There will be times when you’ll have to deal with stubborn stains, tough dirt, or food residue on floors and even on fabric. You can call a referral agency like Mya to help you find a professional house cleaner for your LA home, if the job is really too big for you to effectively handle. Or, you can apply science and mix the right ingredients to create cost-efficient yet potent DIY cleaners. Best of all, these remedies are all-natural, which means you do away with commercial chemical-based cleaners that may harm your health.
Cleaning Wood and Tile Floors
Apart from being all-natural, this method of cleaning tile or wood floors is non-toxic and you don’t have to use a mask or leave the room as there aren’t any chemical fumes to worry about.
What You Need:
- 1 Cup white vinegar
- Water
- Mop or Cloth
- Optional: juice of 1 lemon or Essential Oils
- Bucket
Method:
In the bucket, mix the cup of white vinegar and one gallon of warm water. If this seems too big a batch for the floor you’re cleaning, don’t worry, you can always store the excess mixture for later use. Vinegar is a strong organic cleanser, but if you find its smell unpleasant, just add the juice of 1 lemon to the mixture or a few drops of an essential oil. You should consider alternating with the oils and the lemon juice, as lemon juice has odor-eliminating and anti-microbial properties. Dip the mop or cloth in the bucket, and then wring it out once to remove the excess liquid. Spread the vinegar-water cleaner out evenly across the floor. Repeat until the entire floor is thoroughly scrubbed and shiny, but not saturated with the liquid. Follow-up by wiping the floors with a clean, dry cloth.
Removing Stubborn Pen Ink Stains
Whether a ballpoint pen bled into your shirt pocket, or one of your kids scribbled on a pillowcase or couch, pen ink stains must be worked on immediately.
What You Need:
- Rubbing Alcohol
- Old Toothbrush
- Water
- Washcloth
- Liquid Dish Soap
- Petroleum Jelly
- Mineral Spirits
Method:
First, stop the stain from getting larger by surrounding it with petroleum jelly, don’t use water. Use the old toothbrush if the stain is on a tough fabric like cotton. Soak the toothbrush bristles with rubbing alcohol, then dab and rub the toothbrush on the stain until the ink is gone. If the stain is on a delicate fabric, use cotton balls soaked with the alcohol instead. Gently blot and rub off the stain until it disappears. If the stain remains, apply mineral spirits with a cotton ball after the alcohol. Test the mineral spirits on a small part of the stained fabric before you use it, as it can remove the color of the fabric along with the stain. Dilute a bit of dish soap and use it to clean off any mineral spirit and petroleum jelly residue. Rinse the affected area with plain water.
Cleaning Yellowed Stains on Fabric
Should you notice yellow spots on your favorite linen, they could be a result of aging, improper storage (or lengthy storage), or even improper washing.
What You Need:
- 1 cup Wh te Vinegar
- Water
- Towel
- ½ cup Baking Soda
- 1 Tbsp Salt
- 1 Tbsp Hydrogen Peroxide
- Spoon
- Bucket
- Bowl or small container
Method:
In the bucket, combine the cup of white vinegar with two cups of warm water. Add the stained linen, allowing it to soak in the bucket for at least 30 minutes. Next, mix the ½ cup of baking soda, the tablespoon of salt, and 1 tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide. Using the spoon, stir them together, making a paste. On a flat surface, lay out the towel. Spread the linen on the towel and apply the paste on the stains; let the fabric sit for another 30 minutes. After that, launder the linen. The stains ought to lighten, but, depending on the severity of the yellowing, may not be entirely removed. You may have to repeat the process, and then launder again until the stains are gone. When dealing however, with more delicate fabrics, it is probably best to get an expert in cleaning service.
by: 
