Healthy Stain Fighting Tips for Your Home

If you have spilled, splattered, or smudged it, this guide will help you figure out how to clean it up. From counters and sinks to laundry and walls, cleaning products work harder than ever to remove stubborn stains. Here is how to be prepared when stains happen. 

Stains On Kitchen Countertops

Butcher block, concrete, granite, and quartz are just a few of the diverse kitchen countertops choices that add style to our homes. To keep them looking their best, they also require different types of care when cleaning. If you have a stain to tackle in this vital part of your home, follow along to learn about the solutions that work.

How Do You Remove Stains From Concrete and Granite Countertops? 

To remove stains from a natural stone or concrete countertop, create a paste of water and baking soda mixed with diluted ammonia, hydrogen peroxide, or bleach. Use a non-abrasive brush to scrub the stains with the paste and rinse. The more difficult stains may require you to repeat this process. Noteworthy: It is essential to avoid using the abrasive cleanser as it may scratch the countertop surface. 

How Do You Prevent and Remove Stains From Engineered Stone and Quartz Countertops?

Quartz countertops are primarily stain-resistant. If you encounter a persistent mark that soap and water can not handle, use a glass cleaner and a non-abrasive sponge.

How Do You Prevent and Remove Stains From Wood Countertops?

To remove stains from wood countertops:

1. Quickly remove any liquid associated with the stain and keep it from absorbing into the wood.
2. If you have darker butcher block counters with stains, take a cotton ball or swab that has been dipped into a mild hydrogen peroxide solution to lighten the stain.
3. For stubborn spots on a lighter butcher block, sprinkle salt on the stain. Follow that by using half of a lemon to scrub the area. Allow the solution set for 4 hours before rinsing and drying. 

In extreme cases, when the staining is permanent, wooden countertops can be sanded and refinished.

What Will Remove Kitchen Sink Stains? 

Is it possible to clean a farmhouse and stainless-steel sink with household items? Absolutely. Shining up your sink is much easier than you think. Here are tips to get you started.  

• Empty and Rinse the Sink: First, empty the sink (including any mats or grids). Then use hot water to rinse the sink thoroughly.
• Add Baking Soda: Add baking soda to the damp sink. Cover the sink's surface with a thin layer of baking soda and include the sides.
• Scrub the sink's interior: Using a wet sponge to scrub the sink with baking soda. Scrub in the porcelain or stainless steel grain direction, paying close attention to stained areas. The baking soda becomes a tough cleaner but is gentle and will not scratch the surface.
• Scrub with a lemon: Use a lemon half to scrub the sink again with the baking soda that remains in your sink. The high acid levels in lemon juice can help fight bacteria and freshen your sink with a clean citrus smell. 
• Rinse the sink: Rinse away the baking soda and lemon juice with water. Run the used lemon halves through the garbage disposal (if you have one) to clean and freshen them. 

How Do You Remove Pet-Stains From Carpets Naturally?

If you have pets, carpets, and rugs in your home, removing pet stains and odor in a non-toxic way is challenging. Here is a pet-friendly cleaning strategy that uses simple household products. 

• Gather these items - Paper or cloth towels, baking soda, water, white vinegar, and a vacuum cleaner. 
• Dry the area - if the stain is new, use the towel blot or pat the area until it is dry.
• Begin cleaning the stain – using a spray bottle (or bucket), mix 1 cup of water and 1 cup of white vinegar, and soak the stained area (be sure to test the area of colorfastness first).
• Continue cleaning – add the baking soda to the top of the area while still wet with the water and vinegar mixture.
• Wait - ensure that the area has had time to dry completely (e.g., 8 – 48 hours) 
• Vacuum - your carpet or rug thoroughly.

What Are the Best Eco-Friendly Carpet Stain Removers?

AFM Safecoat offers a range of non-toxic carpet products. SafeChoice Carpet Shampoo cleans and removes both stains and odors, while SafeChoice Carpet Lock-Out prevents the carpet from off-gassing any VOCs it may contain and also protects from future stains. 

Another popular solution for removing carpet stains is using an earth-friendly product with enzymes: Only Natural Pet Stain & Odor Remover - Mandarin Orange & Green Tea Scent. This best seller is formulated by a holistic veterinarian, removes all types of stains, and the company is a Certified B Corporation. This designation means that the company has pledged to hold itself to high ethical and environmental standards.

How Often Should You Clean Your Walls?

A few tips that popular paint companies agree on include: 

1. Clean your walls once a year to maintain your paint's finish
2. Use mild soap and water to wipe walls down
3. Remember that specific paint finishes are more durable to stains and cleaning
4. Remember to turn the electricity off if you are washing a wall with an electrical switch or outlet. 

How Can You Remove Marks from Your Wall?

Children's scuffs marks and markers might need more than a wipe down. After you have cleaned your walls with wipes or a soap solution, spot clean with a more robust cleaner like vinegar, rinse with clean water and a sponge.

Stubborn marks may need a gentle abrasive that will not scratch off paint finishes. If you have to clean your walls with something more substantial, try a baking soda paste before going in with a touch-up color.

What Are Eco-Friendly Cleaners and Stain Removers?

To make your cleaning and stain removal efforts effective, healthy, and waste-reducing, here are products by environmentally responsible organizations: 

• Blueland Concentrated Cleaner Kit: Blueland's inexpensive refills arrive as dissolvable tablets. Customers receive a few recyclable acrylic bottles when purchasing a starter kit. Refills include bathroom cleaner, hand soap, glass and mirror cleaner, along with a multipurpose cleaner that is Cradle to Cradle certified® 
• Seventh Generation Free & Clear All-Purpose Cleaner: a biobased product that has no fragrance and no color. If you or a family member are sensitive to fragrances, this is a wise choice.
• SafeChoice® Multi-Purpose Cleaner and Degreaser: AFM Safecoat makes this concentrated, all-purpose cleaner and degreaser that is not toxic, odor-free, dye-free, and biodegradable.
• Defunkify Stain Remover Spray: this plant-based spray removes coffee, red sauce, makeup, and blood. 
• Vermont Natural Coatings Wood Cleaner: This product is a great option for wood cleaning and stain removal. It can remove dust, dirt, grease, grime, food, and stains using an innovative non-toxic formulation safe for home and commercial use.