Mrs Clean's House Cleaning Tips and Stain Removal Help

Carpet Stain Removal

Thu, 11 May 2006 05:54:59 GMT

Carpet Stain Removal
Removing carpet stains from your carpet is essential to living in a clean, well maintained and healthy environment. No matter how or why the stain ended up on your carpet, the fact is that it is there and needs to be cleaned up effectively. Not only is it important to do this for the reasons listed above, but it can also be quite costly to have to replace a carpet because of the many stains on it. Or, even worse, your home’s value has been tarnished as well. Yet, before you begin to worry, use the carpet stain removal methods we have for you here to get you back on track with a clean carpet.

What you need to realize is that there is not one single method to cleaning your carpet. There are plenty of different kinds of stains that will likely land onto your carpeting at one time or another. That’s why there are so many different types of methods to cleaning them up. Below, you will find two removal solutions that work as a general rule. Then, below you will find some more specific solutions for your specific carpet cleaning needs.

Method One
To clean your carpet from virtually any method, do the following.

Mix a solution of a neutral, pH balanced detergent, two teaspoons mild such as dish soap) and a cup of warm water. Apply this to the stain on the carpet. Make sure to blot the stain and not rub it. Blotting will remove the liquid and stain while rubbing or scrubbing it will push the stain further in.
Next, apply a cup of white vinegar and 2/3 cup of warm water solution to the area. Allow this to sit a bit and then blot it out again, with a clean, dry terry cloth or white paper towels.

Keep using these two steps until the stain has been removed. Then, apply a layer of white paper towels or a terry cloth and something heavy on top until the area has dried.

Method 2
When the first solution does not work, or you do not have the necessary ingredients, try this carpet stain removal technique.

Blot up as much of the liquid from the spill as necessary. Use clean, white terry cloths or paper towels on the area.
Mix a solution of just a few drops of dish detergent with one cup of hydrogen peroxide. Apply to the area by blotting it on.
Use a sponge or clean, dry terry cloths to blot it back off again. Do this until the stain comes out and the area is dry.
Now, when you need a more specific type of cleaning, you can use any of these solutions listed below.

Coffee, Red Juice, Wine, Tea, Or Ink Stains
If you have any of these things on your carpet, you can get them out by following this stain cleaning solution.

Blot up any and all liquid from the stain. You should do this as soon as possible and make sure to get up as much of the stain as possible. Do not scrub or rub the stain further into the carpet.

Use club soda on the stain. Apply to the area and allow to sit for just a minute. Then, blot it up again. Keep repeating until the stain is fully removed. Once it is gone, apply clean water to the location and blot up as well. This will be a rinse.
If this does not work, mix ¼ teaspoon of dishwashing soap with a quart of water. Apply to the stain and then blot up to remove the liquid and stain.

Still there? Then use hydrogen peroxide. Allow this to set on the stain for several hours. It will chemically react with it and release the stain. Blot it off again.

Oils and Greasy Carpet Stains
For stains that are greasy, apply a dry cleaning solvent to the area in a small amount. Use a terry cloth to apply it. Blot off and then rinse. If there is still a residue there, you can add a bit of baking soda to the location and allow it to absorb the stain. Vacuum it off.

Chocolate Stains
To get rid of chocolate stains from your carpet, do this. Scrape up and remove any excess that you can. Then, use one teaspoon of dishwashing liquid and one cup of water. Apply gently to the stain. Be very careful not to rub it in. Blot the stain out with a clean terry cloth. Repeat as necessary. Afterwards, rinse with clean water and blot again.

Candle Wax
Have a fallen candle or a few drips on your carpet? If so, scrape off all that you can with a dull knife. Then, place clean white paper towels over the stain and apply a warm iron to it. This will help the stain to move from the carpet to the paper. Keep moving it around until it is totally absorbed. If any greasy spots are left, you will want to apply baking soda to the area and then vacuum up

Removing Odors & Odor Control Tips

Wed, 15 Mar 2006 00:48:23 GMT

Odor Control Tips

If you’re like most people, you absolutely hate strong and pungent odors. It doesn’t matter if it is trash, pet smells, or simply the smell of mildew. Odors can wreck havoc on one’s nose and they are simply nerve/nose wracking. Although air fresheners can help mask some smells, they don’t always do the job of completely removing odors. So, before you get frustrated or hire an expensive odor removal professional, you can take control of those odors before they take control of you. In this article, we will discuss 10 proven tips for removing odors from your home.

General Odors

Sniff, remove and clean. First of all, you should use your nose to do the “sniff test” to detect general odors. This means that you should concentrate on sniffing out the odor by utilizing your sense of smell. Simply, sniff around the area and determine where the pungent smell is coming from. Once you find the item that is causing the odor, you should remove it promptly and dispose of it. After removing it, you should wash the odorous area with warm water and use an antibacterial agent, like Dawn antibacterial soap. Once it is completely clean, you can then air out the area. Follow up with an odor-neutralizing spray like Fresh Wave or put 1/2 cup of vinegar in a bowl and leave it in the affected area for an even fresher and cleaner scent.

Smoke Odors

These can be tough to get rid of but we’ve found that if you place small bowls of pine-sol throughout the house, the odor will be absorbed. If this doesn’t work, you may want to hire a professional cleaner.

Remove Pet Odors

Again, you’ll be required to use your nostrils to do the sniff test. To do this, you should get down low and truly sniff out and smell the area to find the urine stain. Once you find the stain, you should blot out the area with a white paper towel and then use an enzymatic cleaner to completely remove the area which will partially get rid of the odor. Once it is completely dry, you can vacuum with baking soda or some other type of carpet powder, specifically for pet stains. For those older odors that you can’t find with your nose, you should use a pet stain backlight that allows the stain to be seen in fluorescent light. Once you see it, you should attack and then clean it thoroughly with an enzymatic cleaner.

Removing Refrigerator Odors

For odors in your refrigerator, the first thing that you have to do is remove all items from your refrigerator and clean out all offensive items. This means completely getting rid of all smelly items. Then you should clean all trays and the entire inside of the fridge with a mixture of bleach and water or baking soda and water. Once you’re finished, rinse it out completely with clean warm water and then let it air out. After wiping down all items with a clean, soapy cloth and then rinsing with a clean rag, proceed to replace everything and make sure that you leave an open box of baking soda in your clean refrigerator. By doing this, you’ll ensure that your refrigerator stays fresh-smelling.

Get Rid Of Cooking Odors

To remove pungent cooking odors that come from cooking cabbage, cauliflower, etc, you should add a tablespoon of lemon juice to the cooking water. You can also add lemon juice to your dishwasher cup so that it smells lemony clean. For smelly cutting board, you should clean it with an antibacterial soap and then rinse it with baking soda and water. If you want to avoid having stinky hands while cleaning, rub vinegar on them before you get started.

Stain Removal

Thu, 02 Feb 2006 21:36:18 GMT

How To Remove Stains Quickly and Easily

Ok, let’s face it. Almost everyone has gotten a stain on their carpet and didn’t have a clue on how to remove it. They may have tried applying laundry detergent to their stain or perhaps tried adding vinegar to it and ended up with an even bigger stain and ruined carpet. Well, in this brief article, we’ll discuss how to remove all kinds of stains easily and quickly from your carpet. So, get comfortable and get ready to learn as we discuss how to remove stains from your carpet.

Ballpoint Ink Stain Removal:
To remove ballpoint ink, use rubbing alcohol and then wash it using a neutral detergent (containing no bleach) and clean water.

Remove Catsup Stains:
To remove catsup, use a small amount of dry-cleaning solvent. Mix one teaspoon of a neutral detergent with a cup of lukewarm water. Blot. Sponge with clean water. Blot again.

Removing Coffee Stains:
To remove coffee, mix one tablespoon of a neutral detergent with a half cup of water. Blot, repeat, and then sponge it with clean water.

How To Remove Cola Stains:
To remove cola, mix one teaspoon of neutral detergent with 2/3 cups of water and 1/3 cup of white household vinegar. Blot and sponge it with clean water. Repeat.

Remove Ground In Dirt Stains:
Take one teaspoon of neutral detergent and mix with a cup of lukewarm water. Blot. Mix one tablespoon of household ammonia with a half cup of water. Blot. Repeat step one. Sponge with clean water. Blot.

Remove Oil/Grease Stains:
To remove grease, put some talcum powder on the stain and let it sit for a few minutes. Then, you should brush off the powder and then wash the stain with one teaspoon of neutral detergent and 2/3 cups of cold water and scrub brush or sponge.

How To Remove Juice Stains:
To remove juice, take one teaspoon of neutral detergent with a cup of lukewarm water, blot. Rinse with white household vinegar. Blot. Rinse with neutral detergent and lukewarm water again. Sponge with clean water. Blot.

Removing Makeup Stains:
To remove makeup, mix one teaspoon of a neutral detergent with a cup of lukewarm water. Blot. Mix two thirds cup of water with one-third cup of white household vinegar. Blot.

Remove Nail Polish Stains:
Apply nail polish remover. Blot. Mix one teaspoon of a neutral detergent. Blot. Sponge with clean water. Blot.

In conclusion, there are many different stains that you can remove from your carpet and upholstery. You simply have to be willing to utilize the right supplies and put in little elbow grease into the stain. Once you follow our suggestions, you will be likely remove the stain and will salvage your beautiful carpet or upholstery.

House Cleaning Tips

Thu, 27 Apr 2006 21:33:22 GMT

When it comes to house cleaning, you may not be able to cut your chores in half, but you can probably reduce the amount of time you spend. Keep the following tips in mind as you do your house cleaning chores.

Don't backtrack when house cleaning

The cleaning rule is to clean top to bottom, back to front, right to left and work your way around the room, cleaning as you go, just one area at a time. The goal here is efficiency, and not having to backtrack. Carry your cleaning supplies with you in a basket, tote or cleaning bucket so you don't waste time retrieving them.

Use the right house cleaning tools

An example: instead of wiping and rubbing at the gunk that gets stuck to counters and shelves, carry a glass scraper with your cleaning supplies. You'll dislodge those sticky messes with one motion. Another great tool is a toothbrush and toothpicks for removing grime and gunk from cracks and grooves, grout lines, corners, and mold or other unidentified material that builds up in the faucets.

Concentrate when house cleaning

House cleaning is a chore, but if you let your mind wander, you'll spend even more time cleaning. Focus on what you're doing, make every move count, and you'll finish more quickly.

Time yourself when house cleaning

Note your beginning and end time for each room. Try to do the same room in less time the next time you clean. Focusing is the key here, limiting distractions will help.

Carry your house cleaning supplies with you

Not only will you not have to backtrack, but you'll finish your house cleaning faster if you get into the habit of putting a tool or product back in its spot after every time you use it. There less chance the feather duster will be used as a cat toy, or the squeegie will end up in the junk drawer.

Dust first, vacuum last

Start dusting from the top of the highest shelves and corners and the tops of cabinets. These tend to be less dusty than lower shelves. Even if you dust quickly with a feather duster, you'll be moving the dust down to a lower level or the carpet where you can easily vacuum it away.

Use good house cleaning products

There is a new generation of house cleaning products on the market that may be expensive, but worth every penny. Consider using one of the shower sprays that you mist your shower with daily. These prevent mildew and soap scum from building up, allowing you to go weeks without having to get on your hands and knees to scrub the bathroom.

Rinse once, but do a good job when you do!

When cleaning there is a temptation to do half the job and then rinse, to check your progress. This only takes up time. Keep scrubbing until whatever you are cleaning, be it the sink,tub, shower doors and the tiles are completely clean, then rinse. Make sure you rinse well.

Use portable house cleaning tools

Use a whisk broom and mini-dustpan for quick cleanups and dry spills, and a small, hand-held (cannister)vacuum cleaner. Use the portable vacuum between cleaning's to clean pet hair off upholstery, remove lint off the carpet and get rid of new grime or grit that will work it's way into cracks or get tracked around the house if not removed now.

Control clutter

The best rule is to touch it once. Clutter is the maids (and your) worst enemy! Put items away and if you don't need it, recycle it or have a garage sale. Keeping things in their places reduces the amount of time you spend picking them up and putting them away later. Dust bunnies multiply quickly when there is alot of clutter in the home.

Clean your house as a team

If you can get a spouse, child, roommate or whomever to clean with you, the job will go faster, it makes your chores more pleasant too. Just be sure to coordinate efforts, so you don't get in each others way.

Hire a house cleaning service

It's a great idea if you can't keep up with the house cleaning chores. A house cleaning service can do a thorough deep cleaning- this means baseboards, mini blinds, ceiling fans and all the other items that get overlooked. Then you can do the maintenance house cleaning, or even continue with ongoing house cleaning on a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly frequency. Spend the time you save enjoying your family.