Page 13 - Real Estate Now Sept-Oct 2021

Muddy footprints on the carpet
Winter and spring see a lot of mud trekked into your home, which can be fine when it’s on the tile, but once that
mud finds its way onto your carpet it becomes a bigger issue. Don’t immediately rush to scrub it out though, shares
McCausland.
“Always let the mud dry first,” she explains. “Grab your vacuum and suck as much of the excess dirt as you can.
Dishwashing detergent is your next step! I personally love Dawn. Mix with some hot water and blot with as much
pressure as you can until the stain is lifted.”
Pet stains out of carpet

We all love our pets, but doesn’t it feel like you love them just a little less when they decide to do their business on
your carpet? Not only can pet messes leave unsightly stains, they can also leave lingering smells that are tough to
get rid of.

“Make a mixture of dish soap, vinegar, and salt, then use a toothbrush to scrub deep into the fibres of the carpet,” says
McCausland. “This also helps to get rid of any smell left behind.”
Crayon off walls

Unless you’ve designated a space in your home for your
kids to scribble all over the walls, odds are you’ll want to
get that crayon off as soon as possible.

“It sounds crazy but mayonnaise is the go-to!” shares
McCausland. “Grab a damp cloth or toothbrush, grab
your mayo, and head to the wall. Oh, and get those kids
to help!”
You’ll want to be careful if your paint has a matte or flat
finish, however, as the surface may absorb the oil from
the mayonnaise. If you do have matte walls, try softening
the crayon with a blowdryer, then use mild dish soap and
a hot rag to wipe it off.

Loosening up old stains
Whether you’ve procrastinated dealing with a stain or just didn’t even realize it was there, all is not lost! You can still
salvage your carpet, furniture, or clothing with a simple DIY solution.

“A great option is to make a paste of water and baking soda along with some laundry detergent,” explains McCausland.
“Again, soak, soak, soak for as long as it takes to get that pesky stain out!”

Always work quickly

There’s no way to prevent stains completely, save for covering your furniture in plastic or living in a bubble. But there
are ways you can prevent them from getting worse! Don’t ever rub a stain or let it sit, as that can just work it into the
fibres even more. A good rule of thumb is to immediately apply a warm cloth and let it soak.

Stains are inevitable, and there’s no way for you to get them out of your life completely. However, knowing how
to deal with common stains can make them easier to deal with and ultimately lead to longer use of your favourite
furniture and clothes! g

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