HomeQuicks

Cleaning & Stains

Stain removal, odor fixes and surface care: proven ways to get things clean and keep them that way.

Most cleaning problems are chemistry problems wearing an apron. A stain is something bonded to a surface, a smell is something still releasing molecules, and hard water spots are minerals that soap was never going to move. Once you know which kind of problem you are holding, the fix usually costs a few dollars and lives under your sink already. That is the working idea behind this whole section: match the remedy to the mess instead of scrubbing harder.

The guides here run the full territory of a lived-in home: ink, blood, wax, rust, permanent marker and every other stain with a reputation; odors in carpets, mattresses and drains; glass, granite, grout, laminate and the other surfaces that each want their own treatment. You will find the honest version of every answer, including the unwelcome ones, like which etching is permanent and which discoloration means replacing the thing rather than fighting it.

Start with the featured guides above if you have a whole surface or room to deal with, or go straight to the article list for a specific stain or smell. When a job calls for a particular ratio of vinegar, baking soda, bleach or peroxide, the article says so exactly, along with the mixes you should never make. If a search brought you here mid-emergency, blot first, do not rub, and the right guide is one search away.

Featured Guides

Get rid of bad smells in house
How to clean and maintain tile grout
How to remove common household stains
How to clean bathroom and unclog drains
The best carpet cleaning methods that no one ever

All Articles

Weathered tombstones in a frosty cemetery

Tips on How to Clean a Tombstone and Keep the Memories Fresh

4 min read

Cemeteries are the final resting place for our beloved. But over time, the headstones gather dirt, which makes the inscriptions on them illegible. We give you some tips on how to clean a headstone, and keep the memories fresh.

Hands cleaning abalone shells in plastic bowls of water

Layman-friendly Essential Tips to Clean Abalone Shells Properly

3 min read

Abalone shells are loved by many due to their iridescence and colors. They can be used for making jewelry and decorative items. Like other shells, they need maintenance to retain their luster. Know how to clean abalone shells in this HomeQuicks post.

Assorted white and cream seashells including conch shells

Tips to Clean a Conch Shell

6 min read

Collected for decorative and food purposes, conchs are denizens of the sea with beautiful shells. If you collect shells regularly, you would know that these shells are filled with sand and many microbes. In this article, we will look at the various processes and tips that can be used to correctly clean and polish a conch shell.

Antique porcelain dolls in lace dresses lying in a wooden crib

Tips to Clean Antique Porcelain Dolls

6 min read

Antique porcelain dolls are collectibles, and therefore, valuable. Cleaning them regularly becomes utmost important to keep them in a good condition. This HomeQuicks article provides the tricks of the trade by telling you how to clean antique porcelain dolls.

Cloisonne vase with enamel floral inlay

How to Clean Your Valuable Cloisonne Without Causing Any Damage

4 min read

We love to accumulate beautiful things and flaunt them, don’t we? However, those beautiful little things need regular cleaning to remain so. And if it is cloisonne, it will need special care. This HomeQuicks post tells you how to clean cloisonne vases, jewelry, or any other item made from this enamelware.

Two women with a vintage rotary telephone and radio

How to Clean Things Made of Bakelite

8 min read

Bakelite plastic has been used in a number of different vintage items and antique pieces such as old telephones, radios and even pieces of jewelry. If you have one of these and want to bring back the shine on it, go through the Bakelite cleaning tips highlighted in this HomeQuicks article.

Fabric rolls, scissors, and sewing supplies on a wooden table

A Comprehensive Step-by-step Guide on How to Remove Hemming Tape

3 min read

Hemming tape is a benefit endowed to all those who are looking for a quick fix for their frayed or broken hem, and that too, without one having to play with fussy sartorial toys like a needle and thread! But, if you want to remove it later, it ain’t all easy as yanking it from your clothing. Learn how to remove hemming tape in this HomeQuicks post.

Blank dark chalkboard surface

We Bet You Didn’t Know These 7 Easy Ways to Clean a Chalkboard

4 min read

Refrain from purchasing expensive cleaning products, and instead, wipe a chalkboard clean with a solution made from products that are available at hand. With this HomeQuicks post, you will find 7 easy, yet effective ways to clean a chalkboard every time.

Ornate brass door knob with a faceted glass handle

Amazing Uses of Brasso

4 min read

Brasso - a metal polish - has been in the market for over 100 years now and is certainly a household name when it comes to cleaning brass and copper artifacts. This HomeQuicks article enlists some amazing uses of Brasso.

Plastic bottles and colored plastic bags gathered on a white surface

6 Unusual Ways to Remove Permanent Marker Stains from Plastic

4 min read

Has your anklebiter scribbled marker pen all over the plastic upholstery? Ahh, imagine the marker-stained plastic chairs. Or did you use a permanent marker and misspell something on your plastic folders and binders? Fret not. The good thing about a permanent marker is that it isn’t actually permanent. HomeQuicks gives some easy and effective techniques on how to remove permanent marker from plastic.

Row of dark pewter tankards on a wooden shelf

How to Clean Stuff Made of Pewter

6 min read

Pewter is a grayish-silver alloy which is used to make a variety of things, such as plates, mugs, jewelry, and decorative showpieces. The metal does not tarnish easily, although it may for a dark patina. In this article, we will learn more about this alloy, and the various methods which one can use to clean pewter articles.

Roll of stainless-steel contact paper partly unrolled

How to Apply Stainless Steel Contact Paper

3 min read

Stainless steel contact paper renders a modern and classy look to old kitchen appliances. This HomeQuicks article tells you exactly how to apply stainless steel contact paper.

A metal part wreathed in vapor with electrode leads attached

A Guide to Rust Removal Using Electrolysis

5 min read

Electrolysis is a very effective method for removing rust from ferrous items, without causing noticeable damage. The process is quite easy to do, and requires very basic equipment. This article will provide elaborate instructions on performing this procedure, to get the best oxidation-free results.

Handwritten note on a pad with a pen resting on it

Easy Ways to Remove Ink from Paper

3 min read

Oops! Did you just spill ink on that important paper, and have started worrying about removing it? Fret not, for there are different ways to remove ink from paper. This HomeQuicks article tells you about them.

Worker in coveralls cleaning a glass door

Dos and Don’ts of Cleaning Low-E Glass Windows

4 min read

Low-E glass windows are the best solution to filter the harmful rays of the sun. They are quite popular these days for use in homes and offices. This HomeQuicks article tells you about the dos and don’ts of cleaning them.

Rust stains spreading around a bathtub drain

Best Ways to Remove Rust from a Bathtub

5 min read

The unsightly rust stains on your bathtub can be removed easily with store-bought cleaners or some easily available household materials. Go through this HomeQuicks article for some information about such stain removal.

Janitorial cleaning cart in a ceramic-tiled room

Best Products to Clean Ceramic Tiles

6 min read

Ceramic tiles indeed account for the prettiest floors, but at a price. They can be difficult to take care of if they’re not cleaned regularly. HomeQuicks gives you a list of the best products to clean ceramic tiles, and some tips to keep them shining.

Rusted metal roof edge against a cloudy sky

How to Use Naval Jelly to Remove Rust

4 min read

Keeping your valuable metal objects rust free, is an extremely important step to maintain and extend their lifespan. Naval Jelly is a great DIY aid to clean rust from metal surfaces. The procedure to use it is very simple, and we shall go into it in detail in the following HomeQuicks article.

Woven seagrass and rattan chairs and tables in a lounge

Maintenance and Care Tips for Seagrass Furniture

4 min read

Seagrass are plants that live in the continental shelf of sea coasts across the world. The dried plants make very attractive furniture, which can last for many years if proper care and maintenance is undertaken. Let us now look at these seagrass furniture care tips and procedures in detail.

Gloved hand spraying cleaner onto a glass shower wall

10 Best Brands of Enzymatic Cleaners

5 min read

If you’re very environment-conscious, or have allergies to artificial cleaners, or you have simply run out of options which might work on those stubborn pet stains, you can switch to enzymatic cleaners. Tough and natural, these cleaners will clear those stains in no time, provided you choose the correct kind. Read on for a list of 10 best brands of enzymatic cleaners.

Tongs lifting pasta from a steaming stainless steel pot

Hard-anodized Aluminum Vs. Stainless Steel Cookware: A Face-off

4 min read

While some tout about the kitchen-friendly characteristics of stainless steel cookware, others claim that the hard-anodized version is much better. So, which one should you pick? Let’s find out what’s the difference between aluminum and steel cookware.

Man holding a feather duster in the living room

12 Essential Dusting Tools You Should Have in Your Home

5 min read

For those who can hear alarm bells ringing every time they see traces of dust, the need to keep the house grime-free takes priority on their weekly things-to-do list. Here are some must-have dusting tools to stock your home with.

Scorched saucepan resting on charcoal and ash

How to Efficiently Remove Burnt Stains from Cookware

5 min read

Housewives are commonly heard complaining about how difficult it is to get rid of burned-off food from pans and pots. Here are some simple tips to help you avoid the long hours of scrubbing, and remove the burnt stains from cookware effectively.

Two house cleaners working in a living room

What to Look for When Choosing the Right House Cleaning Service

5 min read

If your house was all clean and well looked after before the weekend arrived, then you would have so much time at your disposal. Now, wouldn’t that be a dream come true? Well, what’s stopping you then? Read on to know what to look for in a house cleaning service agency, to hire the best one.

Cookies stored in a clear plastic container on a wooden table

7 Easy Peasy Ways to Remove Odor from Plastic Containers

4 min read

We normally use plastic containers or Tupperware to store a lot of things, and many times these containers are left with a typical odor of the food such as garlic or onion. To get rid of this smell, this HomeQuicks post gives you some simple tips to follow, to have a fresh-smelling container.

Tiered chocolate fountain on a table with skewered fruit

Here’s How to Effectively Clean and Maintain a Chocolate Fountain

5 min read

Just as a chocolate fountain is an irresistible treat both for the eyes and the taste buds, it’s a gooey mess to clean up post the party. I can already hear voices screaming, it’s not my turn to do the dishes and specially not the chocolate fountain. We aim to give you a simplified version of cleaning the fountain to keep it ready for the next party.

Two cut-crystal glasses with etched diamond patterns on a dark table

How to Remove Etching From Glass

4 min read

With the passage of time, glassware develops tiny scratches and appears cloudy, a change which is referred to as etching. This can make the glass look unsightly. Through this article let us deal with how to remove etching from glass...

Small wooden children's chairs and toy box

How to Clean Used Baby Furniture

5 min read

If you have purchased or are thinking of purchasing used baby furniture, then you need to know how to clean and disinfect it properly. Read the following article for more information...