A cleaning expert has shared her top tips for removing scuffs and stains from walls and carpets using affordable everyday items
These erasers will get rid of stubborn marks(Image: JazzIRT via Getty Images)
The children have returned to school, but chances are your home still bears the traces of summer holiday arts and crafts sessions. Maintaining a tidy house while youngsters dash about, scatter glitter across tables and leave sticky fingerprints on every surface can seem like a never-ending battle.
Fortunately, a cleaning professional has revealed her expert advice for tackling the post-holiday mess now the little ones are back in class. David Wilson Homes collaborated with Sarah Dewison from North West Commercial Cleans to obtain her guidance on eliminating the marks left behind by your children’s creative exploits.
A frequent problem with young children involves their tendency to draw on walls.
If your kids have confused your pristine white walls for an artistic canvas, Sarah offers an excellent solution for removing their handiwork.
She explained: “If your walls are painted with washable or hard-wearing paint, a soft cloth with a small amount of washing-up liquid can help remove many marks. If the paint is not washable, you can still try gently cleaning the area, but it may need repainting depending on how it dries down afterwards.”
“Dry eraser pads can be a really effective way of removing scuffs and marks from most furniture. Hand sanitiser is another great hack for helping remove pen from plastic or glass tabletops, but this isn’t always suitable on wooden furniture.”
Amazon is currently offering a 10-pack of eraser pads for £4.99, working out at 50p each, with the product boasting over 5,000 positive reviews. Alternatively, Dunelm stocks a large eraser for £5, while B&Q sells a pack of three for £2.
Another area of your home that can take a battering over the holidays is your carpets.
Muddy footprints, spilt drinks and trodden-in crumbs can all leave your carpet looking rather tired.
Fortunately, Sarah has a solution for those as well. She explained: “With any spillages or marks on carpets, I always reach for lemon juice first. Pour it on the mark and dab it in lightly – there’s no need to dilute the lemon juice.
“Leave it for a few minutes and then work it in circular motions with a cloth. If that doesn’t work, a small amount of washing-up liquid mixed with warm water can also be effective.
“I find that this method works just as well, if not better, than other stain remover products on the market – making it great in a pinch, and also more affordable than expensive products.
“If the stain is still visible after trying these methods, it may be time to contact a professional carpet cleaner.”
