DIY Network

Office Spots and Stains Office Spots and Stains From "Talking Dirty With the Queen of Clean" episode DQOC-130

Figure A

Accidents can happen anywhere, and offices have their own types of spills and messes (figure A). And if you've ever eaten at your desk, you know it's easy to make a big mess in a small space. Typical spots and stains around the desk include the following:

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	Figure B
	Figure C

• Coffee or soda rings on the desk Warm water on a cloth usually removes the stain. Buff dry.

• Ballpoint ink on hard surfaces Apply hairspray, rubbing alcohol or denatured alcohol to the ink and give it a few seconds to penetrate the stain (figure B). Wipe off with a damp cloth and buff dry. Hairspray is also useful in removing ink stains from clothing.

• Toner spills Do not rub with a damp cloth; instead, brush gently with a brush to remove loose toner, then treat with rubbing alcohol (figure C). Blot and gently wipe until the toner is removed. Have patience, since this process may take a few minutes. Toner cloths are available, and their stretching ability is useful for picking up large quantities of loose toner.

• Highlighter/marker stains Treat with either rubbing alcohol or laundry pretreater, let it sit on the stain for at least 15 minutes, then work in with your thumbs. Let it sit for another 15 minutes and check for stain removal. Repeat the process as needed until the stain is removed.
  

  Figure D

• Adhesive spills on clothing Immerse the stain in heated white vinegar to remove the adhesive, then wash with laundry detergent in cool water. Nonacetone nail-polish remover can be used on difficult stains, but test the fabric for colorfastness is an inconspicuous place first (figure D).
  

Tip: Keep a home office more organized by keeping a small filing cabinet in a closet. Organize and store important papers in the filing cabinet.