The trick to removing a stain from any surface

<p>When it comes to household tasks there’s one in particular that makes everyone shudder. I’m referring, of course, to cleaning. No one likes to clean and no matter how often you clean your home it’s never fun.</p> <p>But that doesn’t mean it has to be difficult. The following guide will teach you the best way to tackle stains on any household surface.</p> <p><strong>Carpet stains</strong></p> <p>While some people may opt to hire a carpet cleaner, there are actually very few carpet stains you can’t clean yourself. Add a splash of vinegar to the stain and dampen a cleaning cloth. Gently pat at the stain and rinse the cloth at regular intervals. Repeat this process until the stain lifts.</p> <p>Then sprinkle bi-carb on the damp area and work it into the carpet a little. Once the bi-carb dries, use a vacuum to clean it up.</p> <p>If you like, sprinkle some lemon juice to freshen things up. If you’ve done everything right you’ll be left with clean, fresh smelling carpets.</p> <p><strong>Tile and hardwood flooring</strong></p> <p>Add vinegar to a bucket of water and use it to mop up as much of the stain as possible. Apply more vinegar directly to the stain. Combine with bi-carb and wait a few minutes for a chemical reaction. You will notice some bubbling and frothing.</p> <p>Gently scrub at any marks with a brush until clean. Finally, use clean water to either wipe or mop the area again to finish things off.</p> <p><strong>Bathroom surfaces</strong></p> <p>Bathrooms are tough to clean but this mixture makes mould and mildew a thing of the past. Combine 1½ cups bi-carb soda, one cup of liquid soap, ½ cup of water and ¼ cup of vinegar together in a bucket.</p> <p>Use this to clean shower screens, remove mildew and scrub tile grout. For maximum effect use a coarse sponge or hard bristled brush.</p> <p><strong>Kitchen benchtops</strong></p> <p>Most modern kitchen benchtops will not stain due to the materials they are made from. However, anyone with a kitchen knows they still require constant cleaning in order to stay hygienic.</p> <p>Use a cleaning cloth and vinegar to keep benchtops sanitised. You can use bi-carb anytime if something more abrasive is needed. This could be useful for things like dried cereal or food stains. If the vinegar smell becomes too much, deodorise with lemon juice.</p> <p><strong>Concrete and garage floors</strong></p> <p>The same ingredients can be used to make a powerful degreaser. This will clean any oil or scuff stains from concrete and other robust surfaces. Simply add one cup of vinegar to a few teaspoons of bi-carb, along with a drop or two of liquid soap. Add this to a spray bottle and fill to the top with warm water. Shake to combine the ingredients.</p> <p>Use the spray bottle to apply the mixture to any stubborn stain you wish to remove. For the best results, apply liberally and wait several minutes before scrubbing with a hard bristled brush. If you have one available you might also wish to use a pressure washer.</p> <p><em>Written by Michael Brooke. Republished with permission of <a href="http://www.domain.com.au" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Domain.com.au</span></strong></a>.</em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Home Hints & Tips

How to remove stains at home 101

<p>If you every had a tricky stain to get rid of in the home and asked for advice from your nearest and dearest, you will likely know that when it comes to ridding stubborn marks, everyone's got an opinion. </p> <p>From removing red wine stains from carpets to food smudges on the couch, here we show you how you can ensure your linens, fabrics and furniture leave no trace of marks that were once there.</p> <p><strong>Carpet</strong></p> <p>Red wine stains would have to be among the most common to dirty carpets – that along with dirt walked in from outside. To remove red wine from carpet, first place paper towel over the stain and absorb as much moisture out of it as you can by standing on it. </p> <p>Then, sprinkle the stain with a small amount of bicarb soda and tap it with your fingers. You will find that the stain goes pale grey. Sponge the bicarb soda out with a cloth wrung out tightly in white vinegar. With heavy stains you may need to do this several times.</p> <p><strong>Sheets</strong></p> <p>To ensure your crisp white sheets stay exactly that, you first need to know what type of fabric you are dealing with. For polycotton, soak your sheets with a small amount of methylated spirits and warm water first, the place two-dessertspoons of Vanish NapiSan into a 12L bucket of hot water and soak overnight. </p> <p>Washing the next day and hang them to dry in the sun. For cotton sheets, simply place two dessertspoons of Vanish NapiSan into a 12L bucket of hot water and soak overnight. Washing the next day and hang them to dry in the sun.</p> <p><strong>Tablecloths and cushions</strong></p> <p>When it comes to tablecloths and cushions, prevention is better than a cure, so simply spray hairspray over the surface of your tablecloths and cushions. Spills can then be wiped away with a paper towel and the hairspray will come out easily in the wash.</p> <p><strong>Outdoor furniture</strong></p> <p>To clean canvas and outdoor furnishing fabric, saturate them with a heavy salt solution (try 1 kilo of un-iodised salt per 9L bucket of water) leave to dry and then just brush off. </p> <p>As the salt water dries the crystals regrow expanding in the fibres and pulling the mould spore out of the fabric with them. Firmly brush the crystals off for a lovely, clean, mould- free finish.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

“Works awesome!”: New cleaning hack will get rid of tough shower stains

<p>A new shower cleaning hack has gone viral, much to the delight of people who clean around the world.</p> <p>The new trick sees people using a magic sponge with a dishwasher tablet inside the sponge which helps remove tough stains.</p> <p>One mum shared her impressive results with the popular Facebook group<span> </span><em>Mums Who Clean</em>.</p> <p>“My husband is a mechanic, so our shower cops a lot from all his hand washes to get the grease off,” Lauren said.</p> <p>“I tried the magic sponge and dishwasher tablet. Five minutes and not much effort!”</p> <p>She revealed her technique, explaining that she lets the magic sponge get very wet before removing part of the sponge and inserting the dishwasher tablet into the sponge.</p> <p>Lauren explained that she removed the “power ball” part of the dishwasher tablet.</p> <p><img style="width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7836176/body-shower.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/c465a27f9a174cbaa03c3359a3a28a69" /></p> <p>Other group members excitedly revealed that they had tried the hack with exciting results.</p> <p>“I did the same thing tonight! Amazing results here too!” said one.</p> <p>Added another: “Works awesome! Did mine today with the same trick, it’s never been this clean before!”</p> <p>Wrote a third: “I gave it a go and worked a dream. Didn’t even have to scrub hard.”</p> <p>Said one more: “I used this as well on shower I had scrubbed with everything. Worked like a charm.”</p> <p><em>Photo credits:<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/mumswhoclean/" target="_blank">Facebook / Mums Who Clean</a></em></p>

Home Hints & Tips

6 hacks to remove water stains from wood

<p>Grab any of these household products and you’ll be able to buff out those water rings, easy.</p> <p><strong>1. Baking Soda</strong></p> <p>Get those white marks—caused by hot cups or sweating glasses—off your coffee table or other wooden furniture by making a paste of one tablespoon baking soda and one teaspoon water.</p> <p>Gently rub the spot in a circular motion until it disappears.</p> <p>Remember not to use too much water to remove water stains from wood.</p> <p><strong>2. Petroleum Jelly</strong></p> <p>Your most recent party left lots of watermark rings on your wood furniture.</p> <p>To make them disappear, apply petroleum jelly and let it sit overnight.</p> <p>In the morning, wipe the watermark away with the jelly.</p> <p><strong>3. Toothpaste</strong></p> <p>You leave coasters around, but some people just won’t use them.</p> <p>To get rid of those telltale watermark rings left by sweating beverages, gently rub some non-gel toothpaste with a soft cloth on the surface to remove water stains from wood.</p> <p>Then wipe it off with a damp cloth and let it dry before applying furniture polish.</p> <p>For even stronger cleaning power, mix equal parts white toothpaste and baking soda.</p> <p>Rub the paste parallel to the wood grain, wipe it off, and then polish with lemon oil.</p> <p><strong>4. Salt</strong></p> <p>Make watermarks left from glasses or bottles disappear by mixing one teaspoon salt with a few drops of water to form a paste.</p> <p>Gently rub the paste onto the ring with a soft cloth or sponge and work it over the spot until it’s gone.</p> <p>Restore the lustre of your wood with furniture polish.</p> <p><strong>5. Car Wax</strong></p> <p>Someone forgot to use a coaster and now there’s an ugly white ring on the dining room table.</p> <p>When regular furniture polish doesn’t work, try using a dab of car wax to remove water stains from wood.</p> <p>Trace the ring with your finger to apply the wax.</p> <p>Let it dry and buff with a soft cloth.</p> <p><strong>6. Vinegar</strong></p> <p>To remove white rings left by wet glasses on wood furniture, mix equal parts vinegar and olive oil and apply it with a soft cloth while moving with the wood grain.</p> <p>Use another clean, soft cloth to shine it up.</p> <p>To get white water rings off leather furniture, dab them with a sponge soaked in full-strength white vinegar.</p> <p>Did you know that vinegar can not only remove water stains from wood but also remove blood stains?</p> <p>This article first appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.ca/home-garden/cleaning/how-to-remove-water-stains-from-wood/">RD.com</a></p> <p> </p>

Art

No scrubbing necessary! Genius way to remove stains from stainless steel pots

<p>Unfortunately, dirty pans and pots with impossible to remove stains are sentiments we know all too well in the kitchen.</p> <p>After a few uses or even after one bad mix up in the kitchen, our stainless steel appliances can become scorched and stained, and require a muscle workout to get them looking sparkling clean and brand new again.</p> <p>However, there is a solution that has become extremely popular on social media that has proven to work wonders – and the best part is the cleaning trick requires no elbow grease and zero scrubbing!</p> <p>To get a pot or pan back to its glorious original condition, all you need is a dishwashing tablet, a little time and boiling hot water.</p> <p>By placing a dishwashing tablet in your dirty pot with boiling hot water, the dirt, grime and hard-to-remove stains will lift and instead be replaced with a sparkling, unscratched surface.</p> <p><img style="width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7826196/dirty.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/666454068f4e41649065b66095be0cab" /></p> <p>Dishwashing tablets have proven to be a magic trick in the kitchen – and not just for the dishes.</p> <p>Not only are they reported to do wonders on your stainless steel kitchen appliances, cleaning whizzes say they're also able to transform a dirty oven door and also your clothes as a replacement for laundry detergent.</p> <p>Will you be using this simple trick in your kitchen anytime soon? Let us know in the comments below.</p>

Home & Garden

Homemade carpet cleaner for pet stains

<p>Keeping carpets stain free can be a challenge when your pets are allowed inside. Katrina from <a href="https://theorganisedhousewife.com.au" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The Organised Housewife</span></strong></a> has shared her homemade carpet cleaner recipe to rescue your home from unexpected incidents.</p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Ingredients:</span></strong></p> <ul> <li>Paper towel</li> <li>1 part water and 1 part vinegar in a spray bottle</li> <li>Bicarb soda</li> </ul> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Method:</span></strong></p> <p>1. Use a paper towel to pick up as much solid particles from the mess as you can. If the mess is a solid, vacuum up whatever is remaining. Remove the attachment from your vacuum and use the nozzle to go over the area, left to right, back and forward, several times.</p> <p>2. To remove the odour, sprinkle the mess with bicarb soda and then spray with the vinegar solution. Do not overspray the solution as the bicarb and vinegar will react together. Leave it to sit for 30 minutes to a few hours. The solution will then bring the colour to the surface, making it easy to vacuum away.</p> <p>3. Vacuum up the powder from the carpet and if you can still see a hint of stain, spray again with the vinegar solution and dab a paper towel over the surface to absorb the vinegar. Repeat until the stain is fully removed. Make sure you do not rub the area but only dab/blot it. </p> <p>What are your tricks for removing carpet stains? Let us know in the comments below. </p>

Home & Garden

3 ways to remove coffee stains

<p>Coffee spills always tend to happen at the most unfortunate times, whether that be when you are already running late or in the middle of an important conversation. Here’s what you should do to remove the stain.</p> <p><strong>If you spill it on your shirt</strong></p> <p>Sponge the stain with cool water or soak the shirt in cool water for half an hour. You can pre-treat the shirt with a prewash stain remover and then wash as usual.</p> <p><strong>If you spill it on your couch</strong></p> <p>If you’ve got a stain on your couch, mix one tablespoon of liquid dish soap with two cups of cool water. Using a clean cloth, sponge the stain with the mixture. Continue doing this until the stain disappears and then once it is removed, sponge once more with cold water and blot dry.</p> <p><strong>It you spill it on your carpet</strong></p> <p>If you find yourself in the unfortunate situation where you have spilt coffee on your carpet, blot up as much of the coffee as possible with a paper towel. Then create a mixture of one tablespoon of liquid dish soap, one tablespoon of white vinegar and two cups of warm water. Use a clean cloth to sponge the stain, only applying a little bit of the mixture at a time. Blot with a dry cloth until the stain is gone. Then sponge with cold water and blot dry.</p> <p>What are you secrets to removing stains? Let us know in the comments below.</p>

Home & Garden

The one-ingredient solution for getting rid of hard water stains

<p>If your sink, basin, showerhead, tap or toilet is suffering from a build up of lime scale or mineral deposits, help is at hand.</p> <p>It’s very common in areas of ‘hard water’ for this build up to occur when water dries, leaving the calcium and magnesium behind which is hard to get rid of using bathroom cleaning products.</p> <p>The good news is that hard water stains are actually quite easy to get rid of with one economical product – white vinegar.</p> <p>Get a big bottle from the supermarket and a few old cloths and set to work.</p> <p><strong>Taps</strong></p> <p>Give the area a good clean with traditional bathroom cleaning products. Place cloths in a bowl and cover with white vinegar. Wrap the cloths around the stained areas and leave for 1-2 hours (add more vinegar if the cloths dry out). Remove the rags and see if the deposits have dissolved. If so, scrub with a clean scouring pad. If not, add more vinegar and soak the area for another hour.</p> <p><strong>Shower head</strong></p> <p>Remove the showerhead if possible and soak in a bowl of vinegar for one hour. Rinse the head under a hot tap and towel dry. If you can’t remove it, attach a strong rubber band to the shower head, and then fill a plastic bag (or ziplock bag) with white vinegar. Attach the bag to the shower head securely and leave for an hour to soak. Rinse the vinegar off by turning the hot tap on, or pouring some water onto it. Towel dry.</p> <p><strong>Toilets</strong></p> <p>Empty the water out by turning off the water and flushing the toilet a few times. Place cloths in a bowl of vinegar to soak, and then transfer them to the affected areas of the toilet. Leave for 2-3 hours, adding more vinegar as the cloths dry out. Remove cloths and scrub with a toilet brush. Turn the water on again and flush to rinse off the vinegar.</p> <p>Have you successfully tried any other methods for removing hard water stains? We would love to hear your tips in the comments.</p>

Home & Garden

Simple trick to remove food stains from your plastic tubs in minutes

<p>Have you ever stored red pasta sauce or Bolognese in some Tupperware and then found it was stained orange even after you washed it? There’s no need to chuck it out - there is a very simple way to remove the stains for good.</p> <p>All you need is some baking soda and a little water. Mix it up into a thick paste and smear it all over the affected area. Use a scouring brush to give the stained container a good scrub. Rinse well in hot water and you should find the marks have vanished.</p> <p>Got a stubborn stain that the baking soda paste can’t handle? Try this – fill the container half way with hot water and then add half a capful of food safe bleach. Fill all the way up and leave in the sink overnight to soak.</p> <p>Did you know that baking soda can be used all over the house for cleaning? Whether it’s for <a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/beauty-style/2017/05/10-ways-to-deodorise-smelly-shoes/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">cleaning your oven</span></strong></a>, making your <a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/home-garden/2017/06/homemade-weed-killers-that-work/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">own weed-killer</span></strong></a>, or for <a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/home-garden/2017/08/how-to-clean-your-oven-naturally/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">deodorising smelly shoes</span></strong></a> – this is a product you need to have on hand.</p> <p>Have you tried this tip? Did it work for you?</p>

Home & Garden

3 tips to clean tough stains from baking trays

<p>It may be one of your least favourite jobs but cleaning your baking trays is an unfortunate necessity. Burnt food, grease and grime can accumulate quickly on this kitchen workhorse, especially if you’re leaving it awhile between scrubbings. Sadly, a dishwasher just can’t apply the same kind of focused pressure that a manual scrubbing can. Fortunately, you can return your trays to their former glory with a little bit of elbow grease and some cleaning know-how. Here’s our top three tips for removing tough stains.</p> <ol> <li>If you’re dealing with a greasy tray or burnt and blackened food, ensure you remove any big clumps from the tray with paper towel. You don’t need to scrub, just remove as much grease or loose soot as possible.</li> <li>For a greasy tray, fill your kitchen sink with piping hot water and add a good squirt of a concentrated dishwashing liquid. Pop the tray in and soak for a couple of hours or even overnight. Once the grease has softened, use a soft sponge or cloth (for a non-stick tray) or a more robust sponge or scourer (for a regular tray) to remove remaining grease and oil. Once you’ve done the hard yards, pop into the dishwasher to remove any last traces of residue.</li> <li>For a charred tray, the best technique uses baking soda and hot water. Boil your kettle then fill the sink with the hot water. Add a cup of baking soda and wait for the bubbles to subside. Pop your tray into the sink and leave for an hour or longer. Once the crusts have softened, wipe away with a dishcloth or sponge then pop into the dishwasher for a sparkling clean tray.</li> </ol> <p>Do you have a no-fail method for cleaning crusty baking trays? Share your tips with us in the comments below.</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/home-garden/2016/09/things-you-didnt-know-your-rice-cooker-could-do/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">7 things you didn’t know your rice cooker could do</span></em></strong></a></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/home-garden/2016/10/ways-to-use-hot-glue-around-the-house/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>5 genius ways to use hot glue around the house</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/home-garden/2016/08/easy-trick-to-whiten-yellow-pillows/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The easy trick to whiten old pillows</span></em></strong></a></p>

Home & Garden

Trick to make stained cookware look new again

<p>Cookware looking worse for wear? Before throwing it in the bin and giving it up as impossible to clean, give one of these methods a go. You might just discover your baking sheet has some life left in it after all.</p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">STAINLESS STEEL COOKWARE</span></strong></p> <p>Stainless steel cookware can last forever if treated correctly. That doesn’t mean however that it’s immune from rust and dirt. Try a clean-up job with the following.</p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">You will need:</span></strong></p> <ul> <li>Hydrogen peroxide</li> <li>Baking soda</li> <li>Steel wool/abrasive scrubbing brush</li> </ul> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">How to:</span></strong></p> <ol> <li>Sprinkle on a generous layer of baking soda, followed by a layer of hydrogen peroxide, then a final layer of baking soda.</li> <li>Let sit for a couple of hours (or overnight)</li> <li>Get scrubbing with your steel cool.</li> </ol> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">TO REMOVE RUST</span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">You will need:</span></strong></p> <ul> <li>Pumice cleaner</li> <li>Abrasive pad</li> <li>Oven cleaner</li> <li>Plastic wrap</li> </ul> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">How to:</span></strong></p> <ol> <li>Sprinkle the rust with pumice cleaner.</li> <li>Use the abrasive pad to scrub away at the rust. If that works, rinse your tray and you’re done. If the stain remains, try the following:</li> <li>Spray the rust stains with oven cleaner. Wrap in plastic wrap and allow to sit overnight to heat gently.</li> <li>In the morning, unwrap the tray and place in a hot oven for 20 minutes.</li> <li>Remove bakeware and let it cool before soaking in warm, soapy water and scrubbing off any remaining rust.</li> </ol> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">ALUMINIUM BAKEWARE</span></strong></p> <p>Aluminium cookware can be quite prone to staining. To restore it to its former glory, try using the following.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>You will need:</strong><br /> </span></p> <ul> <li>Water</li> <li>Distilled white vinegar</li> <li>A pot</li> <li>Scrubbing pad</li> </ul> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">How to:</span></strong></p> <ol> <li>Fill the pot with equal parts water and white vinegar.</li> <li>Bring the mix to the boil then allow it to cool to room temperature.</li> <li>Saturate the pad in the mixture and scrub the stains clean</li> <li>Rinse the bakeware with soapy water and leave to dry.</li> </ol> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">GLASS COOKWARE</span></strong></p> <p>Glass cookware is extremely effective but can get messy very fast. To restore sparkle to your Pyrex try and following.</p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">You will need:</span></strong></p> <ul> <li>Baking soda</li> <li>Dish soap</li> <li>Sponge</li> </ul> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">How to:</span></strong></p> <ol> <li>Fill the bottom of your pan/dish with baking soda followed by dish soap.</li> <li>Fill the dish with hot water and let sit for 15 minutes.</li> <li>Empty out the dish and scrub with a regular sponge.</li> </ol> <p>What is your most effective way to remove stains from cookware? Share your tips with us in the comments below.</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/home-garden/2016/08/your-bed-sheets-could-be-making-you-sick/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Your bed sheets could be making you sick</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/home-garden/2016/08/how-to-clean-your-bathroom-like-a-professional/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>How to clean your bathroom like a professional</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/home-garden/2016/08/ways-to-ripen-your-avocado-in-minutes/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">5 ways to ripen your avocado in minutes</span></em></strong></a></p>

Home & Garden

6 steps to a stain-free carpet

<p>We all know the traumatising, heart-stopping moment when something – a drink, an uncapped pen, a saucy meatball – drops to the carpet. And hey, accidents happen. But that doesn’t change the fact that there’s now a tell-tale stain sitting there, serving as a constant reminder of that time. So we’ve got an incredibly simple guide to getting rid of those offensive stains quicksmart.</p> <p><strong>Step one – the solution</strong></p> <p>In a spray bottle, mix a quarter teaspoon dishwashing liquid with one cup of warm water. Make sure your detergent doesn’t have any moisturising ingredients, as these can create extra stains.</p> <p><strong>Step two – the spray</strong></p> <p>Lightly spray the stain with the solution. A spray bottle is perfect for this because it allows you to apply the solution without soaking the carpet, backing, padding and floor underneath – which can cause major damage. Use the solution sparingly – you can always add more if you need to.</p> <p><strong>Step three – the blot</strong></p> <p>Using a clean cloth or paper towel, gently blot the stained area. Make sure you turn the cloth to a clean surface when it absorbs the stain. If the stain is really deep into the carpet, gently work the solution into the fibres with your fingers. NEVER rub the stain aggressively, as you will distort and untwist the pile, which will cause the stain to spread. Continue to spray and blot until the stain is gone, or it no longer is absorbed into your cloth.</p> <p><strong>Step four – the spray, round two</strong></p> <p>Using clear water, lightly spray the carpet to rinse it. With another clean, dry cloth, gently blot the damp area until all traces of your soap solution are gone. Try not to leave any solution behind, as soap will attract more stain-causing agents like dirt.</p> <p><strong>Step five – the stack</strong></p> <p>Place a small stack of a few clean paper towels on top of the damp carpet. Use something heavy to weigh them down (a cast iron pot or encyclopaedia). Leave the towels there overnight to absorb any residual stain as the carpet dries. Don’t skip this step, or you may see the stain reappear when the carpet is no longer damp.</p> <p><strong>Step six – the fluff</strong></p> <p>After a good 12 hours, remove the towels and give the carpet a light fluff with your fingers. Then you can step back and admire your handwork – aren’t you clever?</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/lifestyle/at-home/2015/04/great-laundry-tips/">8 stain-removal hacks</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/lifestyle/at-home/2015/04/great-laundry-tips-and-tricks/">6 laundry hacks</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/lifestyle/at-home/2015/04/dirtiest-household-items/">These are the most germ-filled things in your home</a></strong></em></span></p>

Home & Garden

Most common stains on furniture revealed

<p>You might want to get up from the couch. Those mysterious stains on the sofa have just been named.</p> <p>The number one most common furniture stain isn't at all surprising; we've all had a drunken mate fall asleep and pee themselves on our sofa, right?</p> <p>Right? It's just surprising that slobber isn't the cause of the second most common stain. No, but it is another bodily fluid that, like urine, can often arise as a result of too much to drink.</p> <p>According to new results, based on three years of furniture repair call-outs, vomit comes in at number two.</p> <p>Thankfully, for all the nasty stuff that sits silently under our bottoms, number twos did not make the top 10 most common couch stains.</p> <p>Although, they may explain number five...</p> <p>But, we digress. Number three is far less sinister but equally annoying. Ink stains are not exclusive to our white items of clothing.</p> <p>Our pens also like to express themselves on our furniture. Possibly, it's a result of dropping our pen and paper in a race to clean up the mug of tea we've just spilt on the sofa.</p> <p>For drink stains come in at four. Four is followed by a very curious five, for no one seems to know what that murky, brownish dried mess is. Hmmm.</p> <p>Maybe it was the after-effect of too much six: red wine. Food slops make an unsurprising entry at seven, while water – which we ought to be spilling less of and drinking more of – is eight.</p> <p>Don't cry over your glass of spilt milk, it only just makes the top ten, creeping in at nine.</p> <p>You might want to cry over number 10 though because who wants to waste their chocolate on their couch? Really?</p> <p>According to<strong> </strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.cleanipedia.com/gb/furniture-upholstery/how-to-clean-a-sofa-and-remove-stains-from-furniture"><strong>Cleanipedia</strong></a></span>, there are easy(ish) ways to keep the stains at bay.</p> <p>As far as cleaning products go, they suggest:</p> <p>1. Mild laundry detergent and warm water, mixed well to create suds.</p> <p>2. White vinegar: This is a good choice for removing surface stains, but you'll want to use a soapy solution afterwards to give the area an intensive clean. You'll also want to air the sofa as much as possible afterwards by opening windows or by using a fan to help reduce the smell of the vinegar.</p> <p>3. Baby wipes are ideal for spot-cleaning upholstery. They're very gentle, so they won't damage the material, and they're relatively dry, so there's no chance of over-saturating your furniture.</p> <p>Their top three everyday cleaning tips are:</p> <p>1. Clean up surface stains as soon as possible. Fresh stains are always easier to lift off – keeping a clean sofa will always reduce the time spent carrying out intensive, deep-cleaning treatments.</p> <p>2. Vacuum your sofas and chairs at least once a week to keep dust and dirt to a minimum and prevent grime from becoming ground in with constant use.</p> <p>3. If any parts of the sofa or chair are removable, make sure to wash them regularly. A handy hint is to replace covers while they are still slightly damp, so they can dry around the shape of the sofa.</p> <p><em>First appeared on <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Stuff.co.nz</span></strong></a>.</em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/home-garden/2016/02/household-items-youre-cleaning-wrong/"><em><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">6 household items you’re cleaning wrong</span></strong></em></a></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/home-garden/2016/02/diy-3-ingredient-alternative-to-bleach/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The DIY 3-ingredient alternative to bleach</span></em></strong></a></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/home-garden/2015/12/clever-ways-to-use-salt-at-home/"><em><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">12 clever ways to use salt around the house</span></strong></em></a></p>

Home & Garden

7 simple tricks to keep clothes in perfect condition

<p>From a stain you can’t get out to worn-out soles, here are seven simple tips to help you take care of your clothes better.</p> <p><strong>1. “Iron” your sweater by putting it in the fridge</strong></p> <p>Don’t play fire with the iron when you don’t need to or stretch out your sweater by hanging them up. Simply pop them in a large zip lock bag and put them in the fridge to get out the creases.</p> <p><strong>2. Avoid nasty shocks</strong></p> <p>Keep getting little shocks whenever you wear your favourite pants? You can get rid of static electricity on your clothing by wiping it with the underside of an ordinary tissue.</p> <p><strong>3. Keep shape of boots</strong></p> <p>To prevent knee-length boots from losing their original shape, place old magazines inside them.</p> <p><strong>4. Stretch narrow shoes</strong></p> <p>Stretch narrow shoes to fit your feet using the following method: Pour some water into resealable plastic bags, place them carefully inside the shoes, and the put them in the freezer overnight.</p> <p><strong>5. The secret to removing red wine</strong></p> <p>This may surprise you, but this trick involves pouring more wine on the stain! Pour on some white wine, and then sprinkle baking soda on top of that. Leave for two to three hours and then wash off.</p> <p><strong>6. Save your soles</strong></p> <p>Rub the heels of your feet with a stick of deodorant, and new shoes won’t rub against them.</p> <p><strong>7. Strengthen glasses</strong></p> <p>Glasses coming loose at the edges? You can fix weakened glasses frames by using nail varnish to stiffen them up.</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/beauty-style/2016/03/foods-as-beauty-products-for-face/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>7 foods to use as beauty products for the face</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/beauty-style/2016/03/clothing-items-people-hate/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>5 items of clothing some people loathe</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/beauty-style/2016/02/reason-there-is-a-tiny-pocket-in-your-jeans/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em>The reason why there’s a tiny pocket in your jeans</em></strong></span></a></p>

Beauty & Style

Non-toxic ways to remove hard water stains

<p>If you live in an area of hard water, you will notice that your taps, kettles, bathtub, and other appliances can become covered in mineral deposits. It can cause showers to become blocked, and might even mean expensive repairs are needed for dishwashers.</p> <p>There are lots of commercial products available, but these are made with harsh chemicals that can be toxic to humans.</p> <p>Luckily there are some non-toxic ways to get rid of the gritty deposits.</p> <p><strong>Taps</strong></p> <p>Take a lemon and rub the skin all over a chrome tap. Soak paper towels in white vinegar and place these over the taps for an hour. Remove the towels and give your clean taps a rinse with cold water.</p> <p><strong>Showerhead</strong></p> <p>Take your showerhead off and soak it in a bucket of white vinegar for around four hours. Scrub it, rinse, pat dry, and replace.
</p> <p><strong>Shower Door</strong></p> <p>If you find mineral deposits on your shower doors, give them a spray with white vinegar before cleaning with a cloth.</p> <p><strong>Dishwasher</strong></p> <p>Once a month, place a mug of white vinegar into the bottom drawer of an empty dishwasher. Run it through a full cycle with no other dishes inside and this will help remove build up from inside.</p> <p><strong>Toilet</strong></p> <p>Pour a can of cola, or three cups of white vinegar, into your toilet bowl to remove hard watermarks. Leave for an hour, then flush.</p> <p><span><em>H/t to <a href="http://www.rd.com/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Reader's Digest</span></strong></a>. </em></span></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/home-garden/2016/02/diy-upside-down-tomato-planter/">DIY upside down tomato planter</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/home-garden/2016/02/how-to-create-a-hanging-basket/">A hanging basket step-by-step guide</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/home-garden/2016/01/natural-fertilisers/">5 natural fertilisers that can be found in your house</a></strong></em></span></p>

Home & Garden