With all of the use that the hold button gets, it’s no surprise that dirt and grime start to build up on it. Under the hold button are important electronic parts that cannot get wet. Because of this, we will use a dry method of cleaning and removing the dirt.

• Soft cloths
• Cotton balls or cotton swabs
• Toothpicks

Since moisture is dangerous with sensitive electronics, it is best to do the cleaning by brushing away the dirt and grime that has built up.

1. Start with a cotton swab to gently wipe the area around the button.
2. If the dirt is around the edges, use a toothpick to gently scrape around the edges.
3. Brush the loosened dirt away with a cotton ball or cotton swab.
4. Clean the button as well as possible. If some dirt remains, it is alright as long as it does affect the performance of the button.
5. Some dirt will not come loose without moisture. However, introducing moisture to this sensitive area is risky and may cause damage to the device. If you must moisten your tools, make sure that you remove as much water as possible from the tool before applying it to your ipod, and only use them on the exterior of the button, never in the crack.

• Malfunctioning hold buttons can be a problem with the iPod. Unfortunately, cleaning the button will not fix the problem. There are contact support numbers that can be called on the Apple website. Depending on the warranty, it may be replaceable.

Related guides:

1. How to Open and Clean a Harmony One Remote Control
2. How to Clean a Motherboard
3. How to Clean an Art Print

When batteries corrode, the exterior is damaged and the acid begins to seep out into the battery compartment. If not removed, it inhibits the batteries ability to make proper contact with the terminals so the power can be transferred into the device. The acid can also damage anything it comes into contact with (including you!) Removing this corrosion is easy and safe to do.

• Soft cloths
• Baking soda
• Water
• Vinegar
• Cotton balls or cotton swabs

1. Begin by removing the damaged batteries.
2. It may be necessary to pry them out with a screwdriver or dull knife. Use caution not to damage the already weak exterior of the battery any further.
3. Once the batteries are removed, dispose of them properly and wash your hands well.
4. Wearing protective gloves, use a soft cloth or paper towel to gently wipe off as much of the dry acid as possible. It is best to place this directly into a trash can or onto an old cloth that will not be damaged by the acid.
5. Moisten a soft cloth with vinegar. A mixture of water and baking soda can also be used.
6. Rub the cloth over the affected areas. Fizzing is normal. It is the reaction between the baking soda and the acid from the battery.
7. If the areas are small or hard to reach, a cotton swab can be used to reach them more easily. Be careful not to allow any drips to enter your device.
8. When the acid is removed, wipe the area with a clean cloth moistened with water.
9. Dry the compartment with a soft cloth and allow it to air dry completely before use.

• Acid can damage skin. Wear protective gloves to keep your hands and skin safe.

Related guides:

1. How to Open and Clean a Harmony One Remote Control
2. How to Remove Battery Acid from Wooden Furniture
3. How to Clean Corroded Batteries from a Flashlight

Cola stains are hard to remove in general. When they won’t come off of a hard surface, such as a floor, with normal cleaning, it provides a real challenge. Fortunately, epoxy floors can tolerate most cleaning products, which will help make this stain removal a success.

• Cleaning product (choose one):
  • Simple Green
  • Concrete floor degreaser
  • All purpose cleaners
  • Shampoo (yes – it has worked!)
  • Shaving cream
• Old towels
• Scrub brush

1. Once you have selected a cleaning product, apply it generously to the surface of the stain.
2. Allow it to set for several minutes, so that it can fully penetrate the stain.
3. Next, use the scrub brush to scrub the area. If the stain is large or especially difficult, utilize a motorized scrub brush to make the job easier.
4. Rinse with water.
5. If some of the stain remains, repeat application, soaking and scrubbing. It may be useful to try different cleaning products to find the one that will work best for your particular stain.
6. Once the stain is gone and the area is rinsed, dry with a towel.

• Citrus cleaners are effective stain treatments, but they may begin to strip the epoxy coating if left on too long.
• Any all-purpose cleaner can be used. There are heavy-duty garage floor degreasers that can be used as well. These cleaning products can be found in hardware and home improvement stores. Look in the paint department.
• If the stain cannot be removed, it may have penetrated the epoxy coating and actually be underneath it. If this is the case, it will be necessary to strip the area, clean the stain and reapply the coating.

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2. How to Clean Porcelain Tile Flooring
3. How to Remove Deck Stain from Vinyl Siding

If mold has developed inside of the cushions it is best to replace them. The harsh chemicals needed to kill the mold will destroy the foam. Even with a thorough cleaning, the mold spores will remain and the mold will return. Replacement foam can be found at many hobby stores and can be trimmed to size with an electric knife. It is inexpensive, and the best way to get rid of the mold for good.

Related guides:

1. How to Remove Mold from Wallboard
2. How to Remove Musty Smells from the Dryer
3. How to Remove Cat Urine from Leather Furniture

Oil spills on carpet are some of the trickiest clean-ups in any home. Spilling oil on the hard kitchen floor is frustrating enough, but when it soaks into the carpet fibers, it’s a whole new challenge to pull it out. Fortunately, oil is not permanent and can be removed. Follow these steps and you’ll be on your way to a clean carpet in no time.

• Absorbent cloths/newspapers/brown paper bags
• Grease-fighting dish soap (ex: Dawn)
• Cornstarch (baby powder will also work)
• Vacuum
• Toothbrush
• Bucket
• Sponges or soft cloths
• Water
• Towels
• Patience

1. Begin by soaking up as much of the oil as possible with one of the absorbent materials above. Press towels, newspapers or brown paper bags onto the area to soak up the oil. If using newspaper, do not allow the print to set on the carpet for long or the ink will transfer to the carpet.
2. Once a majority of the oil has been soaked up with the paper or cloths, cover it completely with cornstarch. Brush it over the area slightly to work it into the fibers. The cornstarch will soak up the oil from the fibers, leaving you with less to scrub out later on.
3. Allow the cornstarch to set on the area for at least one hour.
4. Vacuum the area to remove the powder or cornstarch.
5. If the spill was large, repeat with a second coat of powder or cornstarch and allow it to set for another hour.
6. Vacuum the excess away.
7. Now you are ready to tackle the last bits of oil still left in the carpet.
8. Apply a small amount of grease-fighting dish detergent to the area. Spread it around to form a thin layer. Work it into the fibers a little with your fingers so that all of the areas are covered.
9. Scrub with a soft brush or old toothbrush to work it into the fibers further.
10. Removing the dish soap is the most time consuming part of this process. Though only a small amount was used, it suds up when water is added.
11. Pour a small amount of water onto the area and immediately blot it up with a clean cloth.
12. Repeat until all of the soap is removed.
13. If a carpet cleaner is available, it will make this “rinsing” part much easier. Keep in mind that many units do not like suds, and the dish soap suds up when it is vacuumed out. Empty the water container often to keep them from becoming a problem.
14. When the area is completely rinsed, place a couple of towels over the area and press down firmly. This will absorb the extra water.
15. Allow the area to dry completely.

• A fan or dehumidifier can be placed near the area to help speed the drying process. Allowing the carpet to stay moist for too long may result in mold.
• Dry cleaning solvent can also be used to treat oil stains. Blot it onto the stained area with a clean cloth and blot with a separate cloth to remove.
• For extra cleaning power, mix vinegar with the dish detergent, then apply to the stained area.

Related guides:

1. How to Remove Toner from Carpet
2. How to Remove Soot from Carpet
3. How to Remove Bare Minerals Make-Up from Carpet

Permanent marker stains are difficult to tackle because there is no one single way to remove them. There are many factors that affect the chances of a successful removal. These include the type of fabric, the type of marker, the length of time the stain has been in place and any previous removal methods attempted. Washing the stain without treating it may set the stain, so it is always best to take some action first. Here are a variety of methods that have been used to successfully remove marker stains. Try one or try them all until your stain is removed.

• Rubbing alcohol or Nail polish remover
• Soft cloths
• Cotton balls
• Towel
• Soft brush/old toothbrush

1. If the marker is on a piece of clothing, place the clothing face down onto a towel. This will allow you to push the stain out from the surface of the fabric to the towel, rather than having to push the stain all the way through the fabric to remove it. If it’s not possible use a blotting technique to work on the surface of the stain and pull it out.
2. Moisten a soft cloth or cotton ball with a small amount of rubbing alcohol or nail polish remover.
3. Blot it on the stain (or pour a small amount through the fabric if it is lying face down on a towel).
4. Allow the rubbing alcohol/nail polish remover to set for a minute, then blot with a clean cloth. As you see the marker transferring to the cloth, switch to a clean area of the cloth to avoid reapplying the stain.
5. Continue blotting until no more marker transfers.
6. Repeat applications and blotting until the marker is removed.
7. Once the stain is gone, launder the piece as usual.
8. If the piece cannot be laundered, rinse by blotting the area with clean water.
9. Blot with a dry cloth and allow it to dry completely.

• There are a variety of other stain treatments that people have had success with. These include Spot Shot, Dawn Power Dissolver, Mr. Clean Multi-Surface Cleaner, Tide and Spray ‘n Wash. Again, it may take several applications/soakings and washings to finally remove all of the ink.
• If using nail polish remover, choose a brand that does not have any added coloring. This will avoid adding dye to the fabric and causing another stain.
• Some permanent marker stains can be removed with no treatments. Simply add one cup of salt to the washing machine (do not add detergent) and run through a normal wash cycle.
• WD-40 can be used for a variety of stain removal including permanent marker. Apply some WD-40 to the marker stain, let it set, then blot with a clean cloth.

Related guides:

1. How to Remove Nail Polish from Faux Suede (Polyester)
2. How to Remove Nail Polish from a Painted Wall
3. How to Remove Magic Marker from Leather Upholstery

Furniture, especially painted or stained furniture can easily leave marks on the wall. If the marks are caused from the color of the furniture transferring to the wall, it can be cleaned off easily. If the scratches have penetrated the paint, the removal will not be as simple. Follow these steps to determine the level of damage and how best to proceed.

You Will Need:

• Mr. Clean Magic Eraser
• All Purpose Cleaner
• Soft cloths
• Water
• Towel

Steps to Remove the Scuff Marks:

1. To determine if the paint surface has been damaged, run your hand over the scratches to feel for any rough spots. These would be scratches that have cut through the paint. If you run your nail over them, your nail will get caught in the grooves. If this is the case, proceed down to the section on removing scratches.
2. If there are no rough spots, then the coloring from the furniture has simply transferred to the wall, similar to a scuff mark. These marks can be removed pretty easily with a Magic Eraser.
3. Moisten the eraser with water and squeeze it out completely. Excess moisture in the sponge will drip down the wall and make another mess to clean up.
4. Rub the sponge over the scuffed area. You will need to apply some pressure to remove the scuff marks completely.
5. Continue scrubbing until the scuff marks are removed.
6. If no Magic Erasers are available, an all-purpose cleaner can be substituted.
7. Spray the cleaner onto the affected area and scrub with a soft cloth.
8. If desired, rinse the area after cleaning to remove any dirty residue. Moisten a soft cloth with clean water and wipe it over the entire area.
9. Allow the area to air dry or dry with a soft towel.

You Will Need:

• Fine sandpaper
• Paint to match the existing color
• Paint brush
• Soft cloths

Steps to Remove Scratches:

1. If the furniture has left grooves in the paint, it will require smoothing the area and repainting.
2. Use a small square of fine sandpaper to gently smooth over the scratched area.
3. Sand the existing paint away until the scratch is removed and the area is smooth.
4. Wipe the area with a soft cloth to remove any dust from the sanding.
5. Apply a new coat of paint to replace the removed paint in the area.
6. Allow it to dry completely before replacing the furniture in that area.

• When painting, protect the floor under the affected area with a plastic tarp or old newspapers.
• If the scuff marks are stubborn, apply an all-purpose cleaner and then use the Magic Eraser to scrub them away.
• If the scuff marks are not removable, simply paint over that one area.
• For larger scuffed areas, it may be easier to paint that section of the wall.

Related guides:

1. How to Remove Nail Polish from a Painted Wall
2. How to Remove Water Based Paint from Appliances
3. How to Remove Scuff Marks from Appliances

Removing stains from concrete is usually simple because of the strong material you’re working with. Concrete and brick can tolerate many cleaning products and remain unharmed. Keep in mind as you are cleaning that both of these products are porous. While the stain may be easily removed from the surface, it will have to be loosened and pulled out from the pores by soaking it with a cloth.

• Washing soda or detergent
• Vinegar
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Shout, Spray ‘n Wash, or other stain treatment
• Old towels
• Scrub brush
• Water
• Bucket

1. Begin by filling a bucket with warm water.
2. Add a good amount of washing soda or detergent. Do not use soap.
3. Dip the scrub brush or cloth into the water.
4. Place it on the stained area so the water saturates the area.
5. Scrub the stain away until it is removed. It may take several applications of water and detergent to remove the stain completely.
6. If the stain remains, pour white vinegar over the area. Allow it to set for several minutes, then scrub with the brush.
7. Rinse with clean water.
8. If the stain still remains, pour hydrogen peroxide over the area and allow it to set for several minutes.
9. Scrub the area to remove any loosened particles.
10. Wash with the detergent/water mixture.
11. Rinse with clean water.
12. Allow the area to dry.

• Vinegar is an acid that should not be left on the bricks for an extended period of time.
• Chlorine bleach or oxygen bleach can also be diluted in water and poured onto the area. Watch out for surrounding plants as these products will likely kill or damage them.
• If the stain appears to be stuck in the pores, choose a non-acidic cleaner and allow it to set on the wet surface for several minutes. Blot with a clean cloth to pull the stain out of these tiny spaces. Flushing the area with water may also help to wash out the small openings.

Related guides:

1. How to Clean Unsealed Grout
2. How to Clean Smoke Stains from Painted Brick
3. How to Remove Wax from a Brick Floor

Plastic covers can yellow from exposure to the sun and heat. Restoring these back to their original clear state can be accomplished. Here are the products and procedures to make it happen.

• Meguiars #10 Plastic Polish
• Meguiars #17 Plastic Cleaner
• Microfiber cloth
• Foam applicator pad or foam sponge

1. Begin by cleaning the plastic well by applying a small amount of the plastic cleaner on a foam pad.
2. Use circular motions all around the surface of the plastic.
3. Continue scrubbing in circular motions until dirt and grime is removed.
4. Wipe away any excess cleaner with the microfiber cloth.
5. Once all the dirt is removed, the surface can be polished for extra cleaning.
6. Apply the plastic polish, again using a foam pad.
7. Use a circular motion over the entire surface of the plastic.
8. Remove the excess polish and buff with the microfiber cloth.

• If the above method does not remove the yellowing, there is a method that uses hydrogen peroxide that has been successful on various types of ABS plastic. Depending on the plastic, you may not be able to remove the yellow, as the sun can cause certain chemicals used in these materials to turn yellow – which would mean the yellow is not just on the surface.
• More information about reversing yellowed plastic can be found in our guide How to Whiten Yellowed Plastic.
• Always test a small area first to ensure there are no adverse effects to the headlights.

Related guides:

1. How to Remove Mold from Foam Cushions
2. How to Remove Yellow Bleach Stains from Shoes
3. How to Remove Sticker Adhesive from a Brass Lamp

Many toothpastes contain titanium dioxide powder which is what makes them white. When it gets on clothing, it is impossible to dissolve without the presence of a detergent. This is why it comes out easily in the washing machine, but not when you blot it with a wet cloth. Fortunately, if you can clean the spot a little more thoroughly, it can be removed without laundering the entire piece.

• Mild laundry detergent
• Soft cloths
• Water
• Stain treatment

1. Moisten a soft cloth with water and blot the stained area.
2. Mix a few drops of laundry detergent with a cup of water. (Stain remover can be used in place of the laundry detergent.)
3. Dip the cloth in the sudsy water and gently blot/scrub the toothpaste area.
4. Once the detergent penetrates the toothpaste stain, it should release and be removed.
5. Blot with water to rinse.
6. Allow the spot to dry.

• If the clothing piece is dry clean only, do not use water or it will leave a spot. There are dry cleaning stain removal products available by Dryel that can be used on these pieces.
• If the piece can easily be placed in the washing machine and washed, that will provide the easiest removal method.
• If you are unsure of how the material will react to the cleaning product, test a small, inconspicuous area first to ensure there are no adverse reactions with the fabric.

Related guides:

1. How to Remove Permanent Marker Stains
2. How to Remove Oil Spots from Laundry
3. How to Remove Mildew Smell from Laundry