A-Z of stain removal: Q-S
Good Housekeeping's online guide to getting rid of stains is invaluable. Check out stains beginning with 'Q-S' 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!
RED WINE
On carpets: act quickly. Sponge with sparkling water and blot dry. Treat with a carpet shampoo and rinse well. If stains persist, try a carpet spotting kit or proprietary stain remover such as Wine Away, then shampoo. Never use salt as this will set the stain.
On fabrics: sponge fresh stains with sparkling water, then follow with normal laundering. Treat dried stains with a proprietary stain remover or a solution of hydrogen peroxide, available at chemists (one part 20-vol peroxide to six parts cold water) - but do not use on nylon and do not soak for more than 30 minutes - then wash as normal. Treat cotton with Dylon No2 or Wine Away followed by a 40°C biological wash.
On upholstery: sponge with warm water and blot well. Treat with an upholstery shampoo.
RUST
On carpets: use a solution of warm water and biological washing powder or liquid (10 parts water to one part detergent), testing first on a small hidden area. If the stain does not come out, try a stronger solution, but you should avoid over-wetting the carpet.
On fabrics: rust stains on clothes that have been through the washing machine are likely to be iron mould - a mould that develops if a rusty mark is left untreated. If your washing machine is old, this may be responsible, so check for any rust marks before and after clothes go into the wash. Wash as normal to remove light rust marks. Treat heavily marked areas with a proprietary rust and iron mould remover such as Stain Devils No 7. Iron mould is easily transferred from one garment to another, so be vigilant and treat affected clothes as soon as possible.
SALT AND WATER MARKS
On fabrics: remove watermarks from viscose by wetting the whole garment to give a uniform finish. This is also worth trying on non-washable silk if the dry-cleaner can't help and you've nothing to lose.
On leather or suede fabrics: let the item dry out naturally at normal room temperature in a well-ventilated room. Brush out marks on suede using a suede brush to even out the colour. On leather, use a proprietary product such as Dasco Clean and Care aerosol.
On leather and suede shoes: moisten stain and rub with a soft cloth, or try a proprietary product - Kiwi has a range. After treating, spray shoes with a water-repellent spray protector.
On nubuck: use special nubuck cleaner such as Dasco Suede and Nubuck Cleaner or Kiwi Select Nubuck Cleaner. Do not use suede cleaners or brushes as they will flatten pile.
SCORCH MARKS
On carpets: for light marks, trim tufts with scissors to remove damaged area. If scorching is heavier, remove any loosened fibres with a stiff-bristled brush, then make gentle circular movements with a piece of glasspaper to hide the area. Contact the British Carpet Manufacturers' Association for companies that will re-tuft or patch a small area.
On fabrics: impossible to remove heavily scorched marks, but you may be able to fade light marks by washing as usual, adding a liquid in-wash stain remover, such as Vanish, or soaking in a solution of 15ml (1 tbsp) washing soda to 500ml (¾ pint) warm water for a couple of hours before normal washing.
SHOE POLISH
On carpets: carefully scrape away excess, dab with proprietary carpet stain remover such as Carpet Power or White Wizard, then use a carpet shampoo to dissolve any polish residue.
On fabrics: first, scrape away deposit and treat them with a proprietary stain cleaner, such as Stain Devils No 5, before rinsing and laundering.
On laminate flooring: try nail polish remover containing acetone or other mild alcohol-based solvents.
On upholstery: scrape away deposit. Sponge with warm water, blot dry, then sponge with biological detergent, avoiding over-wetting and scuffing surface. Rinse and blot dry.
SOOT
On carpets: do not brush. Use the nozzle attachment of your vacuum cleaner to pick up soot residue. Try absorbing stain with talcum powder - rub in lightly, then vacuum away deposit. If stains still remain, try a proprietary carpet stain remover such as 1001 Spot Shot, followed by a carpet shampoo such as 1001 All Purpose and Carpet Cleaner.
On fabrics: vacuum residue. Washing will gradually fade stain.
SOY SAUCE
On fabrics: launder using a biological detergent.
On upholstery: sponge with cold water, then with a biological detergent solution. Rinse and dry thoroughly.
SUNTAN LOTION
On fabrics Trteat cotton fabric with De.Solv.It and a 40°C wash. Try Dylon Stain Remover No1 on silk and De.Solv.It or White Wizard on wool, then wash as normal.
SUPERGLUE
On carpets: sponge area with warm, soapy water to dissolve glue - you may have to do this several times. Be careful not to over-wet carpet, and blot afterwards to remove excess water. If this doesn't work, try a glue remover such as Loctite Glue Remover, a gel available from DIY stores. Test a hidden area of carpet for colourfastness first.
On fabrics: dab with acetone or use a proprietary glue remover.
On skin: use special glue remover made by the manufacturer, or immerse in hot, soapy water to soften.
SWEAT
On non-washable fabrics: dry-clean heavily stained areas. On lightly soiled areas try a solution of white vinegar (15ml/1 tbsp vinegar to 250ml/a third of a pint warm water) to clean and deodorise area, but it may watermark.
On washable fabrics: soak colourfast items overnight. Scrub affected areas with a nailbrush, then wash with a biological detergent, adding Vanish In-Wash Stain Remover to the wash. For stubborn stains, gently work in some of the stain remover or use a solution of half glycerine, half warm water and leave for an hour before washing.
Like our advice? Get the brilliant Good Housekeeping book Spots Spills and Stains
Post your comment
You must be registered on All About You to post comments. If you don't have an account, join now - it's free!
