How to Clean Faux Fur

Faux Fur Lining

Colleen asked, “Does anyone know the proper way to clean fake fur?” Faux fur is usually made of a modacrylic, which is extremely heat sensitive.¹ Select one of the steps below to keep your fur looking and feeling clean. You Will Need: Mild detergent A home dry cleaning kit Cornmeal Bran Steps to Clean the Fur: Most fake fur is washable. If possible, turn the garment inside-out before washing, as it can pill.² Wash it on the gentlest cycle of the washing machine with cold water and mild detergent, or hand wash the fur. Allow the fur to air dry…

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How to Remove Oil Stains from Cotton

Olive Oil on Cloth

Moaz asked, “How to remove oil stain from cotton?” Oil stains often come out of clothing during a regular wash. If the stain remains or if you want to pre-treat the stain before washing, use one of the steps below. You Will Need: Dry cleaning solvent A spot remover Acetone nail polish remover WD-40 Lighter fluid Talcum powder Baking soda Chalk Eucalyptus oil Steps to Remove the Stain: One of the easiest ways to remove an oil stain from cotton clothing is to use a dry cleaning solvent.¹ Follow the instructions on the package of your selected solvent, or take…

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How to Remove Sticky Plant Residue from Your Hands

Pruning Plants

Samuel asked, “It has been two hours since I trimmed the bush, and still my fingers are sticky! Does anyone know how to clean sticky fingers?” Hands can remain sticky long after coming in contact with plant sap, even if you repeatedly wash them with soap. However, you can quickly have your hands sap-free by selecting one of the steps below. You Will Need: Butter Oil, such as baby oil or cooking oil Baking soda Rubbing alcohol Steps to Remove the Sap: Get a heaping spoonful of butter and rub it over your hands as you would lotion. Wipe off…

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How to Clean Tree Sap Stains Off Boat Seats

Speed Boat Seats

Ron asked, “What will clean tree sap stains off vinyl boat seats (Pecan tree)?” The stains left by nut trees, such as pecans or walnuts, are mostly tannin stains.¹ These stains can become very difficult to remove if not treated when fresh, so always treat these stains as soon as possible.² You Will Need: Glycerin¹ An enzyme-digester² Rubbing alcohol¹ Baking soda² Steps to Remove the Stain: For old or dried stains, apply glycerin to the stain to freshen it. Allow the glycerin to soak for several minutes, then wipe away the glycerin. Spray the stain with an enzyme-digester that is…

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How to Clean a Beaded Purse

Beaded Purse

Lisa asked, “My beaded purse is dirty. How do I clean the beads?” Cleaning a beaded purse may seem daunting, but with the steps below, you can have your purse restored with ease. You Will Need: Talcum powder A towel A feather duster A hair dryer Steps to Clean the Purse: If you break any of the strings on the purse, it is likely that multiple beads come off.¹ Consider taking a picture of your purse first so that it can be repaired if a string breaks. Inspect the purse for any fraying bead strings before cleaning and repair the…

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How to Clean Vomit Off a Mattress

Striped Socks on Mattress

Rumpelstiltskin asked, “How do I clean vomit off a mattress and what can I use to get rid of the smell? Don’t want to buy a new mattress.” Vomit is one of the more disgusting messes to clean up, and notorious for leaving a long-lasting odor. However, you can have your mattress restored shortly by following the steps below. You Will Need: An organic powder (select one): Sawdust Cornstarch Flour A spoon A Ziploc bag A dustpan Club soda An enzyme-digester Baking soda Vinegar Steps to Remove the Vomit: For particularly liquid vomit, pour an organic powder over the vomit…

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How to Clean Chewing Tobacco from a Dryer

Inside a Dryer

Judie asked, “I, too, have a problem! I had someone leave a can of ‘dip’ in their pocket and it’s left heavy residue in the dryer drum. How do you get this out?” The stains from chewing tobacco are tannin stains.¹Follow the steps below to remove the tobacco residue from your dryer and treat any stains on the drum. You Will Need: Vegetable glycerin Water or carbonated water An enzyme-digester, such as Nature’s Miracle Stain and Odor Remover Steps to Remove the Tobacco: If the stain has dried, dab the residue with glycerin to freshen the stain so that it…

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How to Clean Detergent Stains from Appliances

Detergents on Washer

Chris asked, “I have laundry detergent stains on the top of my dryer. I have tried Magic Erasers and still no luck. Is there anything that can remove these stains?” Many detergents contain colorful dyes to make the solution more visually appealing. If the laundry detergent bottle leaked onto the washer or dryer, chances are there is a colorful stain you are having trouble removing. Try one or all of the cleaners listed below to remove the stain. You Will Need: Oxygen bleach¹ Rubbing alcohol² White vinegar³ Baking soda⁴ Hydrogen peroxide⁵ Paint thinner⁶ Steps to Remove the Stain: Red dyes…

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How to Clean Smoke Stains from a Refrigerator

Cleaning the Refrigerator

Flor asked, “How do you remove a smoke stain on the body of the refrigerator?” Cooking can create smoke and smoke can leave stains on the nearby appliances. Select the cleaner that will be the most safe for your refrigerator’s surface and you will have the smoke stain removed shortly. You Will Need: Baking soda White vinegar Dish soap Formula 409 Steps to Remove the Stain: Baking soda is effective for removing smoke stains from most surfaces. Add one cup of baking soda to five quarts of water. Dip a cloth in the solution and wipe away the soot.¹ Combine…

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How to Clean Car Oil from a Pram

Baby Pram

Rose asked, “How do you get car oil off a pram hood?” If you store your baby’s pram in the garage, chances are you could get motor oil on the fabric. Use the methods below to remove the oil stains. You Will Need: An oil stain freshener (select one): Baby oil Glycerin An oil-absorbing powder (select one): Baby powder Baking soda Cornstarch Salt Sawdust A grease-cutting cleaner (select one): Dish soap Hand sanitizer Rubbing alcohol Steps to Remove the Oil: If the stain is old or dried, you can freshen the stain with some baby oil or glycerin. Place several…

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