Tips for Cleaning Household Stains
This page contains a list of common stains and the best solvent or cleaning solutions to use for removal. Before using these cleaners see the rules for treating and cleaning stains on the Stain Cleaning Tips page. Test a hidden spot on stained surfaces before using any of the cleaning solutions or solvents on this page to be sure they won't be damaged. For descriptions and availability of cleaning solutions see this page.
Alkyd/Oil Paint Use a clean white cloth dipped in mineral spirits or turpentine to dab or wipe wet paint. Move to a clean spot on the rag as it becomes saturated with paint. When all the paint has been removed wash fabrics with liquid laundry detergent and warm water. To clean dry paint from most surfaces use acetone or lacquer thinner. Soak solid metals in a bath of one of these solvents for several hours before wiping the surface clean. Clean dry paint on fabrics and other surfaces using a clean cloth dipped in acetone or lacquer thinner.
Blood Rinse repeatedly with cold water to remove fresh blood, scrub with liquid laundry detergent and rinse with cold water until the stain is gone. On upholstery and carpeting, use a wet/dry vacuum to pull water and blood stain out. Repeat if necessary. Also try the following to remove blood stains: 1 cup cold water and 2 tablespoons of ammonia; rinse in 3% hydrogen peroxide; flush stain with vinegar and rinse with cold water. When the stain is gone launder as usual.
Chewing Gum Freeze gum and chip the hardened material off of fabrics. Hold a piece of ice on the gum or put small items in the refrigerator freezer. Use WD-40 to remove gum from hard surfaces like wood and metals. Also use WD-40 or gasoline to remove gum from hair. Wash all surfaces after the gum has been removed.
Chocolate Remove excess chocolate and rinse the stain with a solution of 2 tablespoons ammonia and 1 cup of warm water.
Coffee/Tea Rinse coffee and tea stains in fabrics with cold water. Use a solution of 2 tablespoons of vinegar and 1 cup of cold water.
Crayon Spray crayon marks with dry-cleaning solvent.
Fruit Juice Pour table salt over heavy spills. Vacuum up the salt and rinse the stain with a solution of 2 tablespoons of vinegar and 1 cup of cold water.
Grease Put a drop of liquid dish detergent on cooking spatter spots, let the spot soak for a day or more before laundering as usual. Blot at grease spots on non-washable fabrics using a clean cloth dipped in dry cleaning solvent. Use a clean spot on the cleaning cloth to blot the stain until all the grease has been removed.
Ink Remove ink stains from most surfaces using acetone or WD-40. On non-washable fabrics use dry-cleaning fluid. Dab or wipe ink stains with a white cleaning cloth dipped in solvent. As ink transfers to the cloth move to a clean spot and use more solvent until the stain is gone. Launder washable fabrics and dryclean non-washables. Also try: petrolium jelly.
Latex Paint Flush wet latex paint from fabrics with plenty of warm water. Work liquid detergent in to the stain and scrub and rinse until all paint is gone. Clean wet paint from other surfaces with a rag saturated with warm water. As the rag becomes saturated with paint use a fresh one to avoid spreading the stain. Clean dry latex paint stains with acetone or lacquer thinner. Soak solid metal items in a bath of one of these solvents. Wipe or dab with a cloth dipped in solvent to remove dry latex paint from most other surfaces.
Mildew Kill mildew on most surfaces with a solutions of 1 to 3 laundry bleach to cold water. For surfaces that would be damaged by chlorine bleach use 3% hydrogen peroxide or white vinegar to rinse the stain. Also try: lemon juice
Motor Oil Mix 1/2 cup hot water with 1 cup of powdered laundry detergent. Mix to a paste and apply to the stain. Let the paste stand for about 30 minutes and rinse with hot water. Repeat if necessary.
Mustard Use 3% hydrogen peroxide to saturate the stain then rinse in warm water. for non-washables dab the stain with dry-cleaning fluid.
Nail Polish Clean wet nail polish with a cloth dipped in acetone or lacquer thinner. Dissolve dry nail polish by soaking solvent resistant items in a bath of one of these solvent. Otherwise, soak a rag in the solvent and hold it on the dry polish until it begins to soften. Wipe or dab at the soften polish with fresh solvent until the stain is gone. Laundry as usual.
Pet Stains Treat in the same way as urine below. To neutralize odors from pet urine on upholstery, carpeting, wood flooring, etc. mix half and half white vinegar and baking soda. Apply the mixture to the stained area and let it stand for an hour. Use a vacuum to clean up and apply the mixture again if odor persists. Also try: club soda followed by white vinegar, blot up excess and allow to dry.
Red Wine Use salt to absorb excess red wine in fabrics, carpets and upholstery, vacuum up the salt and rinse in cold water. When possible, launder with detergent and cold water. On other surfaces use cold water to saturate the stain and use a wetdry vacuum to pull out the excess water and wine stain. Soak the stain with water several times if necessary. Saturate tough red wine stains with vinegar and rinse in cold water.
Rust Remove rust stains with a solution of oxalic acid and cold water. Saturate the stains and scrub with a plastic bristled brush. Wear rubber gloves and eye protection when using oxalic acid. Also try: lemon juice and salt.
Shellac Clean wet shellac with denatured alcohol. Dissolve dry shellac with a soaking bath of denatured alcohol. Use a rag saturated with alcohol to wipe or dab at dry shellac on fabrics and other delicate surfaces. Also try: rubbing alcohol
Tar Clean tar from most surfaces with WD-40. Scrape off as much tar as possible and thoroughly spray the stain. Use a cleaning cloth to wipe or dab at the tar. Also try: gasoline or acetone.
Tarnish Clean tarnished metals using a mixture of salt, flour and vinegar in equal portions. The paste can be used to clean copper, brass and bronze. Wash off the paste and buff to a shine. Also Try: Dip a lemon slice in hot vinegar and then salt. Use the slice to clean tarnish on copper, brass and bronze.
Urine Soak fabrics for 30 minutes or more in cold water. Saturate urine stains with a solution of 2 tablespoons ammonia and 1 cup of cold water or 4 tablespoons white vinegar and 1 cup cold water.
Varnish Clean wet varnish with a cloth dipped in mineral spirits. Launder fabrics as usual. Clean dry varnish on fabrics and other surfaces using a clean cloth dipped in acetone or lacquer thinner.
Wax Remove excess wax with a putty knife or similar tool. If possible, lay the stained object over several layers of thick paper, such as paper grocery bags. Cover the wax with several layers of paper. Use a steam iron set on medium to heat the paper and soften the wax underneath. The wax will be absorbed onto the paper. When the paper becomes saturated with wax use a clean piece and continue until all the wax has been removed. Remove wax residue with dry–cleaning fluid.
