Cleaning Stubborn Surface Stains

Tough stains? Rise to the occasion with these reliable cleaning methods.

1. Clean a cutting board by sprinkling salt over the surface and then rubbing with half a lemon. The lemon disinfects the surface, and the salt acts as an abrasive.

2. To clean tough stains on ceramic tile, scrape off debris with a putty knife.

3. Scrub grout stains with a nylon scrubbing pad and liquid dishwashing soap. Apply grout sealer twice a year thereafter as a preventive measure.

4. Clean enamel and porcelain stains with baking soda. If that doesn’t work, rub gently with turpentine in a well-ventilated room. Rinse with a solution of liquid dishwashing soap and hot water.

5. For any type of china, rub with baking soda to remove stains.

6. Use caution when cleaning laminate. Never use a product designed to remove lime or mineral deposits, because it contains an acid that can ruin your surface.

7. Clean your toaster surface by spraying on an all-purpose cleaner and very gently scraping with a safety razor. It won’t ruin the finish if it stays wet. Dry with a paper towel.

8. Remove stains from marble with a mixture of one part hydrogen peroxide (3 percent) to four parts water. Rub the stain with this, cover with plastic wrap and wipe off. Repeat if necessary.