Safe and Green Living: Stain removers

shoe cleaner
Remove winter salt stains from shoes by wiping with a cloth dampened in a vinegar solution. Use 1 tablespoon vinegar to 1 cup (225ml) of water.

Pre-treatment for grass stains
1 tablespoon (14g) baking soda
1 teaspoon (5ml) lemon juice

How do moms know that spring has arrived? Their laundry baskets are suddenly overflowing with kids' jeans that are all sporting ground-in grass stains at the knees. Fortunately, there's a perfectly natural way to get rid of those stains. Sprinkle baking soda on the area, followed up with the lemon juice on top. As the mixture stars to fizz, rub the fabric to make sure it works its way through the stain. Launder as usual.

leather spot cleaner
1 tablespoon (15ml) lemon juice
1 tablespoon (9g) cream of tartar

Try spot-cleaning stains on light-colored leather with a paste made from equal parts lemon juice and cream of tartar. Apply in an even layer and let sit for an hour or two before wiping off with a damp, clean cloth. Note: Make sure to test on an inconspicuous area first, as the lemon could lighten some types of dye.

pre-treatment for kid stains
1 tablespoon (14g) baking soda
1 teaspoon (5ml) vinegar

Ridding children's clothes of grass stains and crayon marks can feel like an uphill battle, unless you decide to rely on a trusty baking soda and vinegar combo to help lift the stains. To use, mix a paste of the baking soda and vinegar. When the fizzing subsides, dip an old toothbrush in the mixture and use to gently work the paste into the stain. Let teh mixture sit for a few minutes and then launder as usual.

carpet cleaner for pet vomit
2 or 3 handfuls baking soda

A sick pet can lead to all kinds of undesirable stains-from grass to bile to whatever was most recently in the food bowl- so make it a point to have some baking soda on hand for fast action. Start by sprinkling baking soda on the mess to neutralize the acids and absorb some of the liquid. Let the baking soda dry, then scrape or vacuum it up. Follow up with a splash of club soda if any stains remain and blot dry. Note: Whatever you do, don't scrub it while it's wet, as this can drive the stain deeper into the fibers.

Baby formula stain remover
1/4 cup (60ml) lemon juice
1/4 cup (60ml) water

Baby formula is full of protein, so it can leave some nasty stains on your little one's clothing and blankets. For light-colored fabric, you can fight stains head-on without resorting to harsh bleachers by keeping a small spray bottle filled with lemon water in the fridge. Combine the lemon juice and water and apply to stained areas as soon as possible. Let air-dry in the sun and then wash as usual.

stain remover
For stains caused by grass, coffee, tea, fruits and berries, mildew and ink, soak clothing in full strength vinegar.

removing tar from jeans
Pour a few drops of vinegar on the stains, then put them in the washing machine and wash as normal.

removing cola stains
Remove spots caused by cola-based soft drinks from 100 percent cotton, and cotton-polyester fabrics. Sponge distilled vinegar directly onto the stain and rub away the spots, then clean according to the directions on the manufacturer's label. This must be done within 24 hours of the spill.

removing white marks when letting hems down
When you let hems down on children's clothes, such as skirts and dresses, there is often a white mark where the fabric was turned up. Warm up your iron, and with an old toothbrush dipped in a little vinegar diluted with a small amount of water, scrub the mark and press. It usually comes right out. If not, then repeat.

removing water stains from leather
Remove water stains from leather by rubbing with a cltoh dipped in a vinegar-and-water solution.

getting rid of underarm marks
Perspiration marks can be eliminated by soaking them with vinegar before laundering in the usual way. To remove the solid residue on the underarm of a shirt left by deodorants, soak the area in white vinegar until saturated, then wash as usual. This removes any odor as well.

Collars and cuffs
Vinegar
Baking soda

Collars and cuffs can be cleaned by rubbing a thick paste of baking soda and vinegar onto the stains before washing in the usual way.

t-shirt whitener
1/4 cup (60ml) lemon juice
1 cup (250ml) water

Whether your once-white t-shirts have suffered a few accidental stains or are now just a tired shade of gray, a dose of lemon juice can dramatically restore their brightness. If you're dealing with specifically stained areas, apply straight lemon juice to the stains (no diluting required); however, if you're looking for an overall brightening, mix the lemon juice and water in a small basin and soak the entire t-shirt in the mixture for up to an hour. Either way, allow the shirts to dry in the sun until desired whitening effects are achieved. Launder as usual to remove the juice.

terry diapers 1
Use 1 cup (225ml) of vinegar in 7.5 liters of water in the diaper bucket to neutralize the urine in cloth diapers. It also helps to keep them from staining.

Safe and Green Living