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DIY stain remover: How to remove crayon marks, pet urine spots and other everyday stains

Stains are an everyday occurrence in all households, but some are a bit more difficult to tackle than others. Nina Willdorf, editor of All you magazine, has some easy DIY tips for removing common stains with ease. Stained coffee mugsDid you rush out the door this morning and leave that dirty coffee mug in the sink? Get rid of the hardened stains that remain by squeezing half of a lemon into the m

Stains are an everyday occurrence in all households, but some are a bit more difficult to tackle than others. Nina Willdorf, editor of All you magazine, has some easy DIY tips for removing common stains with ease. 

Stained coffee mugs
Did you rush out the door this morning and leave that dirty coffee mug in the sink? Get rid of the hardened stains that remain by squeezing half of a lemon into the mug and letting the juice sit for five minutes. “The acid lifts the stain,” Willdorf said.

Next, sprinkle some salt inside the mug, which will continue lifting the stain from the ceramic. After five minutes, take the lemon and give the interior a good rub. Rinse it out and your favorite mug is ready for another round of coffee.

Microfiber furniture
Is a food stain getting cozy on your microfiber sofa? With five minutes and a bottle of shaving cream, that stain will be no more. First, spritz the shaving cream onto the stain. “A liquid stain remover tends to spread the stain out,” Willdorf said, “whereas shaving cream keeps it in place.” Grab a towel and blot the shaving cream — and stain — right out. 

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Crayon marks on wood furniture
Crayon marks on wood tables are a common sight in homes with children, but it can be a breeze to fix. Willdorf recommends spreading some mayonnaise onto the stain and letting it sit for 10 minutes. “The oil and the egg in the mayonnaise works against the crayon marks,” Willdorf said. 

Once the time has passed, wipe off the mayonnaise with a towel and the stain should be no more. (Bonus: This also works to get water marks out of wood.)

Pet urine in carpet
Pet urine is the double whammy of stains, as it leaves a mark and an odor. To get rid of it, pour some club soda on the urine, then pat it dry. Spritz some vinegar on the spot, followed by a sprinkle of baking soda, then vacuum it up, revealing carpet that is as good as new. 

Ink marks on purses
Many leather handbags bear the pen marks from days past, but they don't have to. To remove stains and scuffs from leather bags, take a gum eraser — available at office and craft stores — and literally erase the mark. Willdorf does warn though that this method is best for non-oil-based pens, so Sharpie marks may live to see another day.