"What To Do About Pesky Stains"

We can certainly take care of stains on your carpets, rugs, upholstery, and tile, but what about those pesky clothing stains? Some stains are more difficult to remove than others and it depends on the stain and the type of material that the stain is on. Some materials are more difficult to remove stains from, such as silk.

To remove stains from silk, add 1/2 cup of mild detergent and two teaspoons of white vinegar to two quarts of cold water. Do not soak the material in this solution. Rinse well and then roll the garment in a towel and while it is still damp.

To prevent yellowing of linen and wool, especially of garments and blankets, add 1/2 cup of white vinegar to the rinse water.

If you come across a stain while you're doing your laundry and you don't know how to remove the stain then these are are some good tips on how to remove it with what you have available in your house.

Oily Stains: Make a paste of sugar and water. Rub it into the stain and let it set before washing.

Non-Oily Stains: Make a solution of 1 pint of lukewarm water, 1 teaspoon of white vinegar. Apply this to the stain until the stain is gone then rinse with clear water.

Ink: Soak with hairspray, then dry, then brush lightly with a solution of white vinegar and water. Rinse with clear water.

Salt & Water:  White vinegar takes salt and water off of leather.

Hair Dye: Use detergent and white vinegar to remove hair dye stains then bleach with hydrogen peroxide. Then wash in the washer.

Lipstick: Use full strength lemon juice and salt to the stain, then lay the fabric out in the sun for awhile.

Perspiration: use 1/4 cup of salt to 1 quart of hot water. Put this mixture on the stain then launder.

Wine & Fruit Juice:  Make a paste of lemon juice and salt. Put this mixture on the stain and let is set for 30 minutes then launder.

Rust: To remove rust, make a paste of lemon juice and salt and apply it to the stain. Put the fabric in the sun until the stain disappears.

If you have stains on your carpets, rugs, upholstery, or tile give us a call and we'll take care of getting your home back to looking its best.

Recently one of my clients asked me an unusual question, "Can you use Windex Glass Cleaner for carpet cleaning"? I immediately said no and asked why he would ask such a question. He said that the last carpet cleaner he had hired told him that he uses Windex Glass Cleaner on all of his carpet cleaning jobs.

First let me state for the record that S.C. Johnsen & Son, Incorporated, the makers of Windex Glass Cleaner, do not recommend that you use this particular product on your carpets and for good reason. Windex Glass Cleaner is comprised of (3) ingredients - about 90-95% water, 1-5% isopropanol (alcohol), and 0.1 - 1% ethylene glycol n-hexal ether. These three ingredients, when combined, make ammonia with a pH level of 10.5 - 11.0. 

If you were to ask Mohawk and Shaw, the two largest manufactures of carpet, they recommend that you have your carpets professionally cleaned every 6 - 18 months using a cleaning agent with a pH level no higher than 9.0. If you use a cleaning agent with pH level higher than 9.0 you will void your carpet's warranty and possibly ruin your carpet. The high pH and the alcohol in Windex will eventually make the carpet fibers brittle. Kind of like split-ends for your hair. Just like your hair needs to be rinsed with a conditioner carpets also need to rinsed with a conditioner that will return the carpet's pH to 7.0 leaving it soft and fluffy.

When asked by the client why I thought the other cleaner would use Windex Glass Cleaner to clean carpets my response was "Drying Times". The alcohol in Windex evaporates water, when exposed to air, creating faster drying times.

The next time you hire a "professional" carpet cleaner make sure that they right type of cleaning chemicals for the job. If you have questions about this or any other cleaning matters email me at paddle@frontiernet.net or give me a call at (916) 525-2456.

Michael Hull

Simple solutions for a healthier home and family

Us against the allergens: The twin threat of pollen and pollution may keep the allergy-prone indoors, but for many the real trouble begins inside the house. Pet dander, dust mites, dust mite feces, mold, and other indoor allergens and irritants are nothing to sneeze, or wheeze, at, especially if there is a history of asthma or allergies in your family. One tip for limiting exposure to dust mites (and dust mite feces - yuck) is to vacuum your home weekly. Your big carpet manufactures recommend that you vacuum a minimum of three times per week. Consider investing into a true HEPA (high efficiency particulate arresting) filter vacuum, which traps dust mites, dust mite feces and other allergens. If anyone in your family shows signs of a pet allergy, try to keep your child and Fido in different rooms (and definitely not in the same bed).

The bedroom: Between plush pillows, fluffy blankets, and flowing drapery, the bedroom isn't only a cozy haven for its human occupants, it's also a great haven for Dust Mites. According to the research 60% or more of all dust mites live in the bedroom with you. In their short life span they will 'poop' 100 times their body weight. Sheets and pillow cases should be washed on a weekly basis. If you own a HEPA vacuum you can vacuum the mattress while the sheets are in the wash.

The Kitchen: You might be cooking more than just delicious meals for your family in the kitchen, so you will need to pay particular attention to food safety when you're in the kitchen or any other place where you might be preparing food. To clean you babies high chair, put the tray directly in the dishwasher for a good scrub. To get the 'gunk' out of the high chair's crevices go at it with some dental floss, a toothpick, or with a cotton swab dipped in a disinfectant cleaner. A safe, but effective, cleaner to use on your counter tops is hydrogen peroxide. Apply with a sponge and give it a minute to 'fizzle'. When it 'fizzles' it is killing anaerobic bacteria (the dangerous kid).

The bathroom: Your visit to the bathroom each day might a quick in and out, but bacteria like to hang around long after the toilet flushes. There are actually more germs in the kitchen (surprise!), but plenty still call the bathroom 'Home Sweet Home'. Water vapor (plus the toilets contents) erupts from the toilet like a mini bacteria volcano every time you flush, landing on whatever is nearby - including your toothbrush. Closing the lid before you flush will prevent you from brushing your teeth with toilet water.

The playroom: Germs can get passed around in a playroom faster than a race car at the Indy 500. More colds are spread through the hands than any other organ. There's no better way to stop the spread of colds and germs than by washing your hands. Instead of buying expensive wipes and germ soaps run your hands under water for at least 20 seconds rinsing thoroughly. You may want to save those wipes for when guests are over. Check Junior's toys and see if they can be safely washed in the dishwasher.