Keeping a household really clean can be a seemingly endless task, and stain removal is especially tricky considering the wide variety of common household spills and mishaps. Households with kids and pets will be particularly susceptible to stains and messes – so how do you win the daily battle against stains in your family’s clothes, furniture and carpets while still finding time to spend with your loved ones?

If household stains have got you stumped, here are five quick and easy stain removal tips that will save you time, hassle and money:

Coffee or Tea

For the removal of these common household stains, you’ll need a gentle household detergent and some vinegar. Flush the stain with cold water, then clean the affected area with laundry detergent or a carpet cleaning solution. If this doesn’t remove the coffee or tea stains, mix a solution of one part vinegar, two parts water and treat the stained area. Vinegar is a powerful natural stain removal agent and should lift the marks right out of the fabric.

Red Wine

This has got to be one of the most dreaded household stains, but removal is surprisingly easy. If you’ve spilled red wine on your clothes or carpet, simply flush the stain out using carbonated soda water before washing as normal. This works best on fabrics that absorb stains slowly.

Ink

The best method of stain removal will depend on what type of ink you are dealing with. Water-based ink stains can be removed with a simple trick; place the stained clothes over a clean dry cloth, then blot the affected area with a wet cloth. You’ll see the ink start to transfer to the dry cloth underneath. For complete stain removal, treat the area with liquid detergent and leave it to sit for a few minutes before washing in warm water.

Permanent ink stains are tougher but can be removed in a similar way; place the stained fabric on a dry cloth and blot with rubbing alcohol instead of water. You should only try this stain removal method if you are sure it won’t damage the fabric.

Blood

Cuts and scrapes of all sorts can lead to some tough blood stains on clothes. For easy blood stain removal, simply soak the fabrics in heavily salted cold water before washing as normal. Salt is another highly versatile stain removal agent found in every household.Ketchup/

Tomato Sauce

This is where vinegar comes to the rescue again; for effective tomato sauce stain removal, dab the affected area with undiluted vinegar, then wash using a solution of diluted detergent and two cups of vinegar. To remove really stubborn ketchup stains, try spraying the fabric with ammonia-based glass cleaner. Leave the spray on the fabric for 15 minutes, then blot the stain and repeat the washing process with vinegar and detergent.

If you act quickly and handle your fabrics with care, you’ll find stain removal is a breeze and you’ll have plenty of extra time to step away from the floor sweepers and spend time with your family!

Sally Roberts is a keen writer looking to share news and tips with fellow bloggers.