How to Remove Stains from Unfinished Wood

If you’ve had the misfortune of finding unwanted stains on your unfinished wood, you’ve learned firsthand why experts recommend a protective coat over wood surfaces. Whether you’ll ever be able to remove the stain depends on a couple of factors, namely, the type and condition of the wood and the kind of stain you’re dealing with, but under the best of circumstances many stains will be permanent. Still, you may improve or eradicate the stain by following these steps.

You Will Need:

• Fine grit sandpaper

Steps to Remove the Stain:

1. Using fine grit sandpaper, lightly sand the surface.
2. Pause frequently to wipe away the dust and check your progress.Also, ensure you are not sanding so much wood away that you leave a depression.
3. Repeat until the stain is gone or until you start to wear away the wood.
4. If the sanding is noticeable, lightly scuff the rest of the surface with the sandpaper so it matches.

Additional Tips and Advice:

• Pine is a soft wood and quickly absorbs stains. Harder woods are more likely to only be stained at the surface, therefore increasing your chance of successful stain removal.
• If you get the stain out, consider finishing the wood with a clear protective finish. If you can’t get the stain out, consider applying a wood stain over the entire surface to “hide” the unwanted color.

• Oily food stains rarely come out of wood.

How do you remove olive oil from a wool sweater?

You recently splashed some olive oil and lemon juice mixture on a wool sweater. How can you get that out? You haven't done anything yet except blot as much as you could. 

Removing stains from wool can be a little tricky to tackle yourself. It’s often best to take it to a professional cleaner and allow them to treat the stains. If you want to remove them at home, here is a method that many have found safe and effective. If your item is machine washable, see the additional tips for a quicker cleaning option.

You Will Need:



Cornstarch
Mild bleach-free dish detergent (ex: Dawn or Ivory)
Tub or basin
Cold water
Large sheet of paper
Pencil or pen
Large absorbent bath towel


Steps to Remove the Oil Stains:



1. If the oil stain is minor, you may be able to remove it with a simple absorbent.
2. Cover the stained area with cornstarch.
3. Allow it to set for 30 minutes so the cornstarch can absorb the oil.
4. Brush clean with a clean, white cloth.
5. If the stain remains, you can repeat the above steps or wash the oil out with the following steps.
6. Start by laying the sweater on the large sheet of paper.
7. Trace around it with the pen/pencil. This will provide a template to lay the sweater back out to
     its original shape and size while it dries.
8. Fill a tub, sink or basin (depending on the size of the item being washed) with cool to cold water.
9. Add a few drops of bleach-free dish detergent. If the stain is really tough, try applying some
    detergent directly to the stain.
10. Agitate the water lightly to mix.
11. Immerse the sweater in the water.
12. Swish it around gently a few times to work the soap and water into the sweater. Do not
       wring, twist or pull on the sweater or it will lose its shape.
13. Let the sweater sit in the water for 2-3 minutes and allow the soap to work.
14. Remove the sweater carefully being careful not to pull any parts and drain the soapy water.
15. Refill with clean water
16. Place the sweater back in the clean water to rinse.
17. Remove the sweater and drain the water.
18. Repeat steps 10-12 until all of the soap is removed.
19. Once rinsed, lay the sweater on a large, absorbent towel.
20. Roll the towel up with the sweater inside.
21. Gently push the water out of the sweater.
22. Repeat until the sweater is damp.
23. Lay the sweater on top of the paper with the outline traced onto it.
24. Make sure it fits the original size and shape. Make adjustments as needed as the sweater dries.
25. Allow the sweater to air dry completely.


Additional Tips and Advice

Some wool sweaters are machine washable (check the care instructions on the tag), which will make the stain removal process much simpler. In these cases, you will be able to spot clean the stain and machine wash the entire sweater. Do not machine dry it, as the heat will cause shrinkage. Wool is natural hair, and some have found basic shampoo effective in removing oil and grease stains. Never use any products with bleach to clean wool. It will weaken the fibers.

How to Clean a Keurig Coffee Maker With Vinegar and a Toothbrush Melissa Maker @ Clean My Space shares a quick and easy method of cleaning your expensive Keurig coffee makers with a toothbrush, vinegar, dish soap, and a microfiber cloth. Most of the machine can be cleaned in your dishwasher, with minimal manual labor involved.  Head on over to Clean my Space for the full instructions, along with a how-to-video.