How-To Videos

Will R. and his family bring the laughs while tackling dirty sneakers, spaghetti on the carpet, shower grime, and an ice-cream-stained shirt. Watch their video, then follow our recommended cleaning guides to give your own things another chance.

Ozzyy T.'s stained shirt gets a soak, and a stained carpet gets a spray treatment. Follow our step-by-step instructions for both methods, including the correct mixing ratio and the important finishing steps.

Not every stain is an easy win. When spraying wasn't enough to remove a stained collar and mystery pocket stain from Gökben's jacket, she stepped up to a full one-hour soak in Stain Solver and hot water. See why second applications, soaking, and a little persistence can sometimes save clothing you thought was permanently stained.

Blood stains can become harder to remove the longer they sit. See how an overnight blood stain was completely removed from a pillowcase using Stain Solver, plus tips for treating blood stains on both white and colored washable fabrics.

Cat doors get used over and over every day, which means they can collect an impressive amount of dirt, grime, paw residue, and whatever else your cat happens to bring along for the ride. Milo’s cat door was a perfect example. Over time, the white plastic frame had developed a noticeable layer of dirt and discoloration, especially around the bottom of the opening where paws and fur regularly make contact. The flexible door flap had also become dull and grimy. Instead of replacing the cat door, we gave it a good cleaning with Stain Solver. And the difference was easy to see.   What We Used For this cleaning project, we used: Stain Solver Hot water A quality spray bottle A cleaning rag That’s it. Step 1: Mix Stain Solver With Hot Water We added approximately 1/2 scoop of Stain Solver to our sprayer and filled it with hot water. The important part is making sure the Stain Solver dissolves completely before spraying. Give the solution time to dissolve, and agitate the sprayer as necessary before getting started. Step 2: Spray the Dirty Cat Door We sprayed the Stain Solver solution onto the dirty areas of Milo’s cat door, including the plastic frame, the lower ledge, and the flexible flap. The goal is to thoroughly wet the dirty surface rather than simply giving it a light mist. Step 3: Keep It Wet for 30 Minutes This is one of the most important parts of cleaning with Stain Solver. We kept the surface wet with the solution for approximately 30 minutes. Stain Solver needs contact time to do its work. If an area begins drying during that period, simply apply additional solution to keep it wet. There was no need for aggressive scrubbing. Step 4: Wipe Away the Grime After approximately 30 minutes, we used a cleaning rag to wipe down the cat door. The accumulated dirt and grime came away, leaving the white frame noticeably cleaner and the entire cat door looking refreshed. The before-and-after difference speaks for itself. Before You Replace It, Try Cleaning It Small household items like pet doors can gradually become so dirty that you stop noticing just how much grime has accumulated. Then one day, you really look at it. Milo’s cat door is a good reminder that something looking old or discolored doesn't necessarily mean it needs to be replaced. Sometimes, it just needs a proper cleaning. The same basic Stain Solver method can be useful for tackling plenty of washable household surfaces: Mix. Dissolve. Apply. Keep it wet. Give it time. Clean it away. Milo gets his cat door back, and we get one less dirty surface in the house. Solve Your Stains. Save Your Stuff.™ FAQs Is Stain Solver safe to use around pets and the environment? When used as directed, Stain Solver is a practical choice for cleaning in homes with pets. It is made from two ingredients, sodium percarbonate and sodium carbonate, and does not contain chlorine bleach, fragrances, or dyes. When mixed with water, sodium percarbonate breaks down into components including oxygen, water, and sodium carbonate. For pet-related cleaning projects, such as Milo’s cat door, keep pets away from the area while the Stain Solver solution is being applied and allowed to work. After cleaning, wipe or rinse the surface thoroughly, as appropriate, and allow it to dry before your pet resumes normal contact with the area. Stain Solver is also designed as an environmentally considerate alternative to many harsher household cleaners. As with any cleaning product, avoid allowing pets to ingest the powder or mixed solution, store the product securely, and follow the directions on the label. How do you clean a dirty cat door? Mix approximately 1/2 scoop of Stain Solver with hot water in a spray bottle and allow it to dissolve completely. Spray the dirty areas thoroughly, keep the surface wet for approximately 30 minutes, and then wipe away the loosened dirt and grime with a cleaning rag. How long should Stain Solver stay on a dirty surface? For this cat door cleaning project, the Stain Solver solution was kept wet on the surface for approximately 30 minutes. If the solution begins to dry, apply more to maintain contact with the dirty surface. Do you need to scrub when cleaning a cat door with Stain Solver? Aggressive scrubbing was not necessary for Milo’s cat door. After the Stain Solver solution remained wet for approximately 30 minutes, the dirt and grime could be wiped away with a cleaning rag. How much Stain Solver should you put in a spray bottle? For this project, approximately 1/2 scoop of Stain Solver was mixed into the sprayer with hot water. Be sure the powder is completely dissolved before spraying. Can a dirty pet door be cleaned instead of replaced? Depending on its condition, yes. Dirt and grime can make a pet door look much older than it actually is. Milo’s cat door looked significantly better after being treated with Stain Solver and wiped clean.  

Outdoor furniture is supposed to make your patio more inviting. But after a season of pollen, dirt, rain, spills, and everyday outdoor exposure, those once-bright cushions can start looking anything but inviting. That’s exactly what Nush A. was dealing with. Her white patio chair cushions had picked up visible dirt and discoloration, particularly around the areas that see the most use. Instead of replacing the cushions or accepting that dingy look, she put Stain Solver to work. The before-and-after difference speaks for itself. Watch here video here >>  From Dingy Outdoor Cushions to a Fresh, Clean Patio In Nush’s video, you can see the discoloration across the white cushions before she begins cleaning. She applies the cleaning solution directly to the fabric with a spray bottle, works the solution into the areas that need extra attention, and then thoroughly rinses the cushions with a garden hose. The result? The white cushions look dramatically brighter and cleaner, giving the entire patio chair a refreshed appearance. It’s a good reminder that outdoor cushions that look worn out may simply need a thorough cleaning. Before you replace it, try cleaning it.   How to Clean Outdoor Cushions with Stain Solver Nush’s demonstration is short, but the basic process is one you can use on many water-washable outdoor cushions and patio fabrics.   1. Start with a Dry Cushion Whenever possible, begin with dry fabric. Starting dry allows the Stain Solver solution to penetrate the material without immediately being diluted by water already in the cushion. Stain Solver recommends checking the fabric manufacturer’s care instructions and testing an inconspicuous area before treating the entire cushion.   2. Mix Stain Solver with Warm or Hot Water For most cleaning projects, the standard Stain Solver mixture is 1 tablespoon of Stain Solver per 1 cup of warm or hot water. For a 32-ounce spray bottle, that works out to approximately: 4 tablespoons of Stain Solver + 32 ounces of hot water Stir or shake the mixture until the powder is completely dissolved before spraying.   3. Apply It Evenly Nush uses a handheld spray bottle, which works especially well for cushions because it gives you control over where the solution goes. Rather than dumping cleaning solution onto the fabric, spraying helps distribute it more evenly across the surface. Be sure to treat the entire visibly dirty area. On a generally dingy cushion, cleaning a larger section rather than one tiny spot can also help prevent an obvious clean patch surrounded by older dirt.   4. Give Stain Solver Time to Work This is one of the most important parts of the process. Stain Solver's oxygen-based cleaning action begins once the powder is mixed with water. Giving that solution sufficient contact time allows it to work on the dirt and organic staining in the fabric. For many cleaning projects, Stain Solver recommends approximately 30 minutes to 2 hours of dwell time, depending on how dirty the material is. Keep the treated fabric wet during that time rather than allowing the cleaning solution to completely dry. A video demonstration may condense the process into a few seconds, but when you try it yourself, don't rush the wait.   5. Lightly Agitate Stubborn Areas if Needed Nush also works the solution into the cushion where additional cleaning is needed. Not every outdoor cushion requires heavy scrubbing. Often, giving Stain Solver enough time to work can reduce the amount of physical effort required. For particularly dirty spots, light agitation with an appropriate soft brush, sponge, or cloth can help loosen stubborn buildup.   6. Rinse Thoroughly Once Stain Solver has had time to work, thoroughly rinse the cushion with clean water. Nush uses a regular garden hose, which is generally all that is necessary. Make sure you rinse away the cleaning solution as well as the dirt it has loosened.   7. Let the Cushions Dry Completely Allow outdoor cushions to dry thoroughly before returning them to regular use or storing them. Good airflow and adequate drying time are especially important with thick cushions that can retain water internally.   A Spray Bottle Can Make Outdoor Cushion Cleaning Easier Nush’s video also demonstrates one of our favorite ways to use Stain Solver. Spray it. A sprayer makes it much easier to: Apply solution evenly Target heavily soiled areas Avoid unnecessarily soaking the cushion Reapply a light mist if the surface begins drying Cover larger cushions efficiently For bigger outdoor projects, a one-gallon pump sprayer can make the same process even easier. Stain Solver can also be used on many other outdoor surfaces, including furniture, rugs, patios, decks, railings, and siding when the material is appropriate for the cleaner.   Don't Assume Dingy Means Done Outdoor cushions live a tough life. They encounter pollen, dust, humidity, food, drinks, dirty shoes, pets, leaves, and everything else Mother Nature throws at your patio. Eventually, even good outdoor furniture can start looking tired. But dirty isn't necessarily damaged. Nush’s patio chair is a great example of what can happen when you give something a chance to be cleaned before deciding it needs to be replaced. A little Stain Solver, some water, a sprayer, patience, and a good rinse gave those white cushions a fresh start. Clean it. Refresh it. Keep it. Before you spend money replacing an outdoor cushion, patio chair, rug, or another washable outdoor item because it looks dirty, see what a thorough cleaning can do. You might already own exactly what you need.   FAQ: Cleaning Outdoor Cushions with Stain Solver Can I use Stain Solver on outdoor cushions? Stain Solver can be used on many water-washable outdoor fabrics and cushions. Always check the manufacturer's cleaning instructions first and test a small, inconspicuous area before treating the entire item. Stain Solver specifically advises against using it on wool or silk. How much Stain Solver should I mix for a spray bottle? A common starting ratio is 1 tablespoon of Stain Solver per 1 cup of warm or hot water. A 32-ounce spray bottle would therefore use approximately 4 tablespoons.  How long should Stain Solver sit on an outdoor cushion? For many cleaning applications, allowing approximately 30 minutes or longer gives the oxygen-based cleaner time to work. Heavier buildup may require additional time. Keep the area wet while the solution is working. Do I have to scrub outdoor cushions? Not necessarily. Giving Stain Solver sufficient dwell time may reduce how much scrubbing is required. Light agitation can be helpful for stubborn dirt or stains. Do I need a pressure washer? No. Nush’s demonstration uses a regular garden hose for rinsing. For fabric cushions, a garden hose also avoids the aggressive force that can come with pressure washing. Should I rinse Stain Solver out of outdoor cushions? Yes. After the solution has had time to work, rinse the cushion thoroughly with clean water and allow it to dry completely.