Merry Maids Shares Cleaning Hacks for the Most Common #SummerStains

Merry Maids
Published: July 18th, 2017

Expert-tested DIY cleaning hacks relieve the stress of summer’s most notorious stains

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - July 17, 2017 - (BUSINESS WIRE) - As you fill your summer days enjoying the pool, backyard barbecues, family vacations and more, Merry Maids, one of the nation’s largest home cleaning providers and a ServiceMaster (NYSE: SERV) company, is sharing easy cleaning hacks to tackle some of summer’s toughest stains.

“This is the time of year people should be focused on making memories with their families, not getting duped by some of the stains that can drive us all crazy,” says Debra Johnson, Merry Maids cleaning expert. “You have to move quickly to get the best results, but thankfully, we have some great tips to help you take care of stains from grass, mud, sunscreen, frozen treats and more.”

Here are a few of Johnson’s favorite cleaning hacks to help make sure stains don’t leave their mark on your summer. No matter what stain you’re tackling, it’s important to test an inconspicuous area before beginning.

• Grass Stains
  These can be a parent’s worst nightmare, but have no fear, Merry Maids has a simple and natural solution: vinegar. Apply a mixture of equal parts white vinegar and water to the stained area, let it sit for 15-30 minutes, then launder the item and let it air dry. For set-in stains, combine vinegar and baking soda to create a paste, and rub it onto the stain with a toothbrush, launder the item and let it air dry.
• Muddy footprints
  If you’ve ever forgotten to remove your shoes after gardening, or had kids make a mad dash through the house after playing in the sprinkler, you know what a mess muddy footprints can leave on carpets or rugs. In most cases, the first rule of stain removal is to act fast - but in this case, your best bet is to let the mud dry completely and then move the hose attachment on your vacuum cleaner slowly across the affected areas. You’ll probably still have some residue, so gently scrape it with a flat object to loosen it, then vacuum again. Once you have as much off as possible, put a bit of dishwashing liquid on a damp microfiber and gently blot. Then, rinse the cloth of any sudsy residue and blot again. Repeat as necessary - and be sure you have a mat by the door to remind family and guests to wipe their shoes and feet before coming indoors.
• Berries and Juice
  These are summer staples, but when put into kids’ hands they can make quite a mess. It’s best to catch these spills in the act, first with a paper towel and then a wet microfiber cloth soaked in warm water. If the spill occurs on a cloth surface, blot the wet area with ice cubes and dry it with a microfiber cloth. For berry-stained hands, combine lemon juice with salt to remove the color left by the berry’s juices.
• Sunscreen Residue
  Sunscreen is a must, but if you apply it inside your home, be careful. Lotions can leave oily residue on your hands, which you can transfer to furniture, clothes or other things you touch. Aerosol varieties may seem easier to apply, but watch where you spray it, as it can leave a film over windows, walls and floors. For mirrors, windows and walls, wipe the excess with a dry microfiber cloth, then use warm water and liquid dishwashing detergent to remove the remaining residue. For floors, remove the excess sunscreen with a microfiber cloth or spatula, sprinkle baking soda over the area and let it sit for a few hours, then vacuum the area.
• Frozen treats
  They’re the best hot weather snack, but the high temps will have them dripping all over, causing quite the sticky mess. To prevent ice pops from creating a melting mess, Johnson suggests cutting a hole in the bottom of a cupcake wrapper and placing the wrapper around its base. If it melts past the wrapper and drips on clothing, first dampen the stain with dishwashing liquid solution, then cover it with a white towel and run a hot iron over the towel, transferring most of the stain to the towel. If you run into sticky countertops, wipe them down with warm water and mild dishwashing liquid - avoid citrus for granite and stone counters - and a microfiber cloth. Grab a fresh, dry microfiber cloth to dry off the countertops to avoid leaving behind water marks.

If the summer months have you strapped for time, your local Merry Maids is here to help keep your home clean while you spend time making memories with family and friends. To find the nearest Merry Maids location, visit MerryMaids.com. Merry Maids can customize a cleaning plan for your home, ensuring a consistent, reliable and thorough cleaning every time. For more tips, visit the Merry Maids blog.

About Merry Maids

Merry Maids is the largest home cleaning franchise network in the United States. Merry Maids provides services in 48 states and the District of Columbia through approximately 360 franchises. The company also provides home cleaning services in Canada, Ireland and the United Kingdom and has licensing arrangements whereby licensees provide these services in Hong Kong, Japan, South America, South Korea, Southeast Asia and Australia. Through its company-owned and franchise locations, Merry Maids employs more than 8,000 home cleaning professionals who service homes on four continents, including more than 200,000 homes in North America every month. Merry Maids is a business unit of ServiceMaster Global Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: SERV), a leading provider of essential residential and commercial services. Go to www.merrymaids.com for more information about Merry Maids or follow us at twitter.com/MerryMaids and facebook.com/MerryMaids. Merry Maids is the Official Home Cleaning Provider of Minor League Baseball™.

About ServiceMaster

ServiceMaster (NYSE: SERV) solves the homeowner’s dilemma. Every day, we visit more than 75,000 homes and businesses through our extensive service network of expert professionals. Technology powers our trusted experts to engage with customers so they can order, buy and receive services when, where and how they want them. Our well-recognized brands includes American Home Shield (home warranties), AmeriSpec (home inspections), Furniture Medic (furniture repair), Merry Maids (residential cleaning), ServiceMaster Clean (janitorial and residential floor cleaning), ServiceMaster Restore (disaster restoration) and Terminix (termite and pest control). Like, follow or visit us at facebook.com/ServiceMaster, linkedin.com/ServiceMaster, twitter.com/ServiceMaster, or servicemaster.com. ServiceMaster is the Official Home Services Provider of Minor League Baseball™.

Contacts:

Alison Bishop
For Merry Maids
901-597-8978
alison.bishop@servicemaster.com

Katy Cirrone
617-939-8395
kcirrone@conecomm.com

SOURCE ServiceMaster