STAINS, STAINS AND MORE STAINS

September 25, 2005

I've receive quite a few emails recently on removing ink, dry erase marker, permanent markers and crayon from various surfaces, skin and clothing. I did some research and have gathered some good tips, but remember, always test a tiny spot to BE SURE it doesn't ruin the surface or fabric! IF whatever you are dealing with is special or very expensive, consider getting it done professionally.

The only tips I could find directly for dry erase markers is using hair spray to remove it from clothing. However, hair spray is always recommended for ink and marker, but it's really the alcohol content that causes it to work. Spray or rub in alcohol and gently scrub with a brush (even a clean old toothbrush). It may take a few tries. Be sure to rinse and wash afterwards. DO NOT dry in the dryer till you are sure the stain is gone!

INK: Lay the clothing on a garbage bag--pour a tsp. or so

of alcohol on the stain--enough to get some on the entire stain. Using a sponge or cloth blot the stain. Keep blotting with clean areas of the cloth until you stop getting color on it from the ink. Let it dry and repeat if needed. At this point if it's not gone gently scrub in a good liquid detergent and throw it in the wash. Again, air dry, check the spot, and repeat or try another method if it's still there. You can also try using , fingernail polish or a prewash stain remover in the same manner.

MARKER ON SKIN: Possibly one of the most annoying

things is permanent marker on skin. Yes, I'm sure it

seems funny to write on someone's face or your own

hand--until you realize it won't come off! Two things

will possibly work. First, apply toothpaste, allow it to sit for 5 minutes or so, then scrub it off. And/or you can apply baby oil, allow it to sit, and then scrub it with a baby wipe. I would use a really good moisturizer after removing it, and be careful not to scrub too hard.

CRAYONS: Don't scrape, or heat---gently coat and rub

the stain slightly with liquid laundry soap and allow it to

sit overnight. Wash as usual, then check to see if it's

gone. If not, repeat.

If the kids colored the counter top, plastic tubs, your tile, the glass in the front window or your metal file cabinet, try baby oil applied with a clean cloth (I use old clean socks). Scrub, repeat and scrub again until it's gone. This can work on paneling too, but again, try a small spot first. After scrubbing with the baby oil, clean the surface with warm soapy water and dry with another clean cloth.

So, do you have a nice drawing of the sun on your garage

floor, sidewalk, brick wall or the concrete basement floor? Cement and concrete is porous and will really hold that crayon, so get a good, stiff brush, a metal paint scraper or putty knife, baby oil or another oil product, and hot, soapy water. Apply the oil and let it sit for 5 minutes or

so. Scrape what crayon off you can with the putty knife,

then scrub with the brush. Wash with the soapy water

and rinse with clean water.

MORE TIPS: How to get rid of those pesky sweat stains! http://www.oldfashionedliving.com/stains3.html

"First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win."-- Mahatma Gandhi