Cleaning up spills around the house can be one of the most frustrating aspects of home maintenance. No matter what the item is that has soiled your floor, your first concern is to prevent it from becoming a stain. There are many myths, supposed cure-alls and rumored “perfect” tips when it comes to preventing a spill from becoming a stain, but if you want results, there are some guidelines that provide a perfect place to start. Ignore the rumors, debunk the myths and resist the cure-all because they may let you down. Begin with the basics, and you should have no problem taking care of the spill.

First things first, avoid panicking. Yes, you have a limited amount of time before the stain sets, but if you rush off and end up implementing the wrong tactic, the stain may set permanently. Take a few seconds to get your bearings on the situation and decide the best course of action. One frequent mistake that comes in the rush to get to a stain is using hot water, heated chemicals or any other sort of heated product. Do not use these things unless you know without a doubt that the stain you are removing requires heat. For most stains, an increase in thermal energy will cause the liquid to set. This can sometimes make the stain permanent. So, for most stains, go with the cold water. Cold water can prevent the stain from setting, and this can do just fine in cleaning up the mess.

There are a few other important general rules. Do not use liquid to clean up a dry substance. Adding water to most dry substances will cause them to expand, and the stain may deepen. Imagine for a moment that your child spills a bit of powder from an instant drink on the floor. Using a spoon coupled with a blunt knife will allow easy clean up. Grabbing a wet cloth may only infuse the powder with the liquid resulting in the stain spreading. This can work with just about any dry material, so be careful when cleaning powders, ashes and other dry spills.

A somewhat obvious tip, but one you may not think of, is that you should avoid using colored napkins, rags etc. when you clean a stain. Avoid cleaning implements with dyes at all costs. The dye can very easily run when used to remove a stain, and in the end, the stain can become much worse than it originally was.

Beyond that, most clean up tips fit into the category of common sense. Be sure to recognize what type of fabric is currently stained. Do not treat the stain with a cleaner that may damage the material. If the fabric is dry clean only, then do not use water to remove the blemish. This can help prevent the liquid from seeping further into the fabric, and can save you work later. Obviously, you cannot do this with some items, such as fitted carpets, and you should use discretion.

When it comes to quality products for stain clean up, you are in luck. Most modern detergents and cleaners work very well. The combination of chemicals works well for almost any type of blemish, and can remove most basic stains. When stains are too deep for basic cleaners, you still have a few options. One of the best options is a product called the Shamwow.

Shamwow is the brand name of a line of products using a rayon like fabric with a patented method of weaving that allows a cloth to absorb over twenty times its own weight. This means that a large Shamwow cloth that weighs a pound can hold twenty pounds of liquid. These cloths do not use dye, and do not drip. Instead, they suck up all of the liquid from a stain and prevent the spill from seeping through the surface of the fabric. The Shamwow can be cut to fit any job, it can be machine washed after being used and it is also extremely. The Shamwow comes with a ten year warranty. Products that Shamwow is based on have been known to last as long as twenty years before falling apart. If your spill is on a large tile floor and you do not want to get down on your hands and knees to use a towel, and then invest in the Shamwow mop. This device combines the Shamwow technology with the conveniences of a mop to give you the perfect cleaning device.

Spills do not have to be a source of ruin for furniture, floors or carpets anymore. Combining the right techniques and the best products can give you success in cleaning that you have never had before. Next time you have a spill, consider these tips and you floor can once again look like new.

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