General
• To remove stains from counter tops, use a paper towel soaked in a little rubbing alcohol and it will come right off.
• To remove tough toilet stains, use a pumice stone. Empty the toilet bowl of water. Then soak the pumice stone in water. Rub the stains/areas but don't scrub too hard.
• Lighter fluid will remove most stains from porcelain bathtubs and sinks.
• For marks in the tub/tub surround, gently rub with a small dab of toothpaste. Wipe clean with a damp cloth.
• Baking soda will remove almost any stain.
• Use a brillo pad on counters to remove stains of any kind. Use soapy pads that are damp and gently rub in circular motions until the stain is gone.
• A paste made of dishwashing liquid and a generous amount of baking soda takes brown stains out of stainless steel.
• To remove stains easily, mix together white vinegar and lemon juice.
• Use a solution of cream of tartar and hydrogen peroxide paste for stained sinks or tubs. Let it dry after scrubbing before rinsing it. Will even remove rust.
• Use vinegar or lemon juice to remove stains on faucets.
• Don't use harsh scrubbers on faucets. Doing so will cause scratches on the metal surface.
• For hard water or mineral deposits, make a paste of cream of tartar and hydrogen peroxide or cream of tartar and white vinegar. Rub the paste lightly into the stain and allow to it to dry for about an hour. Rinse thoroughly and buff dry.
• Frozen concentrated orange juice can be used to clean stains from "stainless" steel sinks. Apply in a thick paste and allow to sit.
Adhesive Residue
• Cascade powder will remove those adhesive remains of the no-slip things in bathtubs. Wet your tub, cover adhesive thickly with Cascade, let set 30 minutes or so, then use a scrub brush and rinse. It may take more than one application.
Crayon, Ink & Pencil
• To remove ink from counter tops, use a paper towel soaked in a little rubbing alcohol and it will come right off.
• White-Out / Liquid Paper and Permanent Marker Stains: Dab some sunscreen over the stain and rub off with a paper towel. Repeat until stain is gone.
• Blot up the ink with a cloth or blotter. Next, take a sponge and wet it with a solution of Lysol and Water (ratio 1 teaspoon Lysol to 1 Quart water) Gently sponge area till ink is gone. Get clean sponge and rinse with water and then dry.
• To remove felt tip pen stains, rub the stain with soap and a toothbrush. You can also try lemon juice.
• Table salt will absorb ink when it is spilled. Pour salt on the wet ink and continue to add salt until there is no more "wet ink". Then wash.
• For crayon removal, use a blow dryer. It heats the wax and wipes away instantly. If the color remains behind, like red usually does, wet a cloth with bleach and wipe.
• For crayon removal, just wet a sponge and sprinkle some baking soda on the area to be scrubbed or directly to the sponge and rub the crayon right off. Wipe up the excess baking soda and you are done.
• Using Baby oil removes crayon from any surface. Apply a little at a time and gently rub. Brings it right out!
• To remove pencil marks, use an art-gum eraser.
• To remove pencil marks, take about 2 tablespoons of baking soda and mix in water. Dip a white wash rag in the solution and rub the marks away. Wipe away excess baking soda with the same cloth.
• On hard surfaces try rubbing lightly with dry soap-filled steel wool pad to remove crayon. Do not wet.
Drinks
• To remove Kool-Aid from counter tops, use a paper towel soaked in a little rubbing alcohol and it will come right off.
• For coffee rings or spilled drinks that leave a stain on your counter tops take a little drop of liquid dishwasher soap and rub it on to the spot with your finger tips. Let it sit for a few minutes, and wipe thoroughly with a damp cloth.
Dye
• Hair dye on washbasin: Try PEROXIDE GEL (ie. Clearasil) - smear a little on there and leave it a while (something like oxyclean might work too but if it's liquid it will run off - that's why the gel). Peroxide will fade hair dye when it's on your head so it should do the same on your sink. It may take a few times reapplying, but the mark should fade.
Grease
• Remove black grease from whatever by applying Pine Sol to the stain. Just pour Pine Sol directly on the grease spot and rub. You can see the grease melt and dissolve.
• Make cleaning grease splatters on the wall behind the stove easier. First, clean the painted wall behind your stove. Then spray the entire area with a generous coat of furniture polish and buff well with paper towels. You will then be able to wipe future grease splatters away easily with a dry sheet of paper towels.
• Grease splatters are a kitchen’s worst nightmare. Use tile glue and put two or three, whatever you need, floor tiles on the wall behind your cooktop or oven for grease splatters. All you need to do is wipe off the tile. There are many pattern selections that will add color to your kitchen. Makes a great conversation piece as well.
• Uses for Baking Soda: Cleaning stoves and other greasy area -- Use baking soda to clean your stove and tile behind it. It does a great job on grease!
Mold & Mildew
• Remove mildew on shower tiles and grout by making a paste of baking soda and bleach and applying to stain. Wait until completely dry and then wipe off.
• To clean mildew off your shower curtain, use baking soda on a damp cloth or brush.
• To prevent mildew from forming on new shower curtain, soak it in salt water before hanging.
• Pour full-strength vinegar on the shower curtain to remove soap film and mildew.
• To remove mildew, make a mixture of: one-half cup vinegar, one-half cup of Borax cleaning detergent, 2 cups of water. Pour it on the dirty areas and let it sit for a few minutes, and then scrub with a cloth. If mildew is still visible, use the mixture twice.
• Use a toothbrush and baking soda on mildew stains. If it doesn't work, try bleach and let it soak.
• Mildew build-up: Make a paste of vinegar and salt and apply to built-up area.
• Use vinegar to remove mold and mildew and kill bacteria.
• Mildew Remover - Mix 3/4 cup chlorine bleach in 1 gallon of cold water.
• To get rid of mildew on a shower curtain, fill your bathtub with warm water and add one cup of borax. After you soak the curtain for awhile (when the mildew disappears), remove from the water and hang it up.
• Mix two tablespoons of dish detergent and one pint of bleach in a spray bottle. Spray it on the area in question and the mold or mildew will disappear and not come back for a while.
• GETTING MILDEW UNDER CONTROL: It will help to decrease the humidity. Hot showers and baths cause humid air buildup in bathrooms. Controlling the humidity in the air will help to keep mildew from growing. Turn on the bathroom fan! It's there for a reason. Use it. Fans will help pull moisture from the air, preventing the growth of mildew altogether. If you DON'T have a fan, use a dehumidifier, air conditioner, or open a bathroom window to help circulate air. In the winter, turn on the heat. Electric and gas heat will help dry the bathroom faster and remove excess moisture from the air, thus preventing mildew. Use bathroom lighting before, during and after a shower or hot bath. Mildew doesn't grow in well-lit areas. Leave lights on an extra fifteen minutes after showering, this will also prevent mildew. Wipe down walls after the bathroom has been steamy to help prevent mildew and mold buildup. Reduce condensation in the bathroom by running cold water into the bath first. Consider looking into using silicone caulk on the grout to help prevent mildew in the shower. Wipe sinks/showers/bath with a dry towel after using.
Rust
• A paste of borax and lemon juice can be used to rub away rust stains from the tub.
• Use 'Barkeepers Friend' (near Comet powder) for cleaning rusty marks. Its abrasive takes it right off, just be careful to read the label on certain surfaces to avoid damage.
• To remove tough rust stains from just about anything, try Red-B-Gone.
• To remove rust stains, try a paste of scouring powder, cream of tartar and peroxide. Allow this one to sit for 1/2 hour then rinse. Don't scrub, especially on fiberglass tubs.
• Toothpaste removes rust spots and stains. Make sure you use the paste kind and not the gel. The cheap "grainy white kind" works best. Simply wet the area a little bit then squeeze a generous amount of paste over the area and rub it in, then use an old tooth brush to brush away the stain. For stubborn stains, add more paste and some baking soda, then let it soak in for about five minutes then scrub it off.
• To remove rust stains, mix cream of tartar with water to make a paste and place on the rust stains. Allow to sit for awhile, then rub and rinse. You may need to do this a few times.
• To remove rust from the countertop, use toothpaste.
• Frozen concentrated orange juice can be used to remove rust. Apply in a thick paste and allow to sit.
• To remove rust stains, try a paste made with borax and lemon juice and allow it to sit on the stain until dry, then rinse.
• To remove rust stains from sinks and tubs, pour a few drops of hydrogen peroxide on the stain and sprinkle with cream of tartar. Let sit for half an hour then wipe off and rinse well.
• Rusty tile marks can be removed with kerosene.
• Rub stainless steel sinks with lighter fluid if rust marks appear. After the rust disappears, wipe with your regular kitchen cleaner.
• Baking soda, applied with a damp cloth or sponge will remove rust.
• To remove rust spots from chrome or stainless steel, rub the spot with a crumpled-up piece of aluminum foil dipped in Coca-Cola. Once the rust is removed, use a safe rust guard.
• Many older porcelain sinks have overflow outlets which have rusty stains because the porcelain enamel stops at the edge of the hole causing the underlying iron to rust. After cleaning the stains on the porcelain, dry the unenameled iron and apply petroleum jelly generously around the drain hole to repel the water.
• To remove stains from counter tops, use a paper towel soaked in a little rubbing alcohol and it will come right off.
• To remove tough toilet stains, use a pumice stone. Empty the toilet bowl of water. Then soak the pumice stone in water. Rub the stains/areas but don't scrub too hard.
• Lighter fluid will remove most stains from porcelain bathtubs and sinks.
• For marks in the tub/tub surround, gently rub with a small dab of toothpaste. Wipe clean with a damp cloth.
• Baking soda will remove almost any stain.
• Use a brillo pad on counters to remove stains of any kind. Use soapy pads that are damp and gently rub in circular motions until the stain is gone.
• A paste made of dishwashing liquid and a generous amount of baking soda takes brown stains out of stainless steel.
• To remove stains easily, mix together white vinegar and lemon juice.
• Use a solution of cream of tartar and hydrogen peroxide paste for stained sinks or tubs. Let it dry after scrubbing before rinsing it. Will even remove rust.
• Use vinegar or lemon juice to remove stains on faucets.
• Don't use harsh scrubbers on faucets. Doing so will cause scratches on the metal surface.
• For hard water or mineral deposits, make a paste of cream of tartar and hydrogen peroxide or cream of tartar and white vinegar. Rub the paste lightly into the stain and allow to it to dry for about an hour. Rinse thoroughly and buff dry.
• Frozen concentrated orange juice can be used to clean stains from "stainless" steel sinks. Apply in a thick paste and allow to sit.
Adhesive Residue
• Cascade powder will remove those adhesive remains of the no-slip things in bathtubs. Wet your tub, cover adhesive thickly with Cascade, let set 30 minutes or so, then use a scrub brush and rinse. It may take more than one application.
Crayon, Ink & Pencil
• To remove ink from counter tops, use a paper towel soaked in a little rubbing alcohol and it will come right off.
• White-Out / Liquid Paper and Permanent Marker Stains: Dab some sunscreen over the stain and rub off with a paper towel. Repeat until stain is gone.
• Blot up the ink with a cloth or blotter. Next, take a sponge and wet it with a solution of Lysol and Water (ratio 1 teaspoon Lysol to 1 Quart water) Gently sponge area till ink is gone. Get clean sponge and rinse with water and then dry.
• To remove felt tip pen stains, rub the stain with soap and a toothbrush. You can also try lemon juice.
• Table salt will absorb ink when it is spilled. Pour salt on the wet ink and continue to add salt until there is no more "wet ink". Then wash.
• For crayon removal, use a blow dryer. It heats the wax and wipes away instantly. If the color remains behind, like red usually does, wet a cloth with bleach and wipe.
• For crayon removal, just wet a sponge and sprinkle some baking soda on the area to be scrubbed or directly to the sponge and rub the crayon right off. Wipe up the excess baking soda and you are done.
• Using Baby oil removes crayon from any surface. Apply a little at a time and gently rub. Brings it right out!
• To remove pencil marks, use an art-gum eraser.
• To remove pencil marks, take about 2 tablespoons of baking soda and mix in water. Dip a white wash rag in the solution and rub the marks away. Wipe away excess baking soda with the same cloth.
• On hard surfaces try rubbing lightly with dry soap-filled steel wool pad to remove crayon. Do not wet.
Drinks
• To remove Kool-Aid from counter tops, use a paper towel soaked in a little rubbing alcohol and it will come right off.
• For coffee rings or spilled drinks that leave a stain on your counter tops take a little drop of liquid dishwasher soap and rub it on to the spot with your finger tips. Let it sit for a few minutes, and wipe thoroughly with a damp cloth.
Dye
• Hair dye on washbasin: Try PEROXIDE GEL (ie. Clearasil) - smear a little on there and leave it a while (something like oxyclean might work too but if it's liquid it will run off - that's why the gel). Peroxide will fade hair dye when it's on your head so it should do the same on your sink. It may take a few times reapplying, but the mark should fade.
Grease
• Remove black grease from whatever by applying Pine Sol to the stain. Just pour Pine Sol directly on the grease spot and rub. You can see the grease melt and dissolve.
• Make cleaning grease splatters on the wall behind the stove easier. First, clean the painted wall behind your stove. Then spray the entire area with a generous coat of furniture polish and buff well with paper towels. You will then be able to wipe future grease splatters away easily with a dry sheet of paper towels.
• Grease splatters are a kitchen’s worst nightmare. Use tile glue and put two or three, whatever you need, floor tiles on the wall behind your cooktop or oven for grease splatters. All you need to do is wipe off the tile. There are many pattern selections that will add color to your kitchen. Makes a great conversation piece as well.
• Uses for Baking Soda: Cleaning stoves and other greasy area -- Use baking soda to clean your stove and tile behind it. It does a great job on grease!
Mold & Mildew
• Remove mildew on shower tiles and grout by making a paste of baking soda and bleach and applying to stain. Wait until completely dry and then wipe off.
• To clean mildew off your shower curtain, use baking soda on a damp cloth or brush.
• To prevent mildew from forming on new shower curtain, soak it in salt water before hanging.
• Pour full-strength vinegar on the shower curtain to remove soap film and mildew.
• To remove mildew, make a mixture of: one-half cup vinegar, one-half cup of Borax cleaning detergent, 2 cups of water. Pour it on the dirty areas and let it sit for a few minutes, and then scrub with a cloth. If mildew is still visible, use the mixture twice.
• Use a toothbrush and baking soda on mildew stains. If it doesn't work, try bleach and let it soak.
• Mildew build-up: Make a paste of vinegar and salt and apply to built-up area.
• Use vinegar to remove mold and mildew and kill bacteria.
• Mildew Remover - Mix 3/4 cup chlorine bleach in 1 gallon of cold water.
• To get rid of mildew on a shower curtain, fill your bathtub with warm water and add one cup of borax. After you soak the curtain for awhile (when the mildew disappears), remove from the water and hang it up.
• Mix two tablespoons of dish detergent and one pint of bleach in a spray bottle. Spray it on the area in question and the mold or mildew will disappear and not come back for a while.
• GETTING MILDEW UNDER CONTROL: It will help to decrease the humidity. Hot showers and baths cause humid air buildup in bathrooms. Controlling the humidity in the air will help to keep mildew from growing. Turn on the bathroom fan! It's there for a reason. Use it. Fans will help pull moisture from the air, preventing the growth of mildew altogether. If you DON'T have a fan, use a dehumidifier, air conditioner, or open a bathroom window to help circulate air. In the winter, turn on the heat. Electric and gas heat will help dry the bathroom faster and remove excess moisture from the air, thus preventing mildew. Use bathroom lighting before, during and after a shower or hot bath. Mildew doesn't grow in well-lit areas. Leave lights on an extra fifteen minutes after showering, this will also prevent mildew. Wipe down walls after the bathroom has been steamy to help prevent mildew and mold buildup. Reduce condensation in the bathroom by running cold water into the bath first. Consider looking into using silicone caulk on the grout to help prevent mildew in the shower. Wipe sinks/showers/bath with a dry towel after using.
Rust
• A paste of borax and lemon juice can be used to rub away rust stains from the tub.
• Use 'Barkeepers Friend' (near Comet powder) for cleaning rusty marks. Its abrasive takes it right off, just be careful to read the label on certain surfaces to avoid damage.
• To remove tough rust stains from just about anything, try Red-B-Gone.
• To remove rust stains, try a paste of scouring powder, cream of tartar and peroxide. Allow this one to sit for 1/2 hour then rinse. Don't scrub, especially on fiberglass tubs.
• Toothpaste removes rust spots and stains. Make sure you use the paste kind and not the gel. The cheap "grainy white kind" works best. Simply wet the area a little bit then squeeze a generous amount of paste over the area and rub it in, then use an old tooth brush to brush away the stain. For stubborn stains, add more paste and some baking soda, then let it soak in for about five minutes then scrub it off.
• To remove rust stains, mix cream of tartar with water to make a paste and place on the rust stains. Allow to sit for awhile, then rub and rinse. You may need to do this a few times.
• To remove rust from the countertop, use toothpaste.
• Frozen concentrated orange juice can be used to remove rust. Apply in a thick paste and allow to sit.
• To remove rust stains, try a paste made with borax and lemon juice and allow it to sit on the stain until dry, then rinse.
• To remove rust stains from sinks and tubs, pour a few drops of hydrogen peroxide on the stain and sprinkle with cream of tartar. Let sit for half an hour then wipe off and rinse well.
• Rusty tile marks can be removed with kerosene.
• Rub stainless steel sinks with lighter fluid if rust marks appear. After the rust disappears, wipe with your regular kitchen cleaner.
• Baking soda, applied with a damp cloth or sponge will remove rust.
• To remove rust spots from chrome or stainless steel, rub the spot with a crumpled-up piece of aluminum foil dipped in Coca-Cola. Once the rust is removed, use a safe rust guard.
• Many older porcelain sinks have overflow outlets which have rusty stains because the porcelain enamel stops at the edge of the hole causing the underlying iron to rust. After cleaning the stains on the porcelain, dry the unenameled iron and apply petroleum jelly generously around the drain hole to repel the water.
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