I really need help, ladies! Our dog (big lab) got muddy paw prints all over an outdoor white cotton cushion at our friend's house. I want to clean it but I'm not sure what the best method would be. The tag on the cushion says "dry clean only", but it's a cotton cushion with polyester filling (from Pier 1). I'm skeptical that the dry cleaner could get out all the mud (it's that hard-to-remove red-tinted Virginia mud). Any ideas? Also, the dog's paw prints were all over the painted deck and we could not scrub off the mud. Even a power washer didn't work (it was taking the paint off, but not the muddy paw prints!). Any suggestions on how to clean that would be great too.
Thank you, ladies, for all your suggestions!! I ended up getting the Oxyclean spray and used that with a small scrub brush. It took some elbow grease, but the stains started to come off. Then I did the unthinkable and actually put the cushion in the washing machine with bleach and laundry detergent (great Amway products). It's a big cushion and barely fit, but that did the trick. All of that got the cushion clean!!! I popped it in the dryer and now it looks great. I'll be returning it to our friend today. By the way, the cushion is from Pier 1, and I stopped by there to check and make sure that I could purchase a new one just in case my cleaning methods ruined the cushion. They did have one in stock, but I'm glad I don't need to purchase it! Thanks again for all the wonderful suggestions.
I've used the Oxy Clean spray on my couches, and it works wonderfully. It's the spay stain remover in the laundry section. I've also used the Oxy Clean powder mixed with warm water, but the spray is much easier to use.
Hey H.,
You have got to try any one of Melaleuca's products to get that dirt out. Sol-U-Mel would work great on your cushion--actually, my favorite is the Prespot laundry stain remover (it got non-washable purple marker out of my carpet). I have a little artist! It absolutely won't harm your fabric. And, if it doesn't work, get your money back! You could also try a couple of different things on your deck--but not the Sol-U-Mel because it would probably also take paint off.
Let me know if you're interested in trying any or all of these products--also a very important point--there are no harsh chemicals in any of their products so no worries around your kids or animals. In fact, if you aren't already going green, you've got to consider getting all the info about their company. Safer, healthier, extremely effective stuff!
Good Luck!
M.
I have a home in the western part of Virginia and I found Krudkutter red Clay cleaner at the local Lowe's. Then they stopped carrying it and I contacted the website.
http://www.krudkutter.com/redclay.asp
Works good for the red stuff. C.
I've used an oxygen cleaner when my dogs have gotten wet clay all over, and also I've used a thick baking soda paste, carefully scrubbing it in, then pouring vinegar on it. It lifted the clay out, and then I jut sprayed it to make sure. Good luck!
I would put a few spoonfuls of oxyclean in hot water and use a toothbrush to remove stain
i use green alcohol. it works on everything. i have an 'off white' microfiber couch. don't ever buy that color when you have kids or pets. Anyway i found an ink mark on it. aahhh. My dear husband sat down at the computer and looked online...the solution was green alcohol. It took it off immediatly. I use it for everything now. My teenagers spilled chocolate yes teenagers not toddlers spilled chocolate in the backseat of my truck and left it there overnight. Never said a word. I found it Saturday afternoon. I grabbed a cotton ball and the green alcohol, now i have clean seats. hope it works for you.
M.
Hi H.,
The problem with that red Virginia mud is that what makes it red.I was told by a good friend who is a lot smarter than me that its caused by the iron in the dirt and that basically we are dealing with rust,She told me to put lemon juice on the stain or something made especially to take out rust and then wash as usual(I fell down a river bank in my best white shorts).I tried it and it worked beautifully for me.As for your friends cushion I would suggest you try a spray on carpet cleaner for heavy traffic areas.They work really well on red mud on fabric and carpet(I have a dog too and light beige upholstery on my sofa and I live in Va)
Hope this helps.
God Bless
S.
That's some dog!
Oxyclean? And a soak in some sunlight.
