A website from UGA Cooperative Extension

Textiles

Remove Stains From Gelatin (Flavored/Unflavored)

Carpet

Blended Fibers, Synthetic Fibers, Wool

  1. Blot up as much of the material as possible. Sponge with clear, cool water and blot. Spray the stain with a commercial household cleaner (such as 409) and blot, twisting the cloth as you blot. The twisting motion will work the stain to the surface. If necessary, agitate with an old toothbrush. Blot up excess cleaning agent. Sponge again with clear, cool water. Blot thoroughly. Place a stack of dry cloths over area and weight down with books. Remove the books and absorbent cloths and set pile by running your hand across pile (against nap) of the carpet. Allow carpet to dry.
  2. Since gelatin is a digestive stain, spray it lightly with a laundry pre-soak product. Cover the stain with a pad moistened ·withthe pre-soak solution. Let it stand for 10-15 minutes, adding more solution if needed to keep the pad moist. Do not allow the wet area to spread. When no more stain is evident, sponge with clear water and blot well with an absorbent cloth. Set the pile by running your hand over the carpet (moving against the nap). Allow to dry thoroughly.
  3. If discoloration remains, treat the stain as a dye (see Dye).

CAUTIONS:

  • Be careful any time a commercial product or combination of cleaning supplies are used.
  • Always pretest each cleaning agent on an inconspicuous area first to determine colorfastness.

Hard Surface Floors

Marble

  1. Scrape, blot or sponge to remove excess gelatin. Wash the surface with a cloth dipped in warm sudsy water. Rinse well and wipe dry.
  2. If any stain remains, mix a poultice of water, detergent and hydrogen peroxide bleach. Apply the paste to the surface, cover with a damp cloth to retard evaporation and let it stand. When the stain has been bleached out, rinse well with clear water and wipe dry.

Stone/Masonry (Marble)

  1. Scrape, blot or sponge to remove excess gelatin. Wash the surface with a cloth dipped in warm sudsy water. Rinse well and wipe dry.
  2. If any stain remains, mix a poultice of water, detergent and bleach. Apply the paste to the surface, cover with a damp cloth to retard evaporation and let it stand. When the stain has been bleached out, rinse well with clear water and wipe dry.

CAUTIONS:

  • Be careful any time a commercial product or combination of cleaning supplies are used.
  • Be sure to store and dispose of products/cans/containers as recommended. Keep out of reach of chi Idren.

Wood (Oiled, Polyurethaned, Stained, Varnished, Waxed)

Wipe up any excess spill. Mix dish\”ashing detergent in hot water and s”/ish to make a great volume of suds. Dip a cloth in only the foam and apply to the stain. Rinse with a clean cloth dipped and wrung out in clear water. Polish or wax as may be needed.

Wood (Exterior, Interior)

Wipe up any excess spill. Mix dishwashing detergent in hot water and swish to make a great volume of suds. Dip a cloth in only the foam and apply to the stain. Rinse with a clean cloth dipped and wrung out in clear water. Polish or wax as may be needed.

Upholstered Furniture

Blended Fibers, Fiberglass, Natural Fibers, Synthetic Fibers, Vinyl, Vinyl Coated, Wool

  1. Scrape or blot to remove all excess spill, being extremely careful to prevent spreading the stain. Apply a commercial dry-cleaning solvent’ to a cotton ball, cotton swab or a folded absorbent white cloth. Dab at the stain carefully to avoid over-saturating the fabric, it’s backing or stuffing material. Continue dabbing until no more stain is being removed. Blot.
  2. Make a solution of 1 teaspoon white, liquid dishwashing detergent and 1 cup of lukewarm water. Moisten a cloth or sponge and apply to stained area. Then sponge with clear water. Blot thoroughly. Allow to dry as quickly as possible to prevent rings from forming on fabrics. Sometimes solvents’ are of little or no use on stains like gelatin. Therefore you may want to go directly to Method #3.
  3. If stains persist, spray the stain lightly with a laundry pre-soak product such as Shout or Spray ‘n Wash. Cover with a folded absorbent cloth that has been dampened in the pre-soak solution. Allow it to remain for 10-15 minutes. Blot. Sponge with clear water. Blot thoroughly and allow to dry quickly.

CAUTIONS:

  • Be careful any time a commercial product or combination of cleaning supplies are used.
  • Always pretest each cleaning agent on an inconspicuous area first to determine colorfastness.
  • When using caustic, toxic, aromatic or flammable cleaning solutions, be certain to provide for adequate ventilation. Do not have an open flame near flammable cleaning solutions. Wear rubber gloves.
  • When using solvent-based cleaners on carpet or upholstery, be careful not to overwet the carpet or the fabric. Solvents can destroy the carpet backing and foam padding used in upholstery.
  • Overwetting with water may cause the finish on the upholstery fabric to migrate and thus leave a circle in the treated area.

Leather

  1. Gently scrape or blot away the excess gelatin. Wipe with a solution of mild soap and warm water. Be sure to wipe the suds away thoroughly with a clean, damp cloth. Wipe dry with clean, dry cloth.
  2. If a stain remains, make a paste of Fuller’s Earth and water. Apply to the stain and allow to dry. Brush off the powder. Repeat if necessary. Follow with an application of a commercial leather conditioner such as saddle soap if the leather is untreated.

Walls And Ceilings

Paper (Leather, Suede)

  1. Gently scrape or blot away the excess gelatin. Mix a solution of mild soap in lukewarm water. Swish to create a great volume of suds. Apply only the foam to the stain with a sponge. Wipe with a clean, dry cloth.
  2. If a stain remains, make a paste of Fuller’s Earth and water. Apply to the stain and allow the paste to dry. Brush off the powder. Repeat if necessary. If leather, follow with an application of a commercial leather conditioner such as saddle soap.

CAUTIONS:

  • Be careful any time a commercial product or combination of cleaning supplies are used.
  • Be sure to store and dispose of products/cans/containers as recommended. Keep out of reach of chiIdren.

Wood, Paneling (Stained)

Wipe up any excess spill. Mix dishwashing detergent in hot water and swish to make a great volume of suds. Dip a cloth in only the foam and apply to the stain. Rinse with a clean cloth dipped and wrung out in clear water. Polish or wax as may be needed.

Other/Interior

Alabaster

  1. Scrape, blot or sponge to remove excess gelatin. Wash the surface with a cloth dipped in warm sudsy water. Rinse well and wipe dry.
  2. If any stain remains, mix a poultice of water, detergent and hydrogen peroxide bleach. Apply the paste to the surface, cover with a damp cloth to retard evaporation and let it stand. When the stain has been bleached Dut, rinse well with dear water and wipe dry.

Kitchen/Bathroom Cabinets (Wood)

Wipe up any excess spill. Mix dishwashing detergent in hot water and swish to make a great volume c. suds. Dip a cloth in only the foam and apply to the stain. Rinse with a clean cloth dipped and wrung out in clear water. Polish or wax as may be needed.