Summer is an active season where you can get yourself into more grimy messes than the winter. Since you’re not covered up with a thick coat and boots, you are exposed to the elements, thus making it easier to get dirty. This goes double for kids.
However, your home is also more vulnerable to summer dirt, so you can find you’re looking at a whole different kind of mess when summer rolls around. Here are 9 common summer stains with tips on how to deal with them.
1. The season of oily salads
If you tend to serve more oily salads in the summer as a lighter meal choice, then you need to know how to deal with an increase in oil-based stains. Oil sets in pretty fast, so you need to be prepared to make quick work of the stain before it’s too late. Once they dry, they are there for good! Pretreating an oil stain is rule number 1, using something like either a dish detergent designed to fight greasy buildup, or a laundry detergent. Depending on where the oil drops, you want to do a spot test to make sure you won’t do more harm than good.
Choose an area of the carpet, couch, or pillow that isn’t as noticeable to make sure it doesn’t fade when you apply the pretreatment. Then, apply it to the spot and let it lift the oil away for about 15 to 20 minutes. Next, use a damp clean cloth to blot at the stain with hot water. If the stain is on clothes, never toss an oil stain in the laundry before pretreating it or it will get baked in during the hot water and drying process.
2. Mud pie gourmet
If you have kids, then playing in the mud is a fun fact of life. Whether it’s mud pies or puddles, in the case of mud, it’s actually better to let it dry before trying to clean it. Once dry, you can scrape the crusty parts off, then apply your pretreatment. This applies to clothes as well as things such as carpets and upholstered furniture that get muddied from little hands, shoes, or feet. You can then apply either laundry detergent or dishwashing detergent to tackle the stains using the same process as above.
3. The grass is always greener
Summer grass stains can be found on clothes, but also on things like your outdoor blankets and towels. An easy fix is to use a 1:1 solution of white vinegar and cold water. Soak the stain for at least 15 minutes, and then use something like a toothbrush or dish nylon brush to remove the stain with some scrubbing.
4. Greasy sunscreen
Sunscreen is a summer must to protect your skin from burning, but it also can leave behind a greasy residue on your fabric furniture. Unfortunately, a common ingredient found in sunscreen called avobenzone creates a rusty coloured stain on fabrics when combined with water. So, rule number 1 is to avoid using water or bleach to wipe away sunscreen, and rule number 2 is to look for a cleaner made for chemical rust removal. And don’t forget to test it first, as this will be a stronger chemical than you usually use.
5. Fresh pits, stained fabrics
Most antiperspirant and deodorant products can lead to stains. First, during the summer, you might find yourself applying them a few times a day, and second, wearing tank tops and other sleeveless fashions can lead to staining on soft surfaces in the home. You can cause white stains on dark fabrics and yellow stains on whites if you lean your arms over the fabric. This is a reaction caused by the aluminum. When you have white stains on dark fabrics, try using lemon juice or hydrogen peroxide to lightly blot and remove the stain. For the yellow stains on whites, use a paste made of baking soda and water to remove the stain. If this doesn’t work, try a whitening laundry detergent that is bleach free.
6. Berry, berry messy
Dark berries of summer are a luscious treat, but they are also terrible for stains. If berry juice gets into your carpet or on your soft furniture, you can first blot the excess up with cold water and then follow the same steps recommended above for oily stains.
7. Fresh flower follies
The pollen from fresh cut flowers can wreak havoc on your home furnishings. Because it is a light dust, it will be tempting to brush it away first, but this will push the harsh natural dyes into the fabric. Instead, shake it off if you can, for something like a pillow or tablecloth. If you can’t shake it because it’s carpet or furniture, then use tape to lightly try to pick up the dust. You can then follow the same instructions for oil removal, but let it sit for up to 8 hours to do its work.
8. Lucky bird poop
While they say that a bird pooping on you is good luck, it can really make a mess of your balcony or patio. If you have bird droppings on your outdoor cushions, mix a quarter-cup mild soap per gallon of lukewarm water. Then, apply it using a soft bristle brush to clean the area. Let it soak for about 20 minutes, then rinse. Allow the pillows to dry in the sun.
9. Petulant popsicle stains
Bright coloured popsicles and other frozen treats can really leave their mark on your carpets and furniture. An excellent trick to tackle these food dyes is to use equal parts of hydrogen peroxide and water to create a cleaning solution in a squirt bottle. Then, spray a light mist to the stain to dampen the carpet or fabric and let it soak for at least 10 to 15 minutes, or up to 30 minutes for darker stains. Mist the spot with just water, then blot this area with a clean damp cloth. As you continue to blot, you should remove the wet residue along with any remaining dye.
Always remember to test, test, and test on a hidden area before trying these tips, as every fabric is different. If you want to keep your home clean this summer, speak to the experts at Maid4Condos to learn more about our Toronto cleaning services.
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