Acknowledgments
Marys acknowledgments: Nothing is ever achieved without the dedication and assistance of many people.
Linda Formichelli; without Linda asking me to assist her on the first book, I would not have had the opportunity to rewrite the book to Green Cleaning. I missed your humor, talent, and guidance on this revision Linda. Thank you for the opportunity and for being such a great teacher! You are one of a kind.
My gratitude to Michele Wells, acquisitions editor, and Julie Bess, development editor, for your guidance and vision during the writing of this bookit would not be if it were not for you; Janette Lynn, senior production editor, for your valuable insights; and to Marilyn Allen, my agentthank you for offering me this golden opportunity.
To my husband, Reid Findley, who took over and handled the house while my fingers happily played on these keyboards. To Paul and Ann Ensch, my parents, whose unrelenting faith in me has guided me to meet and exceed each new challenge. To my grandchildren, Gracie and Joshua, this book is for your greener tomorrowsyou are the world to me.
To all of you who have sat through my seminars and have shared your tips; supported my company; and brought your laughter, hugs, and warmth into my life. You are a true blessing, and I am eternally grateful.
Lindas acknowledgments: I would like to thank the following people who helped make this bookand my writing dreamscome true: co-author Mary Findley; editor Michele Wells; development editor Julie Bess; my agent, Marilyn Allen; my husband, W. Eric Martin; my goal buddy, Jennifer Lawler; my parents, Anthony and Janet Formichelli; and my parents-in-law, Judith and Walter Martin.
Special Thanks to the Technical Reviewer
A special thank you to Theresa Peterson owner of Maid to Order Cleaning Services and director of the Independent Cleaners Purchasing Alliance who checked the accuracy of the information contained in The Complete Idiots Guideto Green Cleaning. You can read this book with the confidence that what you learn about green cleaning is correct and precise.
Trademarks
All terms mentioned in this book that are known to be or are suspected of being trademarks or service marks have been appropriately capitalized. Alpha Books and Penguin Group (USA) Inc. cannot attest to the accuracy of this information. Use of a term in this book should not be regarded as affecting the validity of any trademark or service mark.
Appendix A
Your Complete Stain-Removal Guide
So you spilled something on something else. No worries! This appendix tells you how to get just about any substance off of just about any surface with Earth- and human-friendly methods.
General Guidelines
Lets set a few guidelines before you start blotting and wiping:
Always test an inconspicuous spot for color fastness before you go all out on the stain.
Give your product time to work. Apply the cleaner and allow it to set undisturbed for 15 minutes.
Bi-O-Kleen and CleanEz both remove most stains. Never use petroleum distillates, which may be listed as mineral spirits, aliphatic hydrocarbon, hydrocarbon, or other known harsh chemicals listed in The Hit List.
Clean a spill immediately. The longer it sets, the harder it is to remove the stain.
Use a clean white rag to remove stains. The color from a rag can transfer onto the surface youre cleaning.
Frequently move the cloth so that a clean surface is showing to keep the stain from spreading.
On fabrics, begin spraying the cleaner from the outer edges of the stain and work your way toward the center of the stain. This keeps the stain from spreading.
Keep a bottle of enzyme cleaner such as Natures Miracle on hand for cleaning urine, vomit, and all organic stains. By the time you run out to the store to buy a bottle, the stain can set!
These tips can save you a lot of work, giving you more time to sip lemonade and relax on your porch swing.
Carpet Stain-Removal Guidelines
Follow these guidelines when removing carpet stains:
Always blot; never rub. Rubbing breaks down the fibers and weakens the material.
Blot by punching your index knuckle into a rag dampened with cup white vinegar per quart of water. Start with your wrist facing to the right, twisting clockwise. Carpet fibers are twisted clockwise. This motion prevents fuzzy spots.
When liquid spills into carpet, it hits the padding and spreads. You must clean an area of carpet twice as large as the surface stain when more than 2 ounces of liquid has spilled.
For larger spills, use a wet or dry vacuum or Bissell type vacuum if available to suck up as much liquid as possible. Otherwise place two to three terry towels on top of the stain then walk on the stain, wearing shoes of course, to absorb the liquid. Replace the towels as they become saturated.
Work carefully with peroxide. Let it set 15 minutes and rinse with cup vinegar per quart of water. Many carpets are made from Olefin. Peroxide can remove the dye in these carpets.
Rinse any cleaner with cup white vinegar per quart of water taking care not to oversaturate the carpet.
Now, on to the good stuff!
Stain-Removal Secrets
Beer on the upholstery? Soot on the walls? Mascara on the carpet? (Hey, it happens.) Heres the lowdown on the stains.
Ballpoint Ink
Carpet: Apply rubbing alcohol with a cotton swab to prevent the stain from spreading. Wait 15 minutes, blot, and repeat if necessary. Rinse.
Fabric furniture and mattresses: Try a squirt of white foaming shaving cream. Spray on enough to cover the spot and wait 30 minutes. Wipe off the excess and rinse.
Laminated/wood floor and wood furniture: Apply a dab of rubbing alcohol, wait five minutes, then wipe. Repeat if needed. If this does not work, try white (not gel) foaming shaving cream.
Leather/vinyl: Use only products made specifically for leather, like Leather Care or a beeswax-based cleaner. Anything else can dry and crack the leather.
Dirty Words
You may read recommendations to use hairspray for ink removal. Hairspray contains alcohol, which removes the ink. The other chemicals in hairspray could damage a fabric, though. Use caution with hairspray.
Linoleum floors: Rub with a bit of toothpaste.
Walls: Rub with a bit of toothpaste or seal and paint the spot.
Beer and Alcohol
Carpet: Blot the stain. Apply Natures Miracle, an enzyme cleaner; wait an hour or more; and rinse with plain water.
Fabric furniture: Follow the manufacturers guidelines. Remove the cushion and rinse in 1 gallon of cool water plus cup of white vinegar. Soak the foam in the tub, using the previously mentioned formula. Air dry it, keeping the cushion stretched to prevent shrinking. Or wash the entire cushion in the tub if it is washable.
Laminated/wood floor: Wipe with cup of white vinegar per quart of water. Dry and run a fan to finish drying the floor. Contact the manufacturer for the proper method to restore the wood should it discolor. If the wood warps, sand and refinish the floor. You cannot sand and refinish laminated floors, though.
Leather/vinyl: Wipe with an enzyme cleaner like Natures Miracle. Wait 24 hours and repeat if needed. Apply a high-quality leather and vinyl conditioner to prevent drying.
