Want a spotless house post-Holi?

Shristi Nangalia

Holi is just around the corner. As much as it’s a fun and enjoyable festival, it is equally difficult to keep the children, relatives and friends from staining your entryway, living room, bathroom etc. with colours. But, do not worry! Here’s a guide on removing blemishes and stains from different materials and surfaces.

Take care of floor tiles

Dry gulaal and powdered colours should be picked up with a dry broom or vacuum cleaned immediately to avoid spreading the same throughout the house. Wet colour stains on ceramic tiles can be soaked with a paste of baking soda and water, and mopped with warm water for best results. Natural stone tiles are porous in nature. The ones that are not honed and polished are heavily vulnerable to permanent damage or discolouration. As an instant precaution, spread newspaper across the floor of all living spaces of your home.

Coat the walls

Prior to the festival, apply a coat of anti-stain varnish over the paint of interior, exterior or boundary walls to avoid sticking wet stains. In case the stain still seeps through, gently rub the area with a mixture of bleach and water.

Wipe off the wood

Once you wipe off excessive dry or wet colour from the wood surface, damp acetone or hydrogen peroxide with a sponge or soft brush and gently wipe off the tough stains. Do not scrub or wipe harshly with a hard brush. You may end up scrapping the varnish/ polish.

Vacuum the carpet

Vacuuming the carpet or rug will let you clean up dry Holi colours. But for wet colour stains, make a paste of warm water, cloth detergent and shampoo. Apply and brush the stained area with that paste a couple of times.

Cover your upholstery

Be proactive and cover your sofas, chaise, ottomans, chairs, cushions and day beds with old bedsheets or plastic wraps to avoid as much damage as possible. However if these still get soiled, use vacuum cleaner to suck off dry colours. To remove wet colours, a solution of white vinegar or lemon could be your best bet. Soak the stained area with white vinegar, sprinkle baking soda over it and leave for 10-15 minutes. Gently wipe the stain with a cotton cloth or cotton ball.

Sparkle the glass

A solution of baking soda in water works best in removing spots and marks from glass surfaces.

Oil the handles

A simple hack to protect your faucets and handles is by smearing these with petroleum jelly or mustard oil beforehand. But, you should be prepared for the worst too. Stained metal can be effectively cleaned with acetone or mild detergent. Keep these handy and remove the stains as quick as you can. The longer the stain remains, the harder it is to clean.