Stain-fighting Tips - Thanksgiving 2005
Be a Stain-fighting Superhero
Thanksgiving is coming! Thanksgiving is coming! Are you prepared? Sure, there’s all the food preparation, the arrangements you’ll make for overnight guests, the ongoing home improvement projects that you’ll have to make presentable…
But what about the aftermath? With all those guests and all that food and drink, there are bound to be some new “carpet decorations”. Will you know what to do? Be the calm and cool stain-superhero; use our handy tips to conquer even the most spectacular fumbles with grace.
First, blot (don’t soak) or spoon up the excess then follow the stain-specific tips below:
The culprit: Grease (gravy, butter, salad dressing, oils, mystery spills, etc.)
The solution: Simply sprinkle cornmeal or baking soda on the spill while it’s fresh. Leave overnight and then vacuum when completely dry. If the stain is still there, use Stain-X wipes (handy to keep around for quick clean-ups!) or blot on a small amount of dry-cleaning fluid. If using the dry-cleaning fluid, follow up with some blotting of a detergent solution of 1 teaspoon dishwashing liquid and 1 cup warm water. Work from the outside of the stain towards the center and then let it sit for five minutes. Sponge up the solution with warm water until the detergent disappears and then cover with plain white paper towels to absorb the excess liquid overnight. When the spot is completely dry, vacuum or brush the area to restore its original texture.
The culprit: Tannins (wine, fruit juice, soft drinks, coffee, ketchup, tomato sauce, etc.)
The solution: Pour salt on the fresh stain, and let it pull the stain out of the carpet. When dry, vacuum up the excess salt. If the stain remains, use Stain-X wipes (if using the Stain-X wipes, this is your final step — disregard the rest of the instructions), or blot with a detergent solution of 1.2 teaspoons mild liquid laundry detergent and 1 cup lukewarm water. For red wine and grape juice stains, sponge with club soda or white wine instead. Next, sponge on a solution of 2 tablespoons ammonia and 1 cup warm water. Blot on the detergent solution from before again, and then rinse and blot dry. Cover the affected area with plain white paper towels and let dry overnight. Vacuum or brush the area when dry to restore texture.
The culprit: Proteins (dairy products, eggs, grass, blood, urine, etc.)
The solution: Use Stain-X wipes. If you don’t have any handy, dab with a detergent solution of 1 teaspoon dishwashing liquid and 1 cup lukewarm water (cold water for blood). If the stain is gone, leave it be. If the stain is still visible, blot the area with a solution of 2 tablespoons ammonia and 1.2 cups water. Sponge the area with clean water and then blot on a solution of 1 cup white vinegar and 2 cups warm water. Sponge again with clean water and blot dry. Cover the area with plain white paper towels and let it sit overnight. Vacuum or brush the area when it’s dry to restore the carpet’s texture.
Ask GoVacuum
Question: What to do? I love my new apartment but cleaning it effectively and easily is near impossible. The floors are all wood and tile. Actually, the whole building is. What’s the best way to clean large amounts of hardwood flooring? I’ve used my bagless vacuum, but it’s not very effective picking up dust from the hard floors. I’ve tried mopping, but the only way to get the streakless shine I like is by getting down on all fours and buffing with a dry towel. This is tiresome; there’s gotta be a better way!
Answer: The Hoover FloorMate may just be the miracle you’re looking for. It’s designed specifically to tackle just these kinds of issues. Naturally, it’s slightly more work than just vacuuming carpets, but isn’t it worth it for those beautiful shiny floors? The Hoover FloorMate Model H3000 vacuums, washes and dries your floor for you — and really well at that. It has both wet and dry pickup functionality (you make the choice via a foot-controlled push-button) — no more dustpans or mop buckets!
Best Upright: SEBO X4 Automatic EXTRA Upright — powerful suction in a completely sealed system to prevent dust and allergens from being released back into the air.
Learn More!
Best Canister: SEBO Air Belt C3.1 Canister — S-Class filtration and great maneuverability to help conquer any cleaning task.
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Best Bagless Vacuum: Dyson DC07 RootCyclone Animal Upright — hygienic and quick to empty and it NEVER loses suction.
Learn More!
Best Carpet Shampooer: Koblenz P-820 Shampooer/Polisher with Tank — quality twin-brush machine designed for home use.
Learn More!
Hoky® PR2400 PowerRotor NonElectric Sweeper (PR 2400) - only $52.95 and great for quick clean ups and small apartments!
Space Saver Bags - protecting all your belongings while tripling your storage space!
Dirt Devil M0100 Classic Hand Vac - only $49.95 and great for cleaning cars, little messes and hard-to-reach areas!
Miele Toy Vacuum Cleaner - only $29.99 and great for the miniature cleaning enthusiasts in your life!
For more great gift ideas, check out our complete list!
