Guide to Stain Removers and Cleaning Solutions
Also see:This page contains a list of cleaning solutions and solvents to remove stains on surfaces all around the house. The cleaning methods we propose here have been thoroughy researched and represent a concensus on safe and practical household cleaning solutions. However, use caution when cleaning a surface for the first time. Use light pressure on a hidden spot before proceeding to be sure it won't be harmed by the cleaning process.
- Acetone
- Use this very strong solvent to remove dry paint from just about any surface in the house. Remove dry lacquer, oil, alkyd and latex paints. Also will remove most inks and dyes. Soak door hardware for a couple hours or overnight in a closeable container to remove old paint. Acetone will damage many painted surfaces as well as floor finishes, furniture finishes, plastics and other soft materials. Test on a hidden place before using it to clean stains. Use a clean cloth dipped in acetone to dab at fabric stains. Use a fresh spot on the cleaning cloth when it becomes saturated with the stain. Clean most other surfaces by rubbing or dabbing with a clean cloth soaked in acetone.
- Ammonia
- A good general purpose household cleaning solution for glass, kitchen and bathroom surfaces. Cleans stains caused by chocolate, blood, perspiration and urine. Use to soften adhesives on jar labels and to remove wax.
- Baking Soda
- Used to clean and polish most household surfaces. Mix with vinegar or peroxide to create a cleaning paste. A peroxide paste will whiten many surfaces including tooth enamel. Clean hard water spots from bath and shower fiberglass and ceramic tile. Removes coffee and tea stains on glass; cleans rust when mixed with vinegar; sprinkle on carpets and upholstery then vacuum up to get rid of odors.
- Bleach
- Use to kill mildew on many surfaces including aluminum and vinyl siding, lawn furniture and other outdoor surfaces. Use it to lighten water stains on wood; mix it with tsp to brighten decks.
- Drycleaning Solvent
- Perchloroethylene and trichloroethane are two solvents used on dry clean only fabrics. Available in hardware stores. Used to remove stains from delicate fabrics. Dab at small stains with a cleaning rag; soak larger stains and dry by dabbing with paper towels.
- Enzymes
- Used to clean protein based stains like blood, perspiration, urine, grass and food stains. Available in hardware stores.
- Hydrogen Peroxide
- Peroxide is an oxygen cleaner (like Oxyclean®) that works like bleach to whiten stains. Will safely bleach stains from many surfaces including tooth enamel. Mild enough to use on delicate fabrics. Try it on any surface with coffee, tea or wine stains.
- Lacquer Thinner
- Thins lacquer paint. Use to remove most dry paint from metal and other tough, non-porous surfaces. Will cut the finish on many surfaces like acetone will so follow the same precautions mentioned there. Available in paint and hardware stores.
- Muriatic Acid
- Used to clean masonry and stone or to prepare them for painting. Available in hardware and paint stores. To remove alkali efflorescence (white powder) from masonry use a weak solution of muriatic acid and water. Be very careful with the acid, it is very corrosive and will burn everything, including skin. Even a minor splash of the acid solution can do damage so wear long sleeves, gloves and eye protection. Use a nylon bristled brush to scrub very gently to minimize splashing. Rinse the acid from the surface using lots of clean water. Watch the run–off; soak it up with absorbent rags and wipe all surfaces down well to prevent the acid from damaging things like adjacent floors or plant life.
- Mineral Oil
- Mixed with whiting to polish marble and other stone finishes.
- Mineral Spirits
- Used to thin oil and alkyd based paints as well as for cleaning paint and oil stains. Available in hardware and paint stores.
- Naval Jelly
- Use this acid to convert iron oxide (rust) into iron phosphate. Use it as a first coat on rusted metal and follow with a rust inhibiting primer and top coat. Available in hardware stores.
- Oxalic Acid
- Use this acid to bleach stains in wood caused by water or urine. Available in hardware and paint stores. Mix 1/2 cup acid in a quart of cold water. Soak the surface several times until the desired color is reached. Neutralize the acid with ammonia and water and let the wood dry before refinishing.
- Paste Wax
- Use to protect metal surfaces from oxidation preventing rust and tarnish. Clean metals like silver and brass with Brasso®, wash them in warm soapy water and dry before polishing with wax.
- Trisodium phosphate (TSP)
- Heavy duty powdered cleanser mixes with warm to hot water to clean tough grease and oil stains. Also good for other tough cleaning jobs like siding and decks. This is a very harsh cleaner and is rarely needed around the house, in most cases liquid laundry detergent will do just as well. Available at grocery, hardware and paint stores.
- Vinegar
- This acid cleans rust and other chemical stains from many surfaces. Vinegar from the bottle is about 5% acetic acid. You can increase the acid content by boiling the vinegar down. For example, boiling 16 ounces of vinegar down to 8 ounces will double the acid content to 10%. This can be useful when you have a really tough cleaning job and you want to go green.
- WD-40
- Clean grease, ink and tar stains. Use it to remove many adhesives as well as for treating rust and sticky hardware.
