Tracy Simmons

Stains are, unfortunately, a part of life. They are common on everything from upholstered furniture and carpeting to clothes and more. The stained item often winds up in the trash when you cannot remove the stains. The garbage is understandably not the outcome you want if you are dealing with a stain today or down the road. The good news is that you can remove stubborn stains with the right strategy. Learning about the most challenging types of stains and how to remove them can help you overcome your current challenge. What do you need to know about treating the toughest stains?

The Importance of Pre-Treating Stains‍

Did you know that tossing a stained shirt directly into the washing machine or starting to scrub a messy spot on the carpet right away may not yield the best results? Pre-treating a stain is an integral part of stain removal. However, using the wrong pre-treatment method may cause the stain to set in, which can work against you. Because pretreatment is an essential part of stain removal, give it the full attention it deserves.

Grease Stains‍

Whether you are dealing with motor oil, oily salad dressing, or other types of grease, your first step is to pre-treat the stain with a stain removal product or directly with laundry detergent. Allow the product to remain on the stain for at least 15 minutes to break down the oils. Then, toss clothing directly in the washing machine, and wash it with warm water. For carpeting and upholstery, use a hand-held steam cleaning device to target the area directly.‍

Blood Stains‍

If you are fortunate enough to catch a bloodstain before it dries, flush it with cool water. Most of the blood will wash away. If the blood is dry, soak the area with warm, soapy water. Then, launder the item in the washing machine or using a hand-held scrub brush and your preferred cleaning agent.

Permanent Marker Stains‍

Permanent marker is one of the few types of stains that you cannot effectively pre-treat. Instead, you will need to invest in an ink dissolvent. Follow the directions on the packaging carefully for the best results. You can wash or launder the item as you usually would once you remove the stain.

Tannin Stains‍

Tannins are in everything from tea and coffee to tomato sauce, fruits, and more. The best time to address a tannin stain is as soon as possible. Thoroughly saturate the area with cold water, and allow the water to remain on the item for at least 15 minutes. Then, wash or launder the item as usual.

Dyes‍

Regular exposure to various dyes is common. They could be natural coloring in the grass to artificial coloring in your new pair of blue jeans. When these dyes transfer to undesired areas, you should pre-treat them as soon as possible with detergent. After allowing the item to soak with detergent directly on the stain for 15 minutes, you can toss clothing directly into the washing machine and wash it with the warmest water setting suitable for the material. Otherwise, you can scrub the stain using detergent and warm water.

Get the Help You Need Around the House‍

Learning about the most problematic types of stains and how to remove them can be enlightening, but what can you do if you are still struggling to get your home and belongings as clean as you need them to be? The Elite Maids offers the best housekeeping services in Pasadena, CA, and they also serve Palm Springs and other communities in Riverside County and Los Angeles County. Give your home the professional care that it needs by booking your first cleaning service with The Elite Maids today.