The floors of your home can deteriorate over time or lose their original lustre whether they be made of wood, ceramic tiles or vinyl. Sometimes, the material seems to be permanently damaged. Before throwing in the towel, try some of the following tips to make the stain disappear.
Coffee or Tea Stains
On ceramic (and grout): Tile is usually a breeze to clean, but grout is not. If coffee has discoloured the grout, apply white toothpaste and scour with a brush.
On vinyl flooring: Fill a container with water and add a few drops of lemon juice. Dunk a sponge into the solution, dap to remove the stain and dry with a cloth.
On wood: Soak a cloth in white vinegar and gently press onto the stain until it is lifted. If the wooden floor is waxed, use liquid black soap or ammonia mixed with water.
Wine Stains
On ceramic (and grout): Dissolve 30 ml of baking soda in 120 ml of water. Moisten a rag with this mixture and dab onto the tile and grout.
On vinyl flooring: Dissolve 30 ml of white vinegar in 180 ml of hot water. Use a sponge to clean the spot. If there is no improvement, add baking soda. Don’t let it sit! Rinse quickly and dry with a cloth.
On wood: Soak up the wine with a damp cloth if the spill has just occurred. For embedded stains, add a few drops of lemon juice and clean with a damp cloth. Dry with a cloth.
Pet Stains
On ceramic (and grout): Generally, the grout is more likely to stain and retain odours. Dilute two parts white vinegar in one part water and add a few drops of dish soap. Pour into a spray bottle and spray the affected area. Let stand for 20 minutes. Wipe with a damp sponge. Sprinkle on some baking soda, spray more vinegar and leave for 5 minutes. Rinse and dry.
On vinyl flooring: Pour 30 ml of dish soap and 65 ml of white vinegar into a bucket of hot water. Wet a mop in this solution and go over the soiled surface. Rinse and repeat a few times. Dry. Cover the area with baking soda to absorb the smell and end by vacuuming.
On wood: Wood can retain the smell of urine and this can be very unpleasant! Is the nasty odour still present despite a thorough cleaning? Prepare a solution of soapy water and white vinegar and wash the contaminated area. The smell and ring should disappear.
Tomato Sauce Stains
On ceramic (and grout): Make a paste of baking soda and hot water. It should be relatively thick. Apply over tiles and grout and lightly scrub with a toothbrush.
On vinyl flooring: Soak a rag in 70% alcohol. Gently press onto the spot to remove the excess. Still see some traces of tomato sauce? Squirt on some dish soap and rub gently.
On wood: Cover the stain with flour and let sit for at least 2 hours. This will absorb as much of the sauce as possible. Clean up the flour. Then scrub with a sponge and Pure Brite to make everything sparkle.
Marker Stains
On ceramic (and grout): Methyl alcohol is perfect for dislodging marker stains on tiles and grout. Mix with hot water, then scrub vigorously.
On vinyl flooring: This one is easy! A white eraser is usually all you need to get rid of the marks left by felt-tip pens. Surely, you must have one somewhere around the house! Otherwise, you can also try the above-mentioned suggestion for ceramic tiles and grout.
On wood: Soak a clean cloth with lemon juice and rub the stain. If it doesn’t seem to be working, add white vinegar.
What household tips and tricks for a spotless home could you not live without?