clean water and blot again.
3. Blot until as much coffee is removed as possible.
4. If the stain is old and dry, or the above steps don’t work, continue.
5. Apply some of the detergent or mild soap on the stain and start rubbing it in the fibres with your fingers. Don’t push down on it, this way you will push it deeper in the carpet.
6. Spray with clean water and blot again.
7. If the stain still isn’t gone, apply some foamy shaving cream and rub gently with a cloth.
8. Blot to remove it.
9. Spray with clean water and blot again to rinse.
10. If there still is some of the stain left, mix some water and baking soda to the consistency of toothpaste.
11. Apply the mix on the stain and let it dry.
12. When it has dried, vacuum it and there shouldn’t be any of the stain left.
13. If there still is, however, mix one part white vinegar and two parts water, and apply it to the stain.
14. Blot repeatedly with a cloth.
15. Rinse by spraying with clean water and blotting.
16. When all of the stain is gone, put a few paper towels on the area, and then place some heavy items on top. This will help when drawing out the liquid.
17. After a few hours, remove the towels and leave it to air dry.
18. Vacuum to restore the former texture of the fibres.

There are cleaning products made especially for removing coffee stains – for example, “Coffee stain remover” by Masterblend, or ForceOut.

If you spill some coffee, but don’t really have any time to tend to it at the moment, cover it with salt, which will absorb the coffee and make the stain easier to remove later.

If you’re trying to clean an old stain, don’t forget to moisten it before you start.

How To Clean Toner Stains From The Carpet?

When changing a cartridge, it’s not uncommon to spill some of the toner. However, cleaning them is pretty difficult. In this case, time is of the essence. If you don’t clean the stain as soon as you can, it will set and will become more difficult to clean the carpet.

For this, you will need a vacuum cleaner, some soft cloths, some water, a dry cleaning solvent, some dish washing soap, and some towels.

1. If you’ve spilled lots of toner, get a spoon and try to scoop as much of it as possible. Vacuum the rest. If you’ve spilled liquid toner, try to absorb it by blotting with a cloth.
2. When you’ve removed the loose toner, you can work on cleaning the stain.
3. Moisten a cloth with some of the dry-cleaning solvent.
4. Blot the stained area with it.
5. While you’re doing it, the stain will start to move onto the cloth. Remember to turn to a clean part of the cloth after every few blots.
6. Don’t pour the solvent directly on the carpet; only dampen the cloth with it.
7. If this doesn’t work, read the following steps.
8. Add a few drops of the dish washing soap in a cup of water.
9. Moisten a cloth with the mixture and blot the stain with it.
10. When the stain is fully gone, leave it to air dry.
11. Just in case, put a towel on the wet spot and press down on it, to absorb any remaining liquids.
12. After that, vacuum it to restore the former texture of the fibres.

If you’ve spilled dry toner, and you’ve vacuumed it, clean the vacuum bag afterwards, because if you leave it like this, it will return in one way or another on the carpet.

Try not to scrub the carpet, because you will harm the fibres and make it look worn out.

Don’t use laundry or dishwasher detergents, because they can discolour the carpet and harm the fibres.

You can use rubbing alcohol, as it is good at removing ink stains, but be careful and don’t let it soak into the carpet. It will loosen the carpet fibres.

If your carpet is in a light colour, you can use hydrogen peroxide to clean the toner. However, don’t forget that you should first test it on a hidden area before starting on the stain, because it has a bleach-like effect and will discolour darker colours.

How To Clean Blood Stains From The Carpet

Blood stains are a bugger to remove from a carpet, because the haemoglobin in it binds easily with the carpet material.

It is easier to remove when it hasn’t dried yet. When they do, it becomes almost impossible to remove them. Also, remember not to rub, but blot, because rubbing will only work the stain in the fabric. Follow the steps bellow, according to your carpet type, to remove blood from it.

For this you will need a cleaning solution. For a woollen carpet, you’ll need a mix of 1 teaspoon mild, non-alkali detergent and a cup of cold water; for a synthetic carpet you’ll need a mix of 2 tablespoons of household ammonia and a cup of cold water; for an oriental carpet you’ll need a mix of one part white vinegar and two parts cold water; some clean white towels; a spray bottle; a rinsing solution made of 2-6 drops of mild, non-alkali dish detergent and a cup of cold water; and a water bottle.

1. Take a clean cloth and try to remove as much of the blood as you can by blotting. Don’t forget NOT to rub, as it will make the blood even harder to remove.
2. Spray the stain area with water.
3. Blot the stain again.
4. Before you use the cleaning solution, try it on a hidden area if it will react well with the carpet; it might discolour and ruin it.
5. Spray it lightly on the stain area.
6. With a clean, dry cloth, try blotting the stain until no blood appears on the cloth. Change it if necessary. It will also prevent spreading the stain.
7. Repeat steps 5 and 6 as many times as necessary.
8. Spray the area with the rinsing solution.
9. Remove by blotting with a clean cloth.
10. Spray again, with clean water this time.
11. Blot once again, until all of the cleaning solution is gone.
12. Cover the area with a cloth or a paper sheet, and put some weights on it.
13. Let is sit for several hours.
14. Remove it all and leave it to dry.
15. When it’s completely dry, clean with the vacuum to remove any leftover residue.
16. If, after it dries, the area turns brown, mix vinegar and water 1:2 and blot the spot with it. You can’t repeat this more than once.

Don’t use warm water; it will make the cleaning process more difficult.

Using ammonia or bleach on wool will damage its fibres.

Spot cleaner will damage the fibres of oriental rugs.

Removing Pet Hair From The Carpet

Having a pet with long fur may prove to be a nightmare, especially if you have carpets in your home. The fur gets tangled in the carpet and even if you vacuum regularly, it doesn’t go away. There are a few ways to get rid of them.

Using a sponge mop

Things you will need include a clean kitchen sponge mop that you will use for pet hair removal only; a spray bottle filled with water; a vacuum cleaner.
1. Start by thoroughly and carefully vacuuming the carpet
2. Spray the sponge mop lightly with some water
3. Move the mop on the carpet slowly and gently to catch all the hairs that are tangled in the carpet.
4. The hairs will stick together and you can remove them easily either by picking them up by hand, or by vacuuming them.

Using fabric softener

You will need some liquid fabric softener, some water, a spray bottle, and a vacuum cleaner.
1. Start with mixing fabric softener with water in the spray bottle, 1:3.
2. Lightly spray the carpet, but try not to saturate it.
3. Leave it to air dry – it shouldn’t take a lot of time.
4. Vacuum it thoroughly, as the fabric softener helps loosen the hairs and they become easier to clean.

Using baking soda

You will need some backing soda and a vacuum cleaner.
1. Sprinkle lightly the carpet with baking soda
2. Leave it to sit for several minutes
3. Vacuum the carpet
4. This doesn’t only remove hairs, but also deodorizes the carpet.

You can use a long-handled squeegee on your carpet, as its rubber can pull up the hairs and this will make them easier to vacuum.

If you have Berber carpets, maybe using a carpet rake and a vacuum with strong suction will to the trick.

There are vacuum cleaners which are made, if not specifically for cleaning pet hairs, at least are with stronger suction or have attachments that make this feat achievable.

Another way would be to put on a pair of rubber gloves and move your hands across the carpet, as this will loosen the hairs and they will be easier to vacuum.

Blow up a balloon and rub it across the carpet. The static will make the hairs stick to the balloon.

If these methods don’t work, you may want to consider hiring a cleaning company to do it for you.

Removing Tough Dirt Stains And Rubber Stains From The Carpet

Removing tough dirt stains from a carpet

For this, you will need a carpet stain remover; some shaving cream; some rubbing alcohol; some laundry detergent; some soft cloths; some water, a bucket, and a scrub brush.
1. First, fill the bucket with some warm water.
2. Add a little of the laundry detergent in the water and stir it until suds appear.
3. Dip a cloth in the soapy water and blot with it on the stain.
4. When the area is moistened, leave it for some minutes. The detergent needs to soak in the dirt and loosen it.
5. Take the scrub brush and scrub the stain area. Don’t scrub too hard, however, or you will harm the fibres.
6. Blot with the cloth dampened in the soapy water again. The stain should start to move onto the cloth.
7. Blot until all of the stain is gone.
8. If this doesn’t remove the stain, you can use a stain remover.
9. If you don’t have carpet remover, you can use rubbing alcohol or shaving cream.
10. When the stain is gone, take a clean cloth, dip it in some water, and blot the area to rinse it.
11. Continue blotting until all of the cleaning products are gone. Make sure that there’s none left, as they will only aid new stains to develop.
12. Pres with a dry cloth on the wet area to absorb the liquids.
13. Leave it to air dry.

Removing rubber stains from a carpet

For this, you will need some mineral oil and turpentine, a few soft cloths, some water, a soap or some carpet shampoo, and a pair of rubber gloves.
1. Put some mineral oil on a cloth and apply on a hidden area of your carpet. Leave it for 24 hours and see if there isn’t any damage to the area.
2. If all went well, proceed by moistening the cloth in mineral oil once again an applying it to the stained area.
3. Scrub the stain with the scrub brush.
4. When the rubber is removed, there will probably be a dark stain.
5. Do the same as in step 1, this time with turpentine.
6. Moisten a cloth with turpentine and blot on the stain.
7. Continue blotting until all of the stain is gone.
8. Make sure to remove all of the chemicals that you’ve used.
9. You can use a carpet cleaner, but if you don’t have one, just blot with warm, soapy water.
10. Blot again, this time with a dry cloth.
11. Leave the area to air dry and then vacuum.

How To Prevent Air Duct Contamination

If you’re reading this article, then the chance is that you are one of the increasing number of people who have had the air duct systems at their home cleaned. That’s all good – you’ve probably felt some relief from the allergies and other symptoms of polluted indoor air that have been plaguing you, but that’s just not enough. If you leave things like that, the air ducts will soon be dirty again, and you’ll find yourself suffering again. Here are some steps you should follow to ensure that your air ducts don’t get contaminated.

1. You have to prevent the entry of dirt in the ducts.

  • consult with the system’s manufacturers on what kind of filters you should use
  • change them regularly
  • if they get clogged, change them more frequently
  • place the filters firmly in their place so that air can’t pass through any gaps and make sure you’ve put them all
  • when you have your system maintenance, don’t forget to ask for a cooling coils and drain pans cleaning
  • if you decide to renovate your home, seal off all opening and do not remove the seals until you’ve cleaned the house
  • don’t let your home become dusty. Don’t forget that vacuuming increases the dust in the air and that can result in more dust in the air ducts

2. You have to prevent the air ducts from moisture.

The duct should never be wet. If you wish to prevent any growths in there, control the moisture.

It’s relatively easy for it to enter the system if there are any leaks present – usually caused by improper installation. Condensation is suggested to be a major factor in contaminating the air ducts, if some form on or near the cooling coils. If you spot any, there’s little doubt that the mould is already growing. If you don’t want that happening, here are some tips on how to control moisture:

  • look for and repair any damage, leaks and gaps
  • keep an eye on the cooling coils, as they are supposed to keep the water from the air and if there’s anything wrong with them, then the chance that the ducts are contaminated is high. See if the condensate pan works
  • check if the air ducts are sealed well in non-air-conditioned areas, as this will help prevent condensation from entering the ducts.

How To Remove Limescale From Your Bathtub

Limescale is a white residue build up that usually appears on surfaces in prolonged contact with hard water. It has magnesium and calcium, and those can easily build up on the bathtub surface. It’s not difficult to remove it, however, and the most difficult thing is the scrubbing.

For cleaning limescale, you will need some vinegar, some citric acid, some CLR, a spray bottle, some paper towels, some water, a scrub brush and Mr. Clean Magic Eraser.

1. First, clean the area as you normally would when you want to remove dirt and other build up. This will let you take care directly of the limescale later. Also, crack open a window, because the smell of the cleaning solutions can be very strong.
2. Decide what you’re going to be cleaning with. You probably have vinegar at home, and you can either use it pure or diluted with some water. You can find citric acid in some specialty stores and it can be mixed with water to achieve the desired strength.
3. Pour the cleaning solution in a spray bottle so you can apply it easier.
4. Soak the area where the limescale is with either vinegar or citric acid and let it sit from 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on how much limescale there is. Don’t let the area dry out, and spray it again every 15 minutes.
5. If there’s limescale on the wall of the bath tub, put a paper towel on the area and stick it to the spot by spraying on it with the cleaning solution.
6. When the cleaner has soaked enough to loosen the limescale, it’s scrubbing time. Put on a pair of rubber gloves.
7. Scrub the area with a soft cloth or a scrub brush. You will need to push hard if you want to remove the limescale but don’t use an abrasive scrubber as it will damage the bathtub’s surface. You can also clean with a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser after that, for extra cleaning power. If you’re going to use it, don’t apply pressure as it’s somewhat abrasive.
8. Repeat if you have to.
9. If the method above doesn’t remove the limescale, try using a commercial cleaner like CLR. Apply in the same way as in the previous method, with the paper towel. Read the label to know how long you have to let it soak.
10. When you’ve removed the lime scale, clean the tub as you normally would in order to get rid of the cleaning products’ residue.

How To Remove The Odour Left From Cooking

If the smell of what you’ve cooked yesterday still lingers on the next one, it can be pretty nauseating. Usually, the culprit is fried fish, but strong odours can come from other exotic foods with strong spices and flavours. Of course, the odour has a source, and if you can find it, then you will be able to neutralize it, and remove it.

For this, you will need some vinegar, some water, some citrus peels, a large shallow pan, a stove, a degreasing dish soap, several soft cloths or some sponges.
1. First, clean the area of all food splatters and grease.
2. Wipe the area around the stove using the degreasing dish detergent. You should especially do this if the food in question is fried. The odour may come from the old grease splatters.
3. Next, wipe the stove top, the cabinets and the floor in front of the stove, as these may have some grease and food parts that could release the odour.
4. Open all the windows and doors and let the air circulate through your home. If it’s warm enough, put a fan on the window – it will pull in some fresh air and push out the odour-filled air.
5. Mix one part water and one part vinegar in the shallow pan.
6. Add some lemon juice or some pieces of citrus peel to the mix in the pan for a pleasant scent.
7. Heat the mix on the stove until it starts simmering and leave it like this for a couple of hours (don’t let it boil). If needed, add more of the water and the vinegar.
8. The vinegar will neutralize the odours that are still around.
9. After a few hours of simmering, turn the stove off and leave the pan with water and vinegar to absorb the odour for the rest of the day.

If there are any dirty dishes in the kitchen or food scraps in the trash, they may be the odour source. Clean the dishes and take out the trash and the odour may just disappear.

If the odour is unbearable, try using potpourri to mask it for a while.

You can use some fresh coffee grounds to absorb the odour. Fill some bowls with it and place them around the room. After several days the odour will be gone.

If you’re afraid that the meal you just cooked will leave an odour in the air, quickly wash the pans and plates that you used for cooking, and dispose of leftovers before they start smelling badly.

Cleaning The Iron Soleplate

If you feel even a slight resistance while you’re ironing, then it’s time to clean the iron. There are two parts that need to be cleaned – the sole plate, which is the one on the bottom, and the reservoir, where the water is stored.

You will need some salt, a soft cloth, some white vinegar, some baking soda, some distilled or purified water, and some oven cleaner.

1. Cleaning the soleplate: Turn off the iron and until it’s completely cool, don’t start anything. Then, dampen a cloth in water, sprinkle a good amount of salt on it, and start scrubbing the plate. You can also use a nylon mesh pad and some soapy water. If there are any tough stains, squeeze some toothpaste on a soft cloth. For starch build-up, use a dampened cloth with white vinegar or a mixture of one part white vinegar and one part salt (heat until the salt dissolves). Another method is making a paste of some baking soda and some water, and cleaning the soleplate with it.

Don’t use a metal scouring pad or anything that can scratch the soleplate surface.

If the iron isn’t one with a non-stick surface, try heating the iron to its hottest, non-steam setting and sprinkle some salt on a brown paper bag, then run it over with the iron.

2. Cleaning the reservoir: Fill it ¼ full of white vinegar and then steam it until it’s empty. The vinegar fumes are very strong, so don’t forget to crack open a window. Fill the reservoir with water next and repeat the same as with the vinegar, and repeat until there are no more mineral deposits to be seen. When that’s over, rinse it with some distilled or purified water. If while using the vinegar a brown ooze starts to from, stop and use only water.

It’s a good idea to always use distilled or purified water in the reservoir when steaming clothes – it will prevent mineral build-up.

If you decide you only want to use regular water, just remember to pour out the still-hot water after every use.

3. Removing burn marks: Turn of the iron and leave it until it cools off completely. Cover the whole iron with paper, leaving only the soleplate open. Take it outdoors and spray some oven cleaner on the soleplate directly. Leave it for 3-5 minutes and then rinse the soleplate by wiping with a cloth dampened in cool water.

Removing Oil Stains From Your Carpets

You probably know the agony of having some oil stains on the carpet. The realisation sinking in, the oil sinking in… It really is one of the most difficult stains to remove, ever. It’s not, however, impossible, and here’s how you can clean it.

For this, you will need some absorbent cloths or newspapers, a grease fighting dish washing soap, like Dawn, some cornstarch or baby powder, a vacuum cleaner, an old toothbrush, a bucket, some sponges, water, a few towels, and a lot of patience.
1. Start with trying to soak up as much of the spilled oil as you can with one of the absorbing materials. Put towels or newspapers and press them on the stain to absorb the oil. If it’s newspapers that you’re using, don’t press them for too long, or the ink will print itself on the carpet.
2. When you’ve absorbed most of the oil, cover it with cornstarch or baby powder completely. Brush over it lightly with your fingers to work it in the carpet. This will absorb the oil between the fibres.
3. Leave it like this for a couple of hours.
4. Vacuum away the cornstarch or baby powder.
5. If you’ve spilled a lot, repeat steps 2-4 again.
6. Now you can take care of what’s left.
7. Put some grease-fighting dish washing product on the stain. Spread it across the area with your fingers. Work it in the carpet again.
8. Use the toothbrush to scrub it into the fibres.
9. Since the dish cleaning product suds easily, you will have a bit of a hard time removing it.
10. Spray the area with clean water and blot with a clean cloth.
11. Repeat the process until all of the soap is gone.
12. If you have carpet cleaner, use it – it will easily rinse the spot.
13. When all of the soap is gone, put a towel or two on the wet area and put some weights on it. Leave it for an hour.
14. Leave the carpet to air dry.

You can dry the carpet more quickly if you place a dehumidifier nearby.

Try using a dry cleaning solvent to remove the oil stain. Just blot it in with a clean clot, and then remove by blotting with a different cloth.

If you need some more cleaning power, try mixing some vinegar with the dish washing detergent, and then applying it on the stained area.

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