October’s Super Spill & Stain Solver Tips and Tricks

By | October 12, 2015

October’s Super Spill & Stain Solver Tips and Tricks

CCS 10 1 15 CANVAIt’s that time of year again! Fall is upon us and there are LOTS of holidays, events and celebrations taking place.  Many of them are in our very own homes!  Everything from pumpkin carving, fall baking, arts and crafts, school projects to dinner parties.  Each of these events can be the perfect storm for stains on your carpet and upholstery.

Here are some tips, tricks and formulas to help you through the stain season and help to keep you home holiday ready during this busy season!

What to do when a spill happens:

Whether it is a food spill, muddy pet prints or an arts and crafts project that has gone awry, here is what you need to do before anything else:

  • Blot DON’T rub the spill – your mission here is to soak up the majority of the mess
  • Rubbing will ruin carpet fibers and will push the spill deeper into the carpet pile

DIY Stain Detergents to Keep On Hand!

  • DIY Detergent: Mix 1/4 teaspoon of Dawn liquid dishwashing detergent, into 1 cup of warm water.
  • DIY Vinegar Stain Solution: Mix 1 cup of white vinegar with 2 cups of water
  • DIY Ammonia Solution*:  Mix one tablespoon of clear household ammonia with 1/2 cup of warm water (*test in an inconspicuous area before using)

Spill & Stain Solvers:

CCS Tuesday 9 15 15 CANVADiscover Solutions to these common stain and spill situations:

Stain & Spill Group:  Wine, Ketchup, Chocolate, Coffee, Tea, Tomato Sauce, Berries, Hard Candy, Juices

Stain Category:  OMG! This Stain is going to be EPIC!

Solution:

  • Quick! Grab a white paper towel, cloth or towel (needs to be without print)
  • Snag some detergent
  • Dip white cloth into the DIY Detergent listed above and dab, dab, dab (no rubbing) onto spill
  • Continue repeatedly
  • Press cloth onto spot for a few seconds
  • Set your kitchen timer for 15 minutes – this time is critical as the detergent is breaking down the stain
  • When the timer goes off soak up excess liquid with a dry white cloth
  • Grab a clean, dry, white cloth and dip it into the DIY vinegar stain solution and dab, dab, dab
  • Hold the cloth on to the stain for a few seconds
  • Set the timer again for 15 minutes and let the vinegar solution work it’s magic
  • Rinse area by blotting with a clean white cloth soaked in warm water
  • Wait for area to dry
  • If the spill is really bad, place a stack of towels on top of it and place a heavy object on top of the towels
  • Repeat this process until the stain is gone

CCS Wednesday 9 16 15 CANVAStain & Spill Group:  Wine, Ketchup, Chocolate, Coffee, Tea, Tomato Sauce, Berries, Hard Candy, Juices

Stain Category:  OMG!  I can’t look!

Solution:

  • Quick! Grab a white paper towel, cloth or towel (needs to be without print)
  • Snag some detergent
  • Dip white cloth into the DIY Detergent listed above and dab, dab, dab (no rubbing) onto spill
  • Continue repeatedly
  • Press cloth onto spot for a few seconds
  • Set your kitchen timer for 15 minutes – this time is critical as the detergent is breaking down the stain
  • When the timer goes off soak up excess liquid with a dry white cloth
  • Apply the DIY Ammonia Solution and blot dry.  Make sure to test this solution in an inconspicuous area to make sure it works well on your carpeting
  • Blot with a dry white cloth

Good luck at keeping stains at bay this fall season!

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