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Cleaning Hints and Tips
8/4/2016 (Permalink)
Helpful Cleaning Tips from SERVPRO of East Louisville
Cleaning Hints and Tips
Crayon on walls: Pour a little dry-cleaning solvent on a soft towel (terrycloth works best). Start my blotting. If stain does not completely gone, rub gently, ensuring you feather outward from the center. This will work on most surfaces except antique wallpaper. You can also try one of the Mr. Clean sponges- the type you dampen before using. These sponges work great on many soils on both flat and semi/gloss painted surfaces.
Blood Stains (washable fabrics, carpet and upholstery only): Soak with cold water for about 30 minutes. If stain remains mix a little water with some unseasoned commercial meat tenderizer (this breaks down the protein in the blood). Soak for about 15 minutes, and then rinse with cold water. Allow to air dry- do not use a hair dryer, it may cause fabric to shrink.
Glass Cleaner: For best results use either crumpled newspaper or pages from a phone book.
Lightly Soiled Glass: ½ cup lemon juice, 1 gallon distilled water
Extremely Dirty Glass: 1 tablespoon household ammonia, 3 tablespoons denatured alcohol or vinegar, 1 quart warm water
All Purpose Cleaner: Dampen a sponge in the mixture, wipe surface. This is a mild abrasive, do not use on glass, chrome or other polished type of surfaces.
¼ cup baking Soda, 1 quart of warm water
Furniture Polish: Use a spray bottle to apply to wood surfaces, wipe clean with a soft cloth.
1 teaspoon lemon oil, 1 pint mineral oil
Brass and Copper Cleaner: Apply paste to item and let stand for 15 minutes. Wipe/buff clean using a soft white cloth. Make sure you turn the cloth so you are using a clean area at all times.
1 teaspoon salt, 1 cup vinegar, Enough flour to make a paste
Red Wine Stains: First try step 1, if stain remains try step 2. Remember, always blot, never rub the carpet or faberic. Rubbing damages the fibers, which may cause the stain to set. Once the stain has stopped transferring to the cloth, blot area with ¼ teaspoon dishwashing liquid in one-cup water. Follow up with a clean water rinse. Always allow the area to air dry.
Step #1: Soak area with either club soda or white wine. Allow to set for 5 minutes. Blot area with clean white cloth until the stain stops transferring to the cloth.
Step #2: Mix ? cup white vinegar and ? cup water. Blot in the same manner as above.
Coffee or Fruit Juice Stains on hard-surface flooring (not for wood or laminate flooring): Soak a clean white towel in the mixture below. Place the towel over the stain for several hours. Repeat up to 4 times. Rinse area clean with warm water.
1- part Glycerine
3- parts warm water
BBQ Grill or Oven Racks: Place rack in a large black plastic trash bag. Pour enough ammonia to cover all areas. Tie bag closed and allow to sit for at least 24-hours. It is best to do this outside to prevent the smell of ammonia from entering your living areas. Remove bag and hose off. Wipe BBQ grill racks with the rinsing mixture listed above for red wine stains (This is to remove any remaining ammonia residue).
Smoke Alarms: When you vacuum your carpet, vacuum the outside of all your alarms. When you change the batteries (Spring and Fall), vacuum the inside of the alarm.
Ballpoint-ink Stains: Place the garment stain side-down on a clean white towel and blot the area from the backside with a clean-white cloth dampened with rubbing alcohol can remove ink stains on cloths. By blotting from the backside of the fabric, the stain is pulled away from the surface, which increases the chance of its removal.
Mold or Mildew: Spray mixture on surface and allow to set for 10 minutes. Wipe surface with a cloth damped with mixture. To remove residue and odor of bleach, rinse surface with warm soapy water.
1 part bleach, 10 parts warm water
Candle Wax on Carpet: First try step 1, if stain remains try step 2. Remember, always blot, never rub the carpet or fabric. Rubbing damages the fibers, which may cause the stain to set. Once the stain has stopped transferring to the cloth, blot the area with ¼ teaspoon dishwashing liquid in one-cup water. Follow up with a clean water rinse. Always allow the area to air dry.
Step #1: Fill a pot with ice and place on the wac until it is frozen solid, and then hit the wax with a hammer. Use a vacuum to remove the small pieces of wax.
Step #2: Place a brown paper bag or clean white towel over the wax and heat with a warm (not hot) iron. Move the towel or bag to a clean area a few times. Continue until the wax is gone.
Pet Stains (Urine or Vomit): Nature’s Miracle. You can find it at most large pet stores.