5 Everyday Things That Remove Stains

Big stain? Small problem. These common household objects, from salt to toothpaste and more, double as super cleaners so you can clear up those nasty stains with minimal hassle.

Salt: Remove Perspiration Stains

Salt’s the secret to getting rid of those stubborn yellow perspiration stains on shirts. Dissolve 4 tablespoons salt in 1 litre hot water. Just sponge the garment with the solution until the stain disappears.

Ammonia: Remove Stains From Clothing

Ammonia is great for cleaning clothes. Here are some ways you can use it to remove a variety of stains. Be sure to dilute ammonia with at least 50 percent water before applying it to silk, wool, or spandex.

• Rub out perspiration, blood, and urine stains on clothing by dabbing the area with a half-strength solution of ammonia and water before laundering.

• Remove most non-oily stains by making a mixture of equal parts ammonia, water, and dishwashing liquid. Put it in an empty spray bottle, shake well, and apply directly to the stain. Let it set for two or three minutes, and then rinse out.

• To erase pencil marks from clothing, use a few drops of undiluted ammonia and then rinse. If that doesn’t work, put a little laundry detergent on the stain and rinse again.

• You can even remove washed-in paint stains from clothes by saturating them several times with a half-ammonia, half-turpentine solution, and then tossing them into the wash.

Baby Oil: Polish Leather Bags and Shoes

Just a few drops of baby oil applied with a soft cloth can add new life to an old leather bag or pair of patent-leather shoes. Don’t forget to wipe away any oil remaining on the leather when you’re done.

Toothpaste: Remove Ink or Lipstick Stains From Fabric

When a pen has leaked in the pocket of a shirt, try this. It may or may not work, depending on the fabric and the ink, but it is certainly worth a try before consigning the shirt to decorating duty. Put white non-gel toothpaste on the stain and rub the fabric vigorously together. Rinse with water. If some of the ink has come out, repeat the process a few more times until you get rid of all the ink. The same process should also work for lipstick.

Chalk: Remove Grease Spots

Rub chalk on a grease spot on clothing or table linens and let it absorb the oil before you brush it off. If the stain lingers, rub chalk into it again before laundering. Get rid of ring-around-the-collar stains too. Mark the stains heavily with chalk before laundering. The chalk will absorb the oils that hold dirt in.