Christmas morning is often a wonderful time for building memories, growing closer to each other, and (of course) opening presents. However, once that time of exuberance has passed, what is usually left over tends to look similar to a small bomb having gone off-particularly if there are kids involved. How to clean that mess, and where to begin is probably one of the most common questions that people ask right after the euphoria of Christmas morning has worn off.
That is where HomeMaids' Stain Removal Tips for Christmas can help you. Tony Whittam explains eco-friendly ways to clean up stains whilst being kind to nature and your pocket. We have four suggestions for your christmas shopping list, you know what they say 'forewarned is forearmed'!!
Lemon Juice from fresh Lemons
This is a great stain remover that's not really used enough around the home. It can be used on a huge range of stains and is one of the first things you should try. Lemon juice is mildly acidic, has a bleaching and deodorising effect and also dissolves grease.
For example, it can bleach ink spots on clothing, remove berry stains from your skin, eliminate odours from a cutting board, clean stains from brass, copper and stainless steel cutlery and kitchen sinks, and - especially combined with salt - help shift a whole host of different stains from fabrics.
White Vinegar
A fantastic eco-friendly stain remover, white vinegar is easily available, cheap and harmless to use. White vinegar is a mild acid, it is very effective on certain solid stains, such as limescale and calcium deposits ("soap scum") from hard water - for example, in the shower and bath.
White vinegar can even unclog the washing machine; once a month pour one cup of white vinegar into the washing machine and run the machine through a normal cycle, without clothes (obviously!).
Other stains it works on include stubborn stains on furniture and upholstery, mildew and mould on bathroom tiles and shower curtains, food stains in pots and pans, stains in toilet bowls, perspiration on clothes, scorch marks and animal urine stains in the carpet.
Vinegar is also a great natural air freshener - placing a small bowl of vinegar in the room or spraying some into the air will deodorise a room filled with smoke or paint fumes.
Salt
This is a fabulous stain remover for freshly spilt red wine - be generous with the amount poured on the stain as quite a lot may be required to absorb and lift the stain.
Baking Soda
This is a wonder product that is again, woefully underused in our modern homes. Like lemon juice, it is great for cleaning stainless steel items; it is also remarkably effective on tannin stains from tea and coffee in crockery and crayon marks from walls and wallpaper, just by gently scrubbing with a damp sponge sprinkled with baking soda.
Baking soda mixed with lemon juice, vinegar or even just some water and made into a paste is a great all-purpose cleaner and stain remover. However, probably baking soda's most famous property is its deodorising action - not only does it have the ability to absorb odours but it can neutralise them as well. Thus, it makes a great cleaner for the refrigerator and deodoriser for the dishwasher (sprinkle one-half cup baking soda on the bottom of the dishwasher between loads), as well as masking any odours from pet stains and general odours in carpets.
Just imagine, having these four little beauties in your store cupboard will save you time and money. Time to spend with your family and friends over the christmas period and money left over to start the New Year in the black!!
Orginal Article Published in December edition of Live Ribble Valley Magazine
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