It only takes a moment of inattention and a stain appears on the sofa, on the floor or on the furniture. Not just any. Red wine, blood, coffee, tomato juice. Stain - we could name a number of problems. Despite their diversity, they have one thing in common - they will stick to us tooth and nail. Forget the usual cloth, here you have to be smart.
Are you struggling with stubborn dirt, spilled red wine or glass marks on a wooden table? Don't put off cleaning! According to Iveta Čekanová, the main trainer of cleaning ladies from the young Czech agency LidskáSíla.cz, which specializes in household cleaning, try to clean any stain as soon as possible. The correct procedure is from the edges to the center so that the stain does not spread. “When you spill anything, soak up the liquid as quickly as possible with a napkin, tissue or toilet paper. You can also buy a cellulose sponge, which you can rinse with clean water and use repeatedly," advises Iveta Čekanová. The subsequent procedure then differs depending on the stain. You clean wine in a different way, blood in a different way - don't forget to wash the fabrics in the end.
“Red wine requires a quick reaction: immediately pour white wine, sprinkle salt and let it work for a while. Suck up the rest of the liquid with a paper towel," advises the cleaning expert from LidskáSíla.cz. If you spill coffee on a tablecloth, carpet or your favorite T-shirt, sprinkle lemon on the stain and let it sit for ten minutes. Afterwards, wash with lukewarm water or a damp cloth and dry the fabric. What if blood drips? Salty cold water is best for blood. Caution, never use hot water.
Tomato sauce can make a mess not only on clothes but also on kitchen counters. First rinse the fabric with cold water, then thoroughly massage it with a degreasing detergent and leave it on for ten minutes. If you want to get rid of stains on the kitchen counter, sink or even plastic dishes, use a paste of water and baking soda.
A solution of degreasing detergent and water works best on grease. After cleaning, wash the area thoroughly with water and dry with a paper towel. What about wax oil? Accidents with wax or waxes for painting leave behind unpleasant greasy stains. You can get rid of them by placing the fabric between two absorbent paper towels and ironing. Carefully clean any residue with alcohol.
For stains from ink, alcohol marker, nail polish or even asphalt, use special cleaners containing solvents. "However, always use them carefully to avoid discoloration or other contamination of the cleaned fabric," warns Iveta Čekanová.
If you have a pet that likes a carpet or a sofa instead of its toilet, thoroughly pour the stain with a solution of water and vinegar in a ratio of one to one, dry with a cloth, sprinkle baking soda and drip a mixture of peroxide and fabric softener. Massage everything in well, leave it on for fifteen minutes and wash it off with clean water. Then let the cleaned area dry thoroughly.
Natural, unvarnished wood is literally a magnet for glass wheels or even food stains. However, if you treat the wood twice a year with a liquid polish with high-quality waxes or impregnation, you will be rewarded with a long life and a durable surface. And what about stains and maintenance or renewal of the laminate? Use only specified cleaning agents and soft cloths for laminate and lacquered furniture to avoid scratching the surface, experts warn.