Expert shares top tips on how to clean stains
How to care for stains on various surfaces.
No matter what surface they’re on, stains are always an unwanted mess.
They’re also frequently stubborn and tricky to deal with, as many solutions risk making the situation worse.
Luckily, at ServiceMaster Clean, with over 60 years of expertise behind us, we have the tools and know-how to go above and beyond when it comes to cleaning your flooring, upholstery and other furnishings.
In this blog post, Jennie Holmes from ServiceMaster Clean Leicester shares her expert tips for tackling various types of stains.
The right cleaning solutions to use to clean stains
When staring down a stain, you must use cleaning solutions that don’t exacerbate the problem.
Many home remedies and old wives’ tales about products lying around the home will likely leave you with a bigger mess in the long run.
Most professional products have been created and rigorously tested to ensure the best results and overall safety of you and your floors and furnishings.
Some vital certifications to look out for are Woolsafe-approved products for wool carpets and, generally, any Clean Seal-approved products are best to use.
If you are unsure about the safety or ability of a product or solution, contact a professional. Industry leaders like ServiceMaster Clean will use their own approved products that work far better than a DIY solution.
Many also have commercially available products that distil their expertise and safe and effective cleaning formula into a smaller package for consumer use, like ServiceMaster Spot Hero cleaner, which can tackle stains as they appear on surfaces like carpets.
The best tools to clean stains with
Believe it or not, the best cloths to clean stains with are old-fashioned cloth nappies because they are absorbent and don’t transfer colour.
Alternatively, lint-free cloths will not transfer anything like bobbles or dye to the stain and kitchen towels are great for blotting stains as soon as they happen.
How different stains should be tackled
- For any stain: Remember to always work from the outside in to avoid spreading it.
- For liquids: Remember to first blot stains using a kitchen towel.
- For solids: Scrape the stain before cleaning with cloths and product solutions.
Please never scrub a stain! When cleaning a stain, always dab or use a rolling action.
How quickly do you need to act before cleaning a stain?
As soon as you can for best results. The longer you leave a stain, the more it settles, and you’re more likely to need a professional.
Is water always needed to clean stains?
Water is not always necessary for stain removal. Some fabrics are dry clean only (sofas, curtains and blinds especially.)
If you can use water on the fabric/fibre, warm water is best, but avoid over-wetting as this can lead to problems like mildew and odours.
Steps to take as soon as you notice a stain
- If possible, check that the colours don’t run and pre-test any products or solutions in an inconspicuous area to screen for adverse effects.
- Then, scrape or blot up as much excess product as possible.
- Apply products like Spot Hero, working from the outside and going in to stop the stain from spreading.
- Then, dry as quickly as possible.
Need a professional stain removal?
If you need to remove stains and stubborn marks from your carpets or upholstery and furnishings, book a no-obligation quotation by calling the ServiceMaster Clean Leicester team on 0800 021 3112 or email branches@servicemaster.co.uk.
Or, nationwide, find your nearest ServiceMaster Clean business or book online today.
