Stain Removal

Suede is a type of semi-durable leather with a brushed or napped surface that makes it both soft and porous. Its strength and texture make it a popular material for apparel and furniture, but it...

Ball point pen marks on soft leather can be some of the most troubling stains to remove. When removing any stains from leather, take special care not to damage the leather, which is delicate and...

Permanent marker stains can feel like a nightmare, especially on such an expensive investment like a boat. And with children who are active and creative, marker stains can almost be inevitable. ...

Intended for nails only, nail polish always seems to find its way to other surfaces. And when it does it's never a small problem. Nail polish leaves noticeable stains behind on everything it...

Kids are fascinated with drawing and mark-making. Sometimes, however, this curiosity leads them beyond their drawing pads and coloring books and onto the walls. If your child decides to express...

If you have very creative small children, chances are high that they will get permanent marker somewhere on your wall or floor. And any heavy-handed writer could accidentally have wet marker seep...

Stains in sheets should be thoroughly removed before the sheets are placed into a dryer, or the heat from drying can set the stain permanently. If, however, the body oil stain is fresh, there are...

Permanent marker on rubber is sometimes challenging to remove. The longer the permanent marker remains on the rubber surface, the more difficult it will be to remove the mark. Whether the mark was...

Gemstones are beautiful additions to any piece of jewelry, but sometimes they get dirty or marked with a pen. Different gemstones require different cleaning methods. Some stones are soft and...

Shoe polish has bonding agents that cause it to bond to the surface it is applied to. Unless you wear gloves and protective clothing when shining your shoes, it is possible that you will get some...

Permanent marker ink is great on cotton when you want to label an article of clothing or decorate a fabric. When an unwanted permanent marker stains appear on cotton, they can be difficult to...

It's called permanent marker for a reason, and most of the time this rings true, as these stains can be very difficult if not impossible to lift. If you've found yourself having to deal with a...

Removing permanent marker from a monitor means that you have to try to get the marker off without damaging the screen or the antiglare coating. In some cases, especially if the mark is small, it...

Your favorite ballpoint pen just exploded and left a splotch the size of a quarter on the front of your favorite blouse. Two favorites destroyed in one blow. Maybe not. There are ways to remove...

Permanent marker can be erased from the surface of gaming consoles in just a few minutes. Most gaming consoles come in smooth or textured plastic protective cases. The surfaces of the plastic...

Though it's theoretically only supposed to end up on paper, ink somehow manages to find its way onto plenty of other surfaces quite easily. Whether it's from the careless drop of a pen to somehow...

At first glance, felt-tip ink stains on clothing and fabric can seemingly render the garment useless. Cleaning felt tip, as well as other ink stains, from clothing can easily be accomplished with...

Permanent markers sure come in handy--if you are making a poster or labeling a box, for example. But discovering that you just accidentally drew on your best dress shirt with one of them is a real...

Many parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, and babysitters have walked into a room and realized that learning how to remove permanent marker stains from walls is part of a caregiver's rite of...

Whether a pen exploded in your pocket and leaked or your toddler decided to use the sofa as an art easel, ink pen stains on a couch can be a frightening sight. Although ink can often be tricky to...

Wood furnishings and materials are vulnerable to iron stains from nongalvanized nails, screws, hinges and other elements. When moisture comes in contact with these items, they tend to rust,...

Spilling fingernail polish on anything makes a hard-to-remove mess. House paint usually washes off, but nail polish is tougher. With most stains, the best results are achieved if the spill is...

Paint can be messy to work with during projects and repairs, and people often spray or spill excess onto tools and nearby surfaces. You can remove errant paint from an aerosol spray can with the...

Permanent marker and a crafty child usually equal disaster at some point in time. If you should happen upon a table full of beautiful scribbles, don't panic. Permanent marker is not really...

Kids love to draw with permanent markers, but they can create problems if they decide to turn their artistic talents loose on your walls. Even though the scribblings have a certain charm, there's...

Because of the waxy consistency of crayons, they can easily stain a variety of fabrics, especially leather. Leather is damaged by excessive amounts of moisture, so regular cleaning techniques are...

Remove permanent marker stains that remain on a chalk board's surface in minutes with the help of a few household products. The porous surface of a chalk board makes it possible to remove spots of...

First and foremost, act fast. The longer a stain sits, the harder it will be to remove. Try to determine what the stain is on your jacket. If you are unable to figure it out, first start with the...

Wool is the fabric of choice for many homeowners who want new carpet as opposed to hardwood flooring. Wool is a natural fiber that is known for its heavy-duty strength, which is helpful if you...

Most leather has some oil in it to begin with, due to the tanning process or conditioning with mink or linseed oil. Also, true leather (particularly suede) has an absorbent quality; if you leave...

Leather is used for clothing, shoes, furniture and many other things. It is important to take good care of your leather product to ensure that it will last a long time. Many leather cleaners and...

If your little artist's creativity has spread beyond the boundaries of paper and onto surfaces you would rather it not be, such as your table, it can create an eyesore you can't simply polish...

Soot is a sticky substance that forms when combustion of carbon is incomplete. You often find soot in fireplaces, chimneys and even on the exhaust pipes of your vehicle. Soot is dark brown or...

From applying vinyl tiles to a kitchen floor to repairing vinyl furnishings, you may have used a vinyl adhesive to complete the project. Vinyl adhesive is fast drying, not too difficult to work...

Permanent marker can be almost impossible to remove from any surface, but it can be especially stubborn on laundry. With a bit of patience and a few household items you can actually treat...

Dry erase boards are the modern-day chalk board. They are used in schools and in offices for lectures or presentations. Special markers can be used to write on the white surface. If you have...

Paint is one of the most inconvenient stains to remove from clothing. Though often tedious, it can still be lifted using the proper method. Depending on the type of paint, the right solvent can...

Microfiber material is often referred to as the most friendly upholstery for furniture or other covered surfaces. This material has a reputation of standing up to the most stubborn stains, but...

While nail polish can make a dramatic and positive change to the appearance of your nails, it can make an unwelcome change to the surface of your carpet. If your nail polish found its way out of...

Galvanized metal is coated with zinc to prevent corrosion and rust. Household appliances, tools and steel or iron pipes are most commonly galvanized. Removing paint from these metals can be...

Granite is a durable choice for kitchen countertops. Granite is porous, however, which can lead to staining, even if the countertop is sealed. Acidic foods and liquids such as tomato juice are...

Spray paint has versatile uses for indoor and outdoor applications; it provides even coverage and a fair amount of control. Spray paint may need to be removed for cleaning during projects or after...

There are many commercial stain removers on the market that contain sodium hypochlorite, perchloroethylene, or trichloroethane, all of which can cause kidney and liver damage. Dry cleaning fluid...

Cleaning a spill off a leather coat may seem difficult because unlike most other spills, you can't clean it with soap and water, nor can you toss the jacket into a washer and dryer. Cleaning a...

A wool rug is made of natural fibers that require special care to protect the appearance and prolong the life of the rug. Candle wax is a common stain on wool rugs. When wax drips onto your wool...

Whether you use it for work, camping or on a hunting trip, a stainless steel vacuum flask is invaluable for keeping your drinks either hot or cold. If you've used your flask much, you may have...

Soot is a black film that develops from fireplaces, wood stoves or barbecues. Some black spots on the house siding could be mold or just plan dirt. It is important to test the area with bleach to...

Porcelain enamel is the result of firing powder glass onto a metal surface. It fuses together to create a glossy surface. Several products come in porcelain enamel including stoves, bathroom...

Uh-oh! You just now noticed the food spill on the living room carpet from a party last week? Or have you just come back from a long vacation to find a pet stain where you least expected it? Fear...

Few household dilemmas are more disheartening than discovering a giant splotch of something on your white, fabric couch. Your heart sinks as the price of the furniture rings up in your head....