Is a stain really a stain if it is not on a surface? While it may sound like a loony philosophical question, it does illustrate an important underlying fact. Whatever type of stain you are dealing with, it is on some kind of a surface. That surface could be anything from leather to concrete, from glass to wood. Since each type of surface is going to take a specific and unique type of care, it might be good to know what that care is, and if there are any nifty tricks that can help get those different stained surfaces clean.

Tips, Tricks, and Answers

The following articles are available for the 'Stained Surfaces' topic. Click the article''s title (shown in bold) to see the associated article.

   Cleaning Canvas
Canvas is probably one of the single most used materials outdoors. It can be used in everything from a tent, to a porch umbrella, to awnings, to...well, you get the idea. As such, learning the proper way of cleaning canvas can be a vitally important skill to learn. That is, it can be if you do not want to be purchasing new canvas items each and every year.

   Cleaning Huge Limescale Buildups
If you have a water source in your home then chances are you face the potential problem of limescale buildup. Cleaning huge limescale buildups, while often a tad difficult, can be made easier if you only know what to do. Here are some of the best methods available for getting rid of this problem.

   Cleaning Paint Off of Vinyl
Vinyl is a fairly common material to find around the home (and in some cases, on the home). As such it only makes sense that there will be times when paint gets spilled on this type of material. Cleaning paint off of vinyl, while potentially difficult, is possible as long as you remember a few simple things.

   Remove Heavy-Duty Stains on Stainless Steel
Here are two methods for removing stains from so-called stainless steel. You can remove most stains with a mixture of ammonia and water. Some stains, however, will require a paste of borax and lemon juice to eat through the problem area.

   Remove Tea Stains Yourself
Tea has got to be one of the most popular beverages around the world. What aren't so popular are the stains that they leave behind. Instead of dealing with the stains, or having to pay someone else to remove them for you, why not do it yourself? Here's how you can remove tea stains yourself from just about anything.

   Removing Bleach Stains from Marble
When your marble floor has been stained by bleach it really can ruin your day. There are some solutions that can help fix the problem. It can be a little time consuming, but the good news is that it can be fixed. Read on to find out how.

   Removing Bleach Stains from Stainless Steel
Everyone would like to think that having a stainless steel appliance or sink means that you will never have a stain again. However, this could not be further from the truth. One of the most common causes of stainless steel stains is bleach. Removing bleach stains from stainless steel may be a little difficult, but it can be done.

   Removing Dye Stains from Countertops
If you have ever used any kind of dye, then you know exactly how common it is for little accidents to happen. You also know how difficult it can be to remove those dye stains from countertops. Here are some simple guidelines that can help you remove dye stains from countertops.

   Removing Grout Stains
Mold and mildew tend to build up between bathroom tiles. To remove these growths, you'll need to scrub first with water, then with a commercial grout cleaner, and then with a bleach-based cleanser. To avoid fumes, you can also scrub grout with a toothbrush and a vinegar solution, but it will take longer.

   Removing Magic Markers from Plaster
Whether you have children who really like to draw, or you got a little carried away with the magic marker, everyone can expect to have a marker mess that needs to be cleaned. Removing magic markers from plaster, while a little frustrating, is possible if you are willing to do a little bit of work and experimentation.

   Removing Oil Stains from Fabric
Most oil stains can be easily removed from clothing with soap or detergent. Just pre-treat the stain, rinse everything out, and then stick the garment in the wash. Pretreatment chemicals include shampoo, lighter fluid, or even Coca-Cola. Just be sure to check the stain before you put the garment in the dryer.

   Removing Porcelain Stains
Porcelain is a beautiful addition to any home, especially in the bathroom. The problem with porcelain is that it stains easily. To take a light stain out of porcelain, just rub it down with a little cream of tartar, a common baking additive. Your stain will come right out.

   Removing Ring Around the Collar
Of all the stains that afflict laundry, perhaps one of the most common is ring around the collar. Often it seems like no matter what you try, removing ring around the collar is an impossible task. The reality is the exact opposite. Keep reading to find out why.

   Removing Rust Stains from Silk
Silk is a delicate material and difficult to safely rid of rust stains. It can, however be done if you are careful. If you have ever found your silk curtains, sheets, blankets, or shirts with rust spots don't throw them out yet. Instead use some of the best methods available for removing rust stains from silk.

   Removing Shower Stains
Sometimes the cause of shower stains doesn't lie in the soap, dirt, or grime that seems to often build up in showers. Rather, the problem can actually lie in the water itself. Whatever the cause, removing shower stains is a task that we are all going to be faced with at some point in life. Here's how you can do it quickly and easily.

   Removing Stains from Canvas
Canvas has many applications beyond sneakers. Designer purses are now made from canvas, as are sails and canoes. Removing stains from canvas can be easy if you use the proper solutions. Never use bleach on canvas, however, to avoid yellowing.

   Removing Stains from Concrete Floors
Various concrete stains can be removed with a little scrubbing and the right chemicals. Here you will find a guide to the right chemicals for most concrete stains and simple instructions for how to use them. Cleaning concrete stains can take anywhere from several minutes of scrubbing to several days of soaking.

   Removing Stains from Plastic
You can keep your plastics stain free by cleaning them once a week with a solution of warm water and mild detergent or a non-abrasive all-purpose household cleaner. If regular cleaners not work, try something stronger, such as rubbing alcohol or chlorine bleach. For oils, make a paste of baking soda and water, apply it to stain, let it harden, then remove it with a soft, damp cloth and rinse the stained area.

   Removing Stains from Vinyl Tablecloths
While vinyl is a really durable, and easy to maintain material, that doesn't mean that you won't need to do some periodic cleaning. Luckily, removing stains from vinyl tablecloths is a remarkably easy task. All you really need to do is follow a few simple steps.