When applying stain-removing solutions to fabric, it’s best to work at the stain from the back of the fabric and not the front. Never scrub or rub either, this just drives stain deeper into the fabric. Alway tamp or blot your stains away…
Perspiration
Sweat stains can certainly damage fabrics, so staining maybe beyond cleaning if damage has occurred. Perspiration contains chloride salts.
To remove the stains, soak the clothes in warm water with an enzyme pre-soak product (Spectra or Fade Away are two popular brands) or rub the soiled area with white vinegar. Wash in the hottest water safe for the fabric. If the stain remains, dampen and sprinkle stain with meat tenderizer. Let stand for about an hour, and launder again.
Always try a small area to test for colorfastness first.
Problem Stains to Avoid…
Here are the top 5 stains that you want avoid, prevention here is key. Spilling and resulting stains can or will damage as well stain surfaces.
1. Bleach (includes automatic dishwasher liquid)
2. Acids (tile or toilet bowl cleaners, urine or vomit are acidic as well)
3. Hair dyes (dyes…)
4. Alkaline based cleaners (like drain cleaner, or oven cleaner)
5. Kool Aid or other fruity drinks or teas (if its red or pink look out)
Use prevention as the best cleaning technique spills any of these items will present extreme to impossible stain busting challenges.
Clear Web History : Cleaning your internet history on windows XP
Clear Web History
So you have been looking online for a anniversary present, a surprise vacation, or maybe things that you shouldn’t be looking at….here is how to clean or delete internet browsing history on Windows XP. It is a very simple process:
Click on Windows Start Icon in the bottom left corner
Click on “Control Panel”
Double-click “Internet Options”
Make sure the General tab is selected.
Click “Delete” in the Browsing History box.
Click “Delete History”
Click “YES” when it asks if you want to delete all items in your history.
To remove other evidence of where you have been browsing you should also repeat the above for deleting “Temporary internet files” and “Cookies” located in the same Delete browsing history window
Close the Browsing History box
Click OK at the bottom of the General box to exit.
Don’t count on this helping at work where most internet access is logged before it even reaches your work station – as a rule if you wouldn’t want your boss to see what you’re viewing online – just save it for surfing at home!
How to wash your hands…properly
According to the Canadian Pediatric Society here are the four steps to proper hand-washing. I should also add that you wash for about 15-20 seconds, about the same time as it takes to sing the Happy Birthday song.
Four steps to proper hand washing
- Wet your hands under running water.
- Scrub your hands well with soap.
- Rinse your hands under running water.
- Dry your hands with a clean towel.
When water and soap are not available, use premoistened hand wipes or alcohol-based hand rinses. Keep hand rinses out of the reach of children because they may be harmful if swallowed.
Stain busting…basic rules for success
Never scrub or rub a stain! The initial urge is to bring out the elbow grease and muscle your stains away. However it is always best to absorb, blot or rinse your stain away. Rubbing or scrubbing only drives the stain deeper and can even wear down your fabric or carpet weaking the fibers pre-maturely. Start with blotting (look up botting techniques on our site), flush fabric with cold water (heat will set many or most stains). Soaking fabrics and then rinsing before washing. Even try freezing stains and peeling them off. Remember absorb not scrub and your success will increase in your stain busting efforts.
Blotting…say what?
What is blotting? It does sound kind of silly when you say it but it one of the basic techniques in your cleaning arsenal.
One the most common mistakes I see people make when dealing with a spill is grabbing a wet dish cloth or towel. In most cases the best method is to blot or absorb the stain before introducing water or cleaning solution.
Blotting is the act of absorbing a stain with a dry absorbent towel such as a terry towel or even a paper towel (best using white towels so no colors from the the towel will run into the carpet or fabric you are blotting.) Blotting immediately after a spill or stain has occurred is the best way to combat stains. Blot by placing the towel over the stain. First fold your towel in quarters so you can flip over the towel a few times to get the maximum absorbency of your towel. Placing a thick terry towel on a spill on a carpet and applying pressure or weight to the towel will often remove the majority of the stain. Quick action and you won’t even have to spring for any fancy spot cleaners.
Old stickers or decals
Spray with window cleaner or warm soap and water. Scrape of with a scraper or credit card. Depending on the surface WD-40 is effective as well. Just be sure to test a small areas first to be sure the WD-40 has no ill effects. WD-40 leaves an oily residue so it needs to be rinsed with soap and water.
More Back to School Laundry and Household Cleaning Tips
After pushing and fighting your way through the crowds at Staples or Wal-mart to get all your school supplies, if you have younger children, you’ll be getting the standard pen, pencil and crayon stains in clothes. If you have older children or husbands you will have ink stains. Leaving pens in laundry and causing hours of extra work (cleaning ink stains from clothing and the dryer) is standard fare for older kids and husbands to be sure they never have to laundry again. Don’t fall for it.
Crayon is relatively easy to remove from fabrics. Your first instinct may be to scrape off the crayon, but please resist this urge! Instead, liberally coat the area with liquid detergent and let the garment sit overnight. Then, wash the item, following the care label instructions
As for crayon on hard surfaces, spray some WD-40 on your cleaning rag and wipe; it works well.
For dry cleanable items, it is best to leave the stain as is, and bring the item to a professional. The stain will be easier to remove if you don’t disturb it with a potentially damaging home remedy. If you’re finding pencil marks on your kids’ clothes, there’s a quick method of cleaning them up so they look as fresh as the first day of school. Believe it or not, you’re going to start by using the same method you used to get rid of pencil marks back in school … an eraser! Use a clean eraser carefully, rubbing lightly. Then apply liquid soap or a tiny amount of ammonia, using one part ammonia with five parts water. (Remember, only use ammonia in a well-ventilated area and never mix it with bleach or vinegar.) Rinse and then launder.
An eraser is a great cleaning tool if you have scuffs on the kitchen floor or walls. Many times you will have success removing scuffs with an eraser (use a white nylon eraser). Do it before getting the floor wet; you would be surprised how often it works. Hey, anything, which will save you from having to pull out a mop, has got to be a good thing.
Now for the dreaded ink stain. Using hairspray on an ink stain, which is sort of an “old wives tale”, was recommended in the past strictly for its alcohol content. The alcohol or volatile solvent is just the way the goopy stuff is delivered to your hair, the solvent dissipates into the air leaving the “stuff” which makes your hair solid in hurricane force winds. So in a nutshell, hairspray is probably not the best idea for removing something like ink stains. I know the saying “Fight fire with fire” is popular, but “Fight ink stains with goopy hair varnish” is not likely to catch on any time soon.
To remove ink from clothes have terry towels or paper towels, dry-cleaning solvent or rubbing alcohol handy. Always read and follow the care instructions and any warnings on the garment label. First, sponge the area around the stain with the solvent or alcohol. Then apply the alcohol or solvent directly on the stain. Next, place the stain face down on clean white, cleaning towels. Apply alcohol or solvent to the back of the stain. Replace towels frequently.
Continue until no further ink is removed. Then rinse thoroughly. Rub with heavy-duty liquid detergent and launder in hottest water safe for fabric, with bleach safe for fabric. Always check for color fastness first. Some ink on white fabric may be removed with a dye stripper. You should be able to find this in areas where package dyes are sold. For stains on colored fabrics, check for dye stability in a hidden area before using.
Remember, heat sets ink stains. Act quickly as a precaution check your laundry before putting it in the dryer.
How to clean Ivory piano keys
I have a very old piano with ivory keys, however the ivory keys are dirty and turning yellow. Can this be safely cleaned off?
Yes it can be removed or lightened, however it is not advisable, nor is it wise if the piano is an antique. This yellowing can be considered relative to the age of the instrument, and removing it can diminish the authenticity of the piece. Ivory is very reactive to its environment.
It bleaches when exposed to light but the most severe changes are linked to changes in relative humidity and temperature. Low humidity can cause shrinking and cracking, while high relative humidity can cause warping and swelling. Some darkening or “patina” is the result of the natural aging process and because it is porous, ivory is also susceptible to staining. It darkens in contact with the skin or oils and can be stained by corroding metals or other colored materials.
Many liquids, including water and many cleaning chemicals, are destructive to ivory and should be avoided. Ivory will yellow more readily in the dark. If there is a key cover, keep it open so that the keys will be exposed to sunlight. This will not likely improve the present degree of yellowing but it will help to prevent further discoloration.
As far as removing the yellow, it depends how deep it has gone. Often rubbing the keys with #0000(very fine) steel wool will remove the yellow, however it would be best to have someone familiar with restoring ivory evaluate the condition first.
Here are some tips for regular cleaning to keep your piano keys looking their best.
Always begin cleaning with the gentlest method, and gradually use more invasive techniques, as required. Due to ivory’s sensitivity to moisture, only dry cleaning methods should be used. If these are insufficient, consult a conservator with experience cleaning ivory. You must always be careful that you are not trying to remove original surface coats, pigments or patinas! Also, because ivory so readily absorbs oils and stains, wear a pair of white cotton gloves.
1. Soft Brush. Using a clean, soft paintbrush or duster, remove dust from the keys. Work slowly towards the edge.
2. Powdered Eraser. Grate white vinyl eraser, using a zester. It MUST be white vinyl eraser! Gently rub the grated eraser on the ivory, using either the soft brush or your fingertip while wearing the white cotton gloves. Be certain to gently brush away all of the eraser bits when you are done.
3. White Vinyl Eraser. Gently use a white vinyl eraser (un-grated) over the surface of the ivory. Be careful not to apply too much pressure, and to work only one key at a time.
4. Groomstik. Groomstik is a natural rubber product, which is sticky. It pulls the dirt off of the surface of the ivory. It is available through museum supply houses — check with your local museum. Using a small piece of Groomstik, gently roll it across the surface of the keys. Be careful not to pull off any small or loose pieces of ivory, or of pigment, etc.
If these cleaning methods do not work, again, contact a conservator experienced in working with ivory.
