Some stains seem unbeatable!

Don’t despair! This article gathers effective methods to keep your furniture clean. We share secrets on how to clean old grease, brilliant green, tape residue, candle wax, paint, watermarks, or glue without a trace.
Professional cleaning services provide peace of mind and ensure a thorough, effective cleaning every time. We at Handy Heroes AB offer a variety of cleaning help services, including House cleaning and Office cleaning, to keep your living or working spaces pristine.
General Rules

• Start cleaning immediately to increase the chances of success.
• Do not rub chaotically in different directions. Treat the stain from the edges toward the center to avoid spreading.
• First, try gentle methods. Only use aggressive chemicals in low concentrations if gentle methods fail.
• Avoid brushes, abrasives, and harsh sponges, as they can permanently damage the furniture.
• Wear gloves, and if dealing with strong smells or dust, wear a respirator as well.
• Ensure the chosen cleaning product works as intended by testing it on a small, inconspicuous area.
• Before cleaning, determine when and from what the stains appeared.
• Apply cleaners only to the stains, avoiding other areas as much as possible.
• Use household chemicals as directed on the label – the manufacturer knows best how to use their product.
• Aggressive liquids should be rinsed off, at least with a damp cloth, preferably with soapy water.
• Do not mix active substances on your own.
• Allow the surface to dry before evaluating the result.

Important! Always choose cleaning products (domestic or commercial) based on the type of surface. The article on proper furniture care includes a table of prohibited and permitted substances for various types of furniture.
How to Remove Tape and Sticker Residue Office, masking, double-sided tape, as well as electrical tape and children's stickers, can be removed from furniture using the same principle. First, gently peel off the tape, then remove the glue residue using several methods:

1. Warm soapy water for simple cases.
2. Rub the dry stain with an eraser.
3. Apply any vegetable oil to a cotton pad and rub gently.
4. Moisten a cloth with vinegar or alcohol and apply it to the stain for 5 minutes.
5. Apply WD-40 lubricant for 5-15 minutes.
6. Heat the stain with a hairdryer (40-50 seconds).
7. Use store-bought glue removers.

The main goal is to weaken the glue for easy mechanical removal using a cloth, cosmetic scraper, or plastic card.
How to Remove Candle Wax from Furniture Allow the wax to harden first. Working with soft wax will spread the stain. Place an ice pack on the hardened wax. Once cooled, it becomes brittle and can be easily scraped off with a plastic card. Remove any remaining residue as follows:

• From soft furniture: use a fabric stain remover.
• From hard furniture: use soapy water.

How to Remove Hair Dye from Furniture Fresh drops can be removed with a damp cloth. For stains on hard furniture:

• Use acetone or ammonia water for durable surfaces.
• For wooden furniture, use a cotton pad soaked in glycerin or salty water.

For sofas and armchairs:

• Use bleach or hydrogen peroxide (if the material allows).
• Spray hair spray onto a cotton pad and dab the fabric gently, avoiding rubbing. Repeat until the stain lightens. This method works for bright upholstery.
• Use a cloth soaked in vegetable oil for leather furniture.

In tough cases, use color remover products available at hairdressing supply stores.
How to Clean Grease (Oil) from Kitchen Furniture

• Method 1: For fresh grease, blot with a paper towel, then apply dishwashing liquid foam. Leave for 5-10 minutes to dissolve the grease, then wipe with a damp cloth.
• Method 2: For grease splatters, use a commercial cleaner or a homemade solution:
  • 0.5 liters of warm water,
  • 2 tbsp. vinegar,
  • 1 tsp. citric acid,
  • 2 drops of dishwashing liquid.

Apply with a cloth and wipe – the acid helps tackle old grease.

• Method 3: For deeply ingrained oil stains (common with wood, rattan, and veneer), use white spirit. Apply with a soft cloth, wipe in circular motions, and immediately rinse off. After drying, wax the furniture to restore the finish.

How to Remove White Water or Heat Marks White marks from water or heat appear due to discoloration of the topcoat. Solutions include:

1. Polish for minor damage on wooden furniture.
2. Heat the area with a hairdryer or a low-heat iron over a white cloth.
3. Rub in mineral oil, such as petroleum jelly.

How to Remove Glue from Furniture

• For simple glue types like office or craft glue, PVA:
  • Carefully lift dried glue and soak in soapy water.
  • For superglue or wood glue, use:
    • Commercial Glue Removers: Follow the packaging instructions.
    • Acetone or Nail Polish Remover: Use a cotton pad to remove the glue.

How to Remove Iodine Stains from Furniture Do not rub, but neutralize with:

• Baking Soda Paste: Apply thickly and let dry, then wipe off. Not suitable for glossy surfaces.
• Potato Starch Paste: Apply for an hour or two, then remove. Alternatively, rub with a fresh potato slice.
• Ammonia (1 tsp. in a cup of water): Dab with a cloth until the stain disappears, then clean with soapy water.
• Chlorhexidine or Hydrogen Peroxide: Effective for fresh iodine stains, especially on light surfaces.
• Dishwashing Liquid (1 tbsp. in 0.5 liters of water): For sofas and armchairs, dab and refresh until the stain fades, then rinse with water.

How to Clean Construction Paint from Furniture Water-based paint can be removed with soapy water. Acrylic paint can be cleaned similarly if fresh, but if dried, use solvents:

• Acetone
• Turpentine
• Gasoline

Apply solvents with a cloth, gently work in circular motions, and rinse with soapy water.
How to Remove Marker Stains For wooden furniture:

• Acetone or Nail Polish Remover
• Medical or Ammonia Alcohol
• Toothpaste (non-abrasive)

Apply the substance on a cotton pad and rub the stain, then clean with a damp cloth.
For fabric surfaces, dab with alcohol until the marker disappears.
How to Clean Furniture from Construction Dust First, remove as much dry dust as possible with a vacuum cleaner (preferably industrial). Prepare a bucket of warm water with vinegar (1 tbsp. per liter) and wipe the furniture, frequently rinsing the cloth and changing the water. Do not use soapy solutions to avoid white streaks.
For soft furniture, use a wet vacuum cleaner and finish with an upholstery cleaner.
How to Remove Chewing Gum

• Cold Method: Apply ice or a bag of frozen vegetables to the gum. When hardened, it can be mechanically removed with a spatula. Alternatively, use cooling sprays from the pharmacy.
• Heat Method: Place parchment paper over the gum and iron with low heat, transferring the gum to the paper.
• Oil: Apply with a cotton pad, then remove the gum. Clean the oil residue with soapy water.
• Tape: Stick tape over the gum, then pull it off. Repeat as necessary.

Cleaning furniture is easier when you know the properties of materials and cleaning agents. Use this table to find substances that can help remove stains.
Table of Cleaning Agents
Name
Properties
White Spirit
Degreases, removes paint and resin, including from fabrics

Acetone
Dissolves paint, varnish, effective against wax and glue

Kerosene
Removes oil paint stains

Gasoline
Removes glue, oil paint, lubricants

WD-40
Eliminates tape, glue, and chewing gum residues

Ammonia
Removes limescale, soot, unpleasant odors, bacteria, and fungi

Hydrogen Peroxide
Lightens dyes, disinfects

Act cautiously!
And for those in Stockholm seeking professional assistance, a range of services are available to help maintain the cleanliness of your home or office with Handy Heroes AB. Home Cleaning Services, Office Cleaning Services, House Cleaning Services, and Apartment Cleaning Services are all tailored to meet your specific needs. Whether you require Home Cleaning in Stockholm or need specialized Cleaning Services in Stockholm, you can find the right solutions with us. Additionally, if you're moving, the quality of our Relocation cleaning can ensure your old place is spotless.