How to clean tough stains like a Pro

Gum, lipsticks, shoe and nail polish, we all know them for their notorious habit of sticking to the surfaces of our furniture and not easily letting go. To the ill-advised, they make carpet and home unnecessarily complicated. But that is about to be a thing of the past. Today, we give you insights into the proper cleaning of tough gum, lipstick, shoe, and nail polish stains. With the right techniques and products, you can clean tough stains like a Pro, making your home feel fresh and clean again. Without further ado, let’s dive right in!

Gum

Gums are really fun, in the mouth. But when they get on surfaces, well, you know it. They can be a real pain. Gums getting on surfaces sometimes can’t be avoided, especially if you have kids in your home. Other times it could just be adults who accidentally lose control of their mouths and let gum out. Sometimes gum can fall out of a trash can and get pressed into furniture or flooring. Next time gum shows up somewhere it doesn’t belong, try these methods to clean tough stains like a pro:

• Ensure the gum is dried and hardened by using a can of compressed air or ice or an ice pack (be sure to keep moisture from ice away from the gum). Take a dull scraper to scrape up and lift off the gum. This can work on carpets as well, just be extra careful to avoid damage to the carpet fibers. Vacuum the area and wash with warm soapy water.
• Apply extra strength duct tape to the gum and quickly lift the tape, repeat until the gum is removed.
• Using a microfiber cloth, apply a product like Goo-Gone. Use circular motions and pressure to loosen the gum.

Lipstick Stains

Lipsticks look unbelievably good on the lips – female lips I might add – but not so much on carpets and household furniture. With the way lipsticks are made to stick to the lips for long periods of time, you can see how that will be a problem when it gets on wooden surfaces. If you’re dealing with stubborn stains like these, it’s essential to know how to clean tough stains like a Pro. With the right cleaning methods, you can save your furniture and carpets from lasting damage.

Lipstick from a napkin, a glass tipping onto the carpet, or simply falling asleep on your sofa before removing your makeup can leave embarrassing red marks. Don’t worry, though—by following these tips, you can clean tough stains like a pro and restore your carpet or furniture to its pre-kissed glory.

• If the lipstick has not dried, apply toothpaste to the area to help remove the stain.
• If the lipstick has dried, use a plastic knife or a scraper to remove as much as possible.
• Soak a cloth in ammonia and gently blot at the stain. Remove ammonia from the surface with a clean cloth which has been soaked in water.
• Spray hairspray onto the stain, let sit for roughly 5 minutes and wipe down the area with a dry, clean cloth.

Unfortunately, lipstick is a very stubborn thing to remove, but Accents in Cleaning can help you remove any and all stains.

Shoe/Nail Polish

Shoe polish can make work boots and dress shoes look amazing. Whether you have a housemate who is in the military or someone who just likes polished shoes, somewhere in your house is bound to end up with a little spilled shoe polish. If that happens, knowing how to clean tough stains like a Pro will save your furniture or carpet. With the right technique and tools, you can get rid of those stains quickly and efficiently.

• Scrape away as much as possible (without damaging the carpet or upholstery) with a scraper or knife.
• Apply dry-cleaning fluid in a blotting fashion to the stain. Followed by a mixture of ammonia and dish soap applied with a clean paper towel (keeping the clean side on the stain at all times to reduce spreading). Rinse with cool water and blot with a clean, dry towel until dry.
• Use acetone nail polish remover. That stuff will remove just about anything!
• Mix a non-bleach laundry detergent with cold water and apply directly to the carpet and scrum.
• Combine water and ammonia, and scrub the carpet with a clean rag. Rinse with warm water and blot or vacuum dry.

Though a cliche, it’s important to note that with these stains, a stitch in time saves nine. You want to attack these stains while they’re still young—catch them young, sort of. You’ll save on costs of detergents and time just by simply following these tips to clean tough stains like a Pro. Contact us today and find out why we’re the perfect choice for your carpet needs. Uncover what your carpet’s been missing. Tap here to call (925) 565-9255