Mud Season
Author: Peggy HoehnePublished on: Apr 12, 2002
March winds and April showers bring forth - MUD!
Traditionally, in the Northern Hemisphere, April is a month of frequent rain showers. And we all know what that means - it will also bring mud. Mud caked on shoes, mud puddles meant to be waded and splashed in, and mud tracked through the house.
If your carpet becomes the recipient of this particular sign of spring, I may be able to help. According to eHow.com there is a simple way to remove mud from your carpets. Their step-by-step guide follows:
1. Apply a small amount of mild liquid detergent to the stain.
2. Blot the stain with a dry, white cloth.
3. Flood the area with white vinegar.
4. Blot again with the cloth.
5. Apply a little more liquid detergent to the stain.
6. Blot the stain again.
7. Flood the area with water.
8. Blot one last time.
Tips:
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Some other emergency tips on removing mud include using - Shaving Cream! Spray the shaving cream on the carpet as though it were ordinary carpet cleaner. When you have applied a sufficient amount over the dirty area let it sit five minutes. Then blot and clean.
Another quick home rescue suggestion uses cornstarch. If the mud is fresh, sprinkle cornstarch liberally over the mud, let it sit for 15 - 30 minutes, and vacuum. If the mud is already dry or drying, let mud dry completely, brush with a stiff brush to break up mud clumps then vacuum.
If the kids come in with mud covered clothing you might want to Ask Jeeves how to remove mud from their clothing. There are both traditional and non-traditional methods for dealing with the mess. Both methods work best if you treat stains as soon as possible after staining. The older the stain, the more difficult it will be to remove. All stain removal methods should be applied prior to laundering washable garments. Stains that have been laundered and dried are almost impossible to remove.
Granular detergents, rather than liquid, are recommended for both hard water conditions and when loads contain mud or clay soil. More laundry problems are likely to be caused from using too little detergent rather than using too much.
When dry, brush off as much mud as possible. If the stain is light - pre-treat with a paste of powder detergent and water, liquid laundry detergent or a liquid detergent booster. If the stains are heavy - pre-treat or presoak with a laundry detergent or a product containing enzymes. Whichever pre-treatment you used, launder the clothing in the hottest water safe for fabric, using bleach if appropriate. Check the stained area when you remove it from the washer. If a stain still remains, flush with rubbing alcohol and rinse with clear water before drying.
If you prefer to try a non-traditional method, or just don't have the right laundry products at hand you can try this method. Cut a potato in half and rub it on the effected area. Soak the clothing in cool water and then launder as usual.
When April showers bring April mud, don't despair. Glory in it knowing you can get your house and clothes clean again.
LINKS:
Care, Maintenance and Spot Cleaning
Thrifty Living
Summer Clothing Stains
How to Clean Anything
Red mud, Grass stains, etc.
LINKS @ SUITE 101:
Home Management
Ten Holiday Stains and How to Remove Them
Author: Stacey Safarz
Dog Rescue
Keeping Clean
Author: Joan C. Fremo
Herbalism
Herbal Households: Natural Alternatives to Chemical Cleansers
Author: Sherry Eldridge