Cleaning Up After Potted Plants

I love having potted plants in my home. I love the way that they seem to brighten up the place and bring a hint of summer even in the middle of winter. However, I tend to be a little klutzy. When I try watering the plants, I always seem to overfill them. When I do this on countertops, the dirt and water go all over the place, and it's no better when I do it in the sinks. At the same time, it always seems like no matter how well I clean up at the time, there is always a little stain left over.

Cleaning up after potted plants isn't as difficult as you might think. Simply use one of the following methods, a little elbow grease, and with some patience you will no longer have to worry about cleaning up after potted plants.

• Magic Eraser. A Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, or a similar generic brand, will remove most stains around the home. To get rid of that stubborn potted-plant stain, all you need to do is get the eraser wet and use a little elbow grease. The stain should lift up with little or no problem.
• Zud. The name is funny, but Zud is a multi-purpose cleaner that is designed to remove grease, rust, mineral, and other types of stains. This cleaner can safely be used on a wide variety of surfaces like shower doors, sinks, tile, and countertops. Follow the directions that are on the bottle and your counters and sinks will be clean once again.
• Vinegar. An oldie but goodie, vinegar and baking soda can be a great home remedy for many stains that are found in and around the house. After all, if this will work on cleaning your drains a simple potted-plant stain isn't going to be anything in comparison. Simply allow the paste to sit on the stain for five to ten minutes and then wash away.
• Whink Rust Remover. If you water your plants in the sink, then one of the best ways to clean the stain is with Whink Rust Remover. This is a specific type of product that can be found in most grocery, hardware, and home improvement stores. It comes in a brown bottle that ranges in size from six to thirty-two ounces. Simply follow the directions on the bottle and you will have a squeaky clean sink once again.
• OxiClean. Using OxiClean to remove a potted-plant stain will work, though it may need several applications and a little time. Apply the OxiClean to the stain and allow it to sit overnight. In the morning, use either a soft washcloth or a Magic Eraser and gently scrub the stain away. If it doesn't come up right away, repeat as necessary till it has been removed.