Quick-and-dirty ways to fight common stains
Sometimes it pays to add new stain-fighting tools to your cleaning arsenal. I asked experts to share simple techniques for common scenarios.
Don’t panic, says Cameron Capel, a vicepresident of Capel Rugs, a 100-year-old company based in North Carolina. And keep a bottle of liquid laundry detergent on hand. She recommends Tide Free and Gentle Liquid or All Free Clear, with no perfumes or dyes. Blot the area with a dry cloth, then mix two cups of water with two teaspoons of liquid detergent and apply directly to the stain with a white, absorbent cloth or paper towel, working from the edges of the spot to the centre. Keep blotting, never overwetting the stain, until your cloth comes away clean. Use plain water at the end to remove detergent residue.
Most stains come out with simple soap and water, says Hal Hunnicutt, vice-president of marketing at Glen Raven, which manufactures Sunbrella, an indoor-outdoor fabric many retailers use on their outdoor cushions. If you have Sunbrella cushions that unzip, machine-wash the covers with a bit of mild detergent such as Dreft or Woolite. Never put them in the dryer as they can shrink (and they dry quickly on their own, anyway). If your cushions do not unzip, “literally put them out on your patio or yard, mix up some mild soap and water in a bucket and pour it on the cushions,” Hunnicutt says. “Let it sit for a bit and rinse with a garden hose.”
The trick to a good pot cleaning is to scrub a warm pot. You can heat it on medium heat just before you start, according to Jolie Kerr, a cleaning expert and advice columnist. Of course, be careful not to touch it with your hands while cleaning. Sprinkle on baking soda and scour the pan with a damp (not a soaking-wet) sponge. Her favourites are the Dobie pad and other Scotch-Brite products. Scrub until the buildup, water spots and stuck-on food go away. Then rinse in hot water.
The sooner you can address a mark on the wall, the easier it will be to clean, according to Jeff Spillane, a Benjamin Moore senior manager. Use a clean cellulose sponge with a little warm water and give the wall a good rub. Wait for it to dry and see whether it’s clean. If the mark is still evident, repeat the process using a dab of dish detergent and wipe the area dry with a clean sponge. This should work regardless of your paint’s finish. Use only nonabrasive cleaners and sponges or gentle cleaners such as baby wipes or cotton swabs. Avoid using regular household cleaners (especially those with ammonia) because they might change the sheen of the paint.