But, fortunately, you don’t need to be a pro to get there. In this article, we’re going to share some easy-peasy tips on how to whip your space into shape.

So, let’s dive in and transform your place into the tidy haven you deserve!

Tidying Outdoor Spaces

Tidying up your outdoor spaces can make a huge difference in how your home feels and functions. Here’s how to tackle the garden and garage areas:

Garden Area:

• Organize your gardening tools in a shed or a designated area.
• Group plants and garden beds for a cleaner look.
• Keep the patio or balcony neat with simple, functional furniture.

Garage/Storage Shed:

• Create zones for different items like tools, sports equipment, and seasonal decorations.
• Use wall-mounted storage to free up floor space.
• Regularly declutter to keep only what you need.

An interesting addition to outdoor space organization is having an underground heating oil tank. This smart move not only saves valuable outdoor space but also maintains the aesthetic of your garden or yard. Design your tank with easy access in mind, especially for refueling.

Also, according to experts at romeosfuel.com, you should always book your fuel in advance, especially before the winter season hits. This ensures you’re never caught off guard during those cold months, keeping your home warm and your outdoors tidy!

Tidying Up Indoor Spaces

Tidying indoor spaces is all about creating harmony between functionality and style. Each area of your home serves a unique purpose, and organizing them effectively can greatly enhance your living experience. Let’s dive into some organizing techniques for different areas:

• Living Spaces:

The living room is where life happens. It’s a space for relaxation, entertainment, and sometimes, even dining. Start by decluttering – remove items that don’t belong and simplify decorations. Next, you should choose furniture that doubles as storage, like ottomans with hidden compartments or shelves under coffee tables.

In addition, arrange seating to encourage conversation and ensure a clear path for movement. Lastly, use baskets or decorative boxes to store magazines, remotes, and other small items, keeping the space tidy and inviting.

• Kitchen:

The kitchen is often the heart of the home, and keeping it organized is crucial. Begin with your pantry and cabinets – categorize items and use clear containers for easy identification. Implement drawer dividers for utensils and utilize vertical storage, like hanging pots and pans.

Keep countertops clear except for essential appliances. Regularly clear out expired items and reorganize to ensure everything is within easy reach. Don’t forget to create a designated area for recycling and waste to maintain cleanliness.

• Bedroom:

Your bedroom should be a tranquil sanctuary. Prioritize under-bed storage for off-season clothing or extra bedding. Use closet organizers to maximize space and keep clothes neatly arranged. Implement a system for regular decluttering of clothes and personal items.

Nightstands should be kept minimal, with only essential items. Consider using calming colors and textures to create a serene environment conducive to rest.

• Bathroom:

Bathrooms, though smaller, can easily become cluttered. Therefore, you should use drawer organizers for toiletries and makeup. You should choose wall-mounted shelves or over-the-toilet storage to maximize space.

Keep daily-use items within reach and store bulk items or infrequently used products elsewhere. Regularly assess and dispose of expired or unused items to keep the space fresh and orderly.

• Home Office:

A tidy home office is key to productivity. Start with cable management to reduce clutter. Use desk organizers for stationery and supplies. Implement a filing system for paperwork to avoid piles on your desk.

Shelves above the desk can be used for books and resources, while a bulletin board or a whiteboard can help in organizing tasks and ideas. Ensure good lighting and a comfortable chair to maintain a conducive working environment.

Bottom Line

And there you have it! Achieving a tidy home with all the essentials is not just about cleaning up; it’s about creating a space that brings you peace and joy. Remember, the key is consistency and adapting strategies to fit your lifestyle. Embrace the journey of organizing, decluttering, and maintaining, and watch as your home transforms into a haven of tranquility. So, take these tips, get started, and revel in the comfort and calm of your beautifully organized home. Happy tidying!

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ICE Cleaning’s mould specialists can eliminate all the mould in your home, including mould in the air. The professional cleaning company’s mould removal services are available nationwide. In an emergency, ICE Cleaning’s technicians can be on site within several hours.

Read on to learn more about how dust can cause mould growth and how to prevent the fungus growing in your home.

Dust is an important food source for mould

Mould feeds off organic material including wood, paper, some types of fabrics, building materials, dirt, and bacteria. As dust consists of mainly human skin, dust provides mould with an excellent food source, enabling it to grow and spread very quickly.

Mould also plays a critical role in the lifecycle of the dust mite. Fungi converts dust into something that dust mites can consume more readily. The mite then eats the fungus, the fungus survives digestion, the fungus eats more dust, and the fungus is eaten again.

Regular cleaning is key to preventing mould

Eliminating mould’s food sources – namely dust, dirt, and bacteria – can reduce the chances it will grow and slow down its spread. Dusting and using antibacterial cleaning agents, alongside other mould prevention techniques, are very effective ways to help keep your home mould-free.

You should pay special attention to dusting and cleaning the areas where mould is prone to growing such as:

• Windowsills and around windows
• Bathrooms and kitchens
• Near pipes
• Attics
• Crawl spaces

Other ways to prevent mould in your home

• Use extractor fans in the bathroom and kitchen while cooking and washing
• Regularly ventilate the property to expel humid air and bring in fresh air
• Avoid drying clothes indoors as this can cause humid air to get trapped in your home
• Allow sufficient air low to dislodge pockets of humid air
• Use a dehumidifier to keep humidity levels below 50% all day
• Have leaks fixed by professionals as soon as you first spot them
• Dry out and clean up after floods within 24-48 hours as mould can start growing very soon after flooding

As soon as you spot mould growing in your home, bring in mould experts. Should you attempt to clean it yourself with mould removers, you might not remove all the mould and it could grow back soon after treatment.

Professionals can safely and thoroughly tackle your mould problem. Visit ICE Cleaning’s website to find out more about its mould remediation services and other cleaning services.

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1. Start with a blotting technique
2. Create a homemade cleaning solution
3. Sprinkle baking soda
4. If necessary, use a chemical spot remover or carpet shampoo for tough stains
5. If necessary, hire a professional

1. Start with a blotting technique

Carpet stains can be a real eyesore, and if left untreated they can become a permanent blemish on your plush floor covering. While there are numerous commercial products on the market to help remove stains, sometimes the simplest techniques can be the most effective. One such technique is the blotting method. By dabbing at the stain with a clean cloth or paper towel, you can remove much of the liquid and prevent it from setting into the carpet fibers. This can make subsequent stain removal efforts much easier and more successful. So next time you notice a stain on your beloved carpet, remember the power of a simple blot.

2. Create a homemade cleaning solution

Keeping carpets clean can be a daunting task, especially when dealing with stubborn stains. Fortunately, creating a homemade cleaning solution can save you a lot of money and hassle. To begin, mix equal parts of white vinegar and warm water in a spray bottle. Spritz the solution onto the stained area and let it sit for a few minutes. Then, blot the area with a clean cloth to remove any excess moisture. Next, combine one tablespoon of dish soap and two cups of warm water in a separate bowl. Gently apply the solution to the affected area and let it sit for another few minutes. Lastly, rinse the area with warm water and blot it dry with a fresh towel. With this easy, cost-effective method, you can keep your carpets looking pristine all year long.

3. Sprinkle baking soda

Carpet stains can be a serious pain to deal with, especially when they seem to resist every cleaner you try. But fear not, because a simple solution might be hiding in your pantry: baking soda. Yes, that humble little powder can work wonders on carpet stains, absorbing the offending substance and neutralizing any odors left behind. All you need to do is sprinkle the baking soda over the affected area, let it sit for a while to work its magic, and then vacuum it up. It might seem almost too simple, but many homeowners swear by this method as a go-to solution for keeping carpets looking clean and fresh. Give it a try next time you’re faced with a persistent stain – your carpets (and nose) will thank you!

4. If necessary, use a chemical spot remover or carpet shampoo for tough stains

Carpet stains can be a real pain, especially when they refuse to budge. Sometimes, even a vigorous scrubbing can fail to remove those pesky blemishes, leaving you feeling frustrated and defeated. But fear not! There are effective solutions out there, such as chemical spot removers and carpet shampoos, that can lift even the most stubborn stains. These products can make all the difference in keeping your carpets looking and feeling fresh. So, next time you encounter a stubborn stain, don’t give up hope – try a chemical spot remover or carpet shampoo and watch those marks disappear!

5. If necessary, hire a professional

Carpet cleaning is an important household chore that should be done on a regular basis. While vacuuming can help get rid of dust and debris, it may not thoroughly clean your carpets. In some cases, professional carpet cleaning services may be necessary to ensure that your carpets are free from dirt, stains, and allergens. A professional carpet cleaner has the equipment and expertise needed to deep clean your carpets and restore them to their original beauty. Not only will this help ensure that your carpets last a long time, but it will also help keep your home healthy and safe for you and your family. So, if you want clean carpets that look and feel great, consider hiring a professional carpet cleaner.

Final Thoughts

All in all, removing coffee and other tough stains from carpets doesn’t have to be overly complex, but there are certain steps you must take for a successful outcome. The blotting technique is the starter of any stain removal process because it helps to absorb some of the moisture so other cleaning techniques can be used more effectively. It’s also important to create a homemade cleaning solution before using anything stronger like chemical spot removers or carpet shampoos. Using baking soda is another great way to help get rid of stubborn stains that won’t budge with other DIY techniques. Ultimately, the key to success is prevention! So be sure to lay down mats or rugs in high traffic enjoyment spots such as the office break room, living room and dining room tables. If a spill occurs, act fast by following the steps outlined above and sooner rather than later you’ll have restored your carpet back to its previous state before coffee or food stain cursed it! If all else fails, you can always hire a professional for assistance.

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So here’s how to remove those ugly and annoyingly stubborn blood stains.

First off, you will remove a blood stain based on where it is. Blue jeans require a different cleaning method than jewelry, for example. So let’s take on the most common victims of pesky blood stains and discover how to make them spotless.

What about fabric? Well, there are so many different kinds of fabric out there! Since a lot of clothes are made of nylon, cotton, and polyester, let’s talk about how to remove blood stains from those types of materials. If a blood stain hasn’t set in much, you can wash the clothes with cold water and usually that will do the trick. However, if this doesn’t work, you still have options. You can soak the blood-stained fabric in liquid laundry detergent, warm water, and ammonia. Then you can scrape or brush off the blood and lightly blot it with a cloth. After the stain disappears, rinse the fabric with water.

For items made of vinyl and most copper and gold jewelry, you can simply apply sudsy water to the blood stain and you’re good to go. Note, however, that silver should be washed with warm water – not cold water.

As well, many materials don’t require very intensive work to get a blood stain out. For concrete, sandstone, marble, brick, and granite floors, for instance, only a sponge soaked in cold water is necessary. For marble, if cold water doesn’t work, you can add powdered detergent to the mix. Same goes for sandstone, concrete, brick and granite – except typically liquid detergent is better in these cases.

Carpets are a lot more challenging than those smoother, rockier surfaces. You’re going to have to rely on some more sophisticated products to remove a blood stain from a carpet. But you might want to mix the carpet stain solution with some detergent as well (in addition to water, of course). It’s crucial that you only gently blot the stain; if you are too aggressive, you’ll only rub the blood more deeply into the carpet, rather than remove it. If you still are looking at that blood stain after all this effort, you might have to turn to ammonia. Use a cloth to gently rub the ammonia and water onto the surface. Let the carpet dry on its own.

(Unlike with many stains that don’t survive when attacked by vinegar, ammonia is more of the standard go-to cleaner for blood stains.)

Leather and suede materials are especially unique when it comes to stains, and blood stains are no exception. They must be handled carefully. Mix some water with the suds from a mild soap (like Dove), and lightly apply it to the stain. Make sure you don’t spread the stain! After this, you can apply some leather conditioner to the area.

If you have a blood stain on wallpaper, you need to try to remove it as quickly as possible. Because once blood gets comfortable on such material, it will stay there for ever. Again, use a cloth dipped in cold water to battle the stain. Make sure the cloth isn’t soaking wet, however, as water can carry the stain to other parts of the wallpaper. After you’ve softly rubbed the stain with the cloth, get a drier cloth to help it dry. You will actually use this same method for wood! However, wood should be exposed to water for less time than the wallpaper.

An additional tip that you might find useful is that peroxide apparently can get rid of an especially irksome blood stain. But considering that peroxide has powerful chemicals, you’ll want to research it before you go around attacking stains with it left and right!

The basic rule of thumb for a blood stain, or any stain for that matter, is to deal with it right away. You may like to put chores off, but when it comes to this, you can’t afford to procrastinate. We all will endure cuts and bruises in our lifetime, but we don’t have to have permanent reminders of it on our clothes, furniture, floors, and walls. And it’s not likely your guests will want to have reminders either!

So hopefully this article has enlightened you about how to clean blood stains and you can make sure that when the color red pops up in your house, it is part of a planned color scheme and not an unplanned accident.

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It’s not so simple. You can’t just throw the mattress in the washer or even wash it off in the back yard with the hose. Well, I suppose that you could but a hose and a bucket of soap is not the most effective cleaning job, nor it is best for your mattress.

Of course by now you’re probably regretting not buying one of those airtight mattress wraps that keep just about everything under the microscope from living in your mattress. Don’t fret. The good news is that when you are through giving your mattress the cleaning of its life (even if it is brand new from the store) you can then go back and wrap it to keep it sanitized and free from life’s little accidents and side effects.

There are numerous mattress cleaning products on the market. However, discerning the good from the bad from the totally worthless takes more than a willingness to read the back of the package containers. Remember that products are also a form of advertising, thus their recommendations are a little slanted. You should be cleaning your mattress once every three to four months under normal circumstances, more often is there are frequent spills, pets, or accidents. Cleaning a spot out of a mattress is not the same as cleaning the mattress in its entirety.

Start by choosing a product that you feel comfortable with. Steam cleaning is a great and thorough method for cleaning a mattress however not everyone is comfortable with the idea. Dry powders generally do not penetrate the mattress fibers well enough to do anything more than leave a pleasant aroma behind. There are numerous detergents that mix well into a solution that will allow you to thoroughly clean the mattress. A lot of people are perfectly happy with diluting their regular laundry detergent with about 5 cups of water for their cleaning needs. This is the cheapest and often the most effective method.

Once you have chosen you cleaning weapon of choice, you are going to want to first attack your mattress vigorously with the vacuum cleaner. Suck up as much as you can with the appropriate attachment before moving onto the next step. Attacking all four sides of the mattress is recommended.

Once that task is complete, you can either scrub the mattress with a mild solution of detergent, or steam clean (my number one pick.) Either way you are going to want to approach the cleaning process methodically to make sure you are evenly cleaning the entire mattress. Do not saturate the mattress, as you are simply trying use minimal amounts of moisture to attack the rest of the ook that lingers in a well slept on bed. Creating a sopping wet mattress will only invite mildew, mold, and a strange wet mattress smell that isn’t that far from the smell a wet dog gives off.

Stains from the inevitable dog, child, or other unmentionable accident are a much harder beast when they are left to sit for a period of time. As soon as the incident has been discovered, the mattress should be cleaned thoroughly. Initially, a wet stain shouldn’t absorb any more fluid. Using a few cloths or paper towels, remove as much moisture as humanly possible from the area. This might take awhile, but a little patience here can really pay off in the long run. Once you are sure you have soaked the moisture clean, scrubbing with the same solution of detergent and water should be enough to get the stain out. A little lemon juice can help with aroma problems as well as color issues. If at all possible, the mattress should spend some time sun bathing. After all, the sun’s intense rays can have a bleaching effect on the mattress stain.

Never ever put a bed back together while the mattress is still wet. Regardless of the detergent or solution that you used, a wet mattress is a wet mattress. Why go through the hassle of cleaning a mattress only to encourage moldy growth to take over. Putting even a slightly damp mattress into a mattress bag will only serve to lock in the moldy growth, giving it a haven to fester and play. This is defeating to your efforts. Even if it means camping out on the couch, mattresses should always be permitted sufficient time and location to dry thoroughly before returning them to their proper location and purpose.

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Five Steps to How to Clean Pen from a Leather Couch

1. First of all, as with most stains, the longer it sits the worse it gets. This means that you should act as quickly as you notice the stain in order to make your job easier.
2. Next up is blotting the stain. Remember that when you are ‘blotting’ you aren’t rubbing it into the leather (or any fabric for that matter) but are instead using a clean, dry cloth to firmly press down on the stain. With an ink stain on leather, you may want to try using a cotton ball. Just be sure not to wipe it in further.
3. Once you have blotted all you can get off, you should get a clean cloth and moisten it just a little. Use soft circular movements to see how much of the stain you can lift. Circular motions will help you to avoid making marks in the leather that you will not be able to remove.
4. If the stain is still there, use saddle soap. There are also other types of cleaners that you can use available in almost any drug store. Just make sure to read the label. You might even want to contact the manufacturer or look at the label on the bottom of the couch to see if a cleaning product is recommended. If you don’t have any leather stain removal products handy, mild shampoo and some water may just do the trick.
5. Let the stain dry. Facilitate the drying process by blotting again with a clean and dry cloth. Let it sit for a few hours so you can see what type of damage is left. There might not be anything. If the ink pen that made the stain dug into the grains of leather, there may be a permanent mark left that any amount of stain fighting won’t get out.

Learning how to remove ink pen from a leather couch brings up another point. Many consumers think that since they are buying leather, the sofa cannot or doesn’t need to be treated by the manufacturer with a scotch guard or stain protectant. Nothing is further from the truth. Before you bring your leather sofa home, ask the manufacturer to pre treat the sofa. They can also use products that will make the leather more supple, reducing the amount of time it takes to break in.

If the stain is not coming out, or has been left by a permanent magic marker, you may want to contact a professional cleaning company or the manufacturer directly to see if there is anything that they can recommend. Often they will see solvents. It is important, if possible, to know exactly what kind of ink made the stain.

When it comes to removing stains, there are of course timeless, tried, and tested home remedies as well. One is to slice a tomato in half and blot the ink stain with the inner side of the tomato. The acid in the tomato is supposed to help break down the chemicals in the ink, making it easier to remove. You can also use milk, following the same steps as above. Remember however, if your leather sofa is light in color, that using a tomato or any solvent that is dark in nature – may cause a stain to the leather bigger than the ink itself. Whether you use milk or tomato, the stain area needs to be blotted dry afterwards.

Also, in order to not ruin your leather furniture, NEVER use products that are sandy or granular in nature – even if they dissolve in water, to remove ink (or anything else) from leather furniture. The scouring nature of these products can leave permanent divots in the leather and weaken the hide making it more prone to tearing.

When you know how to treat stains, even something that seems as terrible as ink on a leather sofa – there is virtually no need to worry. Remember that furniture is meant to be lived on, and that sometimes – especially when you have children, accidents happen. At least with the leather, 9 out of 10 times, you can rest assured that the damage is not permanent. Plus, it’s the battle scars in your house that make it a home!

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Removing the stain with household cleaning products is ineffective. The uric acid contains crystals and salts, which are reactivated by moisture every time you clean them or if the air is humid. Ammonia based products are the worst of household cleaners to use, since there is ammonia in the urine itself. They will keep the cat coming back to the spot instead of deterring him.

Enzyme cleaners are the only known way to effectively treat urine stains and odors. These types of cleaners eliminate the stain and odor by eating away at the crystals and bacteria.

The damage that cat urine can do will depend on the color of the urine. Feline age, dietary habits, and sex will determine the staining power of his urine.

The first step in tackling a urine stain is to clean up as much of the fresh puddle as possible. Use a paper towel or other white rag to absorb as much excess liquid as possible. Do not rub the towel, but rather press down firmly on the spot for thirty seconds. Repeat this until the area is dry. Then you will want to rinse the area with water that is room temperature or a bit cooler. Follow this step with your choice of cleaning methods. These techniques can include:

• Baking Soda. Try sprinkling this common household product over the affected area. Rub the baking soda in to the dampened area and then allow to dry. Vaccuum excess powder once dry. This method works well on surface odors but does not deeply penetrate.
• White Vinegar. Mix ½ cup white vinegar with 1 quart of warm water. Sprinkle this mixture over the stain. Cover the area with towels and place something heavy over it to apply pressure. Remove towels after a few hours and run over with a stiff brush to raise the nap of the carpet.
• Hydrogen Peroxide. Spray a product containing 3% hydrogen peroxide on the area. The blot the area with a clean, white cloth. Blot until the spot is dry. A pet odor neutralizer may need to be used to finish removing the stain.

While it would be nice to know exactly where your cat will try to ruin your flooring, that is not always the case. Cats have been known to urinate on hardwood floors and upholstery.

• Hardwood Flooring. Remove the puddle with paper towels and then wash the area repeatedly with white vinegar. Blot dry and then apply a commercial pet odor neutralizer.
• Upholstery. Blot stain with clean, white towel. Apply solvent in a circular motion. Dry with a cool hairdryer.

Commercial pet odor and stain removers are effective products if used properly and they contain the ability to break down enzymes. Consult your local veterinarian or pet supply store for recommendations on useful products.

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First off, what is a stainless steel appliance? Despite its misleading title, stainless appliances – basically, objects made of stainless steel – are some of the most difficult to keep clean. Something made of stainless steel has a lot more chromium (at least 10 percent more) than its peers, and thus won’t rust or fall prey to various chemicals. While these items are not as vulnerable to rusting, staining, and corroding, however, they have other problems unique to themselves. They’re long lasting but can be a challenge to keep up with.

So before you get to scrubbing down your silverware or cutlery, better get in the know about how to clean stainless steel properly. Especially since more and more folks these days are investing in stainless steel ovens, dishwashers, refrigerators, and commonly barbecue grills – the question of how to clean stainless appliances is constantly popping up.

Whether you’re just curious about how to maintain your appliances or you want to remove frustrating smears and fingerprints (which commonly plague stainless steel), grease, buildup, or even get rid of plain old stains (don’t take the word “stainless” too literally!), there is an answer for you here.

Steps for Cleaning Stainless Appliances

First off, it’s important to routinely clean stainless steel, as the protective layer that so beautifully prevents corrosion is hindered if there is dirt or food buildup blocking oxygen from interacting with the steel. In fact, the more you clean stainless steel, the better. You can actually help improve how chemically resistant your appliance is by wiping it down frequently! This is not the case for other appliances, made of wood or plastic, etc. Those appliances might actually wear and tear if they are cleaned too often.

Furthermore, in order to find the best method of cleaning for your appliance, you have to answer two major questions: “What is the finish of the steel?” and “What kind of grime am I dealing with?” Appliances with epoxy paint should be treated differently than those with a simple perforated design. (There are more than a dozen stainless steel finishes!) As well, dirt should be handled differently than grease, etc.

But, for the most part, make sure you have some vinegar on hand. Instead of buying expensive cleaning products like steel wool and steel brushes, go with some vinegar and scouring powder (which can be bought or made at home). Brushes can actually lead to rusting, whereas vinegar is harmless. After you take to the steel with some vinegar, then rinse it well with warm water. Water will often leave ugly spots on the steel however. If this is the case, just make sure to immediately and thoroughly dry the stainless steel surface with a towel or two.

Probably the most difficult things to ward off for stainless steel appliances are surprisingly, stains, and also, fingerprints! They cause more of an aesthetic problem than anything. Use a glass cleaner to tackle these problems. Also, sodium carbonate will often do the trick. Again, always follow your cleaning by rinsing the steel with some warm water.

For grease and other oils, you’ll probably want to get some cleaners designed specifically for them. You just have to check that those products are okay for stainless steel before you use them.

As a rule, try to simply keep up with your stainless steel by frequently cleaning it with mere water. Water will take care of buildup in most cases. However, sometimes you have to use solvents to keep your stainless steel shiny and spotless. Just avoid using solvents that have chlorine as an ingredient. Detergents containing chloride are the last thing on earth you should ever put on a stainless steel appliance! In general, however, you have to be careful with powerful solvents. If you’re smoking while cleaning or confound to a small place, don’t use them.

It’s probably a little disillusioning that stainless steel really isn’t quite “stainless,” and can be difficult to maintain in its own right. However, the advantages of stainless steel trump the disadvantages and as long as you clean your steel appliances regularly, you and your barbecue or oven or flatware should be in good shape and last a long, long time.

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First, a few caveats:

Get to the stain as soon as possible so it does not set.

Rubbing can cause the stain to set, so always dab gently, no matter which cleaning method you choose.

Where time allows, test the stain remover on a small, inconspicuous area first to ensure it does not damage the fabric or carpet.

If the garment you spilled on is dry clean only, it is probably best to let a dry cleaner take care of it.

Commercial Wine Removal Products

For both clothing and carpeting, modern science has devised several stain removal products.

If you have spilled wine on yourself, you can use a standard laundry stain remover. Some people recommend Shout. After diluting the stain with water and dabbing up as much liquid as possible, spray the stain with Shout and let it sit overnight. Use warm water to blot up the remaining stain.

For carpets, many people recommend Oxy Carpet Cleaner. It lifts stains and provides some degree of stain protection to the area.

Another product that is highly recommended is Wine Away. This stain remover was specifically created for wine stains on fabric and carpet. Wine Away does not use bleach or phosphates and is derived from fruit and vegetable extracts, making it safe for use around children and pets. This product has been endorsed by many high-profile consumer magazines. If you drink a lot of red wine, Wine Away might be a smart investment.

But what happens if you don’t have any of these products on hand? As our mothers and grandmothers did, you can turn to a few good home remedies.

Home Remedies for Removing Wine Stains

Perhaps the best known home remedy for red wine stains on clothing or carpet is club soda. For clothing, moisten a clean cloth with club soda and then blot the stain. For carpets, pour the club soda on the stain – the carbonation will lift the stain right out.

Another option is white wine, which neutralizes the red wine. Simply pour a little white wine on the red wine stain and gently blot the area with a thick towel. Follow up with your standard cleaning method to wash the stain out.

If you have neither club soda nor white wine on hand, use the one thing that every household is sure to have: salt. Sprinkling salt on the stain prevents it from setting until you can get your hands on an effective stain remover.

Baking soda is another common pantry item that can help combat red wine stains. The general procedure is as follows. Blot up as much of the stain as you can, then pour cold water on the stain and blot again. Continue the cold water/blotting until you cannot remove any more stain. Apply a baking soda/water paste, let it dry and then vacuum. If the stain remains, use a standard carpet stain remover.

If you had no choice but to let the stain sit, you can try soaking older stains in a solution of equal parts lemon juice and water or equal parts vinegar and water.

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What is worse than climbing into bed after a long day, all ready to settle in and drift off into a fabulously deserved sleep than realize that cold, wet feeling at your feet is cat urine? After getting over your emotional reaction to track down kitty kitty and plaster her to the wall with the heel of your foot, you now have to strip the bed, make the bed with fresh sheets, and attack the cat pee before it settles in permanently.

Start with dry cloths or paper towels. First, you want to remove the urine, not spread it through the fibers by adding more fluids to it. Soak it up completely and then move onto the next step of treating the stain and removing the odor.

Removing cat pee from a duvet is a two step process. You want to remove the staining, which isn’t hard, and then remove the odor, which is next to impossible. The staining can be removed in the wash cycle. Most comforters and duvets are capable of withstanding a run through the gentle cycle. Treating the spot can be tricky. Never ever use ammonia based products. Ammonia smells too much like cat urine and will become an open invitation for them to splatter your bed once again.

Never mix ammonia with bleach, either. But you probably know that. For a duvet that can tolerate a bleach and water concoction, this is not necessarily a bad step. However, there are very few perfectly white duvets out there, as eggshell is in this year. God knows that if you have a brighter color, you’re really in for a treat.

Soak the stain in a pretreater. The Oxyclean line actually delivers on most of its promises, with the exception of being colorfast. It is not unusual for Oxyclean to leave white staining behind on colors. Trust me, I have enough faded, whited out blue shirts to be sure that this is true. Oxyclean also requires complete dilution before use. For front loading machines, this is very difficult.

Enzyme based products make the best cat pee remover. They are especially designed for removing not just the stain, but the odor as well. Unfortunately, if a cat continuously pees on the same area, the odor can become permanent no matter what you do. Cat urine is specifically designed to ward off predators, as well as other feline competition. That means the intentionally strong aroma that serves wild cats well can quickly ruin your comforter or duvet with just a few solid dousings.

Once you are sure that the pretreater has soaked in and you are no longer able to smell the urine aroma when you hold it close to your nose, then wash the comforter on the gentle cycle until you are absolutely positive the smell is gone. For most machines, this is twice.

If you are still firmly planted in your Laundromat days, maintain the area your little precious peed on with continuous soaking in fresh water and enzyme based detergents. You don’t want it to dry out until after you have had a chance to wash it thoroughly and get the charming scent precious left behind.

Some people debate about whether to throw the duvet in the dryer or to allow it to dry outside in the sun. In my opinion, the answer to that depends on your climate and the time of year it is. The sun makes a great natural bleaching agent, which means it can help deodorize the duvet or comforter while it is drying. However, if it is January and you live in Minnesota, there isn’t much that the sun is going to offer you. If it is at all possible to dry the duvet in the sun, you are probably going to have a much easier time ridding your bedding of the smell.

When removing cat pee from a duvet always always always, smell check before drying. Even by pressing your nose up tight to the area, you might not be able to smell the residue before the duvet or comforter is thoroughly dry. If by chance you dry it and find that there is still a lingering odor you are going to need to repeat the steps until your comforter or duvet smells like it should. In the meantime, you might want to consider closing the bedroom door until you figure out exactly why your precious one insists on christening your bed.

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