A-Z of stain removal: C
Good Housekeeping's online guide to getting rid of stains is invaluable. Check out stains beginning with 'C' here and scroll down for our A-Z stain removal landing page - save it to favourites and you need never be defeated by a stain again!
CANDLE WAX
On carpets: make sure wax is really hard before trying to remove it by filling a plastic bag with ice cubes and placing it over the area. Scrape off the excess candle wax deposit, then remove remainder by placing a sheet of absorbent kitchen paper over the area and ironing gently. Do not let iron touch the carpet pile or it may scorch and melt. Keep moving the paper around for maximum absorption, and continue until all the wax has been absorbed. Remove any remaining colour or stain with methylated spirits (test first on an inconspicuous area as it may discolour carpet) or use a proprietary carpet stain remover.
On tablelinen and washable fabrics: scrape away surface deposit using the back edge of a blunt knife. Place clean absorbent paper on both sides of stain and melt out remaining wax using a warm iron. Launder the item as normal, using a hot wash if possible.
On upholstery: melt out using a moderately hot iron and white absorbent paper. Remove any remaining colour by dabbing with methylated spirits. On pile fabrics, try removing the deposit by rubbing lightly with a cloth, or melt it out by placing absorbent paper on carpet pile and, if possible, ironing the reverse side.
On wooden surfaces: chip away at the wax when hard, using your fingernail or a plastic spatula. Remove remaining film with a duster, and polish as normal. If heat marking has occurred, rub along grain with a metal polish.
CARROT
On carpets: scrape off any deposit. Treat with Bissell OxyKIC. You may need several applications.
On fabrics: wash using as high a temperature as recommended for the fabric type using a biological powder. Can't be removed from wool.
CHEWING GUM
The best way to remove chewing gum is to place the fabric in the freezer, or alternatively hold a plastic bag of ice cubes on the area to harden the gum. Once the gum is completely brittle, try to pick it off, or, if that doesn't work, try scraping it off using a blunt knife.
On carpets: try White Wizard
On fabrics: wash cottons using a 40°C wash and biological powder. Pre-treat silk with Stain Devils No 3 and wash using a 30°C delicate wash. Pre-treat woollens with Sticky Stuff Remover and wash using a 30°C delicate wash.
CHOCOLATE AND COCOA
On carpets: blot or scrape up any excess deposit using a blunt knife, then treat stained area with carpet shampoo or a carpet spotting kit. Treat any remaining stain with a proprietary stain remover, such as Bissell OxyKIC, then shampoo carpet as normal.
On fabrics; Scrape off excess deposit using the back of a knife blade. Soak in a solution of washing soda or proprietary pre-wash detergent such as Vanish Pre-Wash, then machine wash items at as high a temperature as the fabric allows, using a biological detergent. For silk, try Dylon Stain Solve in a 30°C delicate wash.
On upholstery: Blot or scrape up any deposit with the back of a knife. Use a proprietary carpet stain remover, rinse and blot gently to dry.
COFFEE
On carpets: flush fresh stains with cold water and blot well to dry. Treat dried stains with a carpet shampoo or stain remover such as Carpet Power or White Wizard.
On fabrics: soak in a warm solution of washing soda or pre-wash detergent, then wash at as high a temperature as the fabric allows using a biological detergent. For silk, try Dylon No 2 or Stain Devils No 4.
On leather: treat with the Regency at Home Comprehensive Leather Care Kit, £40 - also effective against ballpoint pen, tea, tomato sauce and yogurt stains.
On upholstery: sponge with cold water, treat with carpet stain remover, then shampoo.
CONTACT ADHESIVE
Dab area with acetone until glue has dissolved. These adhesives harden on contact, so work quickly. Launder fabrics where possible.
CORRECTION FLUID
On Carpets and upholstery: allow to dry and pick off as much of the deposit as possible, taking care not to snag fabric. Treating with turpentine will fade but not remove mark. Remainder can only be cleaned by professional treatment.
On fabrics: try acetone or turpentine followed by repeated washing, but professional treatment is recommended.
CRAYON
On vinyl wallcoverings and bedheads: wipe with a damp cloth. If necessary, use a proprietary stain remover.
On wallpaper and painted walls: impossible to remove - you will have to repaint or patch in section of wallpaper.
CURRY
On carpets: act quickly. Treat small areas with carpet stain remover, such as Bissell OxyKIC, then shampoo. Large stains should be professionally cleaned.
On fabrics: sponge fresh stains with a detergent solution before and after dabbing with an all-purpose stain remover, then machine wash. Treat dried stains on white and colourfast fabrics (except nylon) with a solution of hydrogen peroxide, available from chemists (one part 20-vol peroxide to six parts water), then machine-wash. Heavy stains may not come out. Dry-clean non-washable fabrics.
On upholstery: have professionally treated.
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