Shopper cleans up with a steal of a deal

Last week Gwen (Northwest Environmental Services quality assurance inspector) came to the office carrying a love seat cover that she had just bought from the Goodwill for $9.

She explained how she was re-doing her basement family room and that the love seat cover would fit perfectly on her love seat; however, there was one slight problem, there was a very large stain on the skirt of the cover. Gwen further explained, to purchase the cover new would cost well over $100. 1 asked her what she thought the stain was, she responded with oil, grease and dirt, and handed me the cover. I took the cover and briefly examined it. The first thing I noticed was a dry cleaning agent smell. I pulled out my second set of eves (glasses) to see if the stain had been set by heat. At first blush, it didn't look like it. I asked her If I could keep it for a couple of day and I would try to bust the stain. She promptly agreed.

That evening when I got home I brought in with me the Love Seat cover. I took it to my laundry room. got a pair of magnifying glasses and looked at the fibers making up the material. The cover was made of cotton and rayon. It was obvious that someone tried to clean the material unsuccessfully.

I opened my laundry cabinet doors and got out spray bottles of ammonia, peroxide, vinegar. Dawn dish soap. OxyClean, and Murphy's Oil. Using a process of scrubbing and flushing. the stains finally broke loose. I finished the process by washing the cover in cold water and drying it using a delicate cycle.

Gwen was very happy when she got her almost new love seat cover back. She said , with a broad smile on her face, "What a steal of a deal."

If you are allergic to any of the above products, please don't use them. Always test fabric and paints before using any chemical compounds. Please remember to wear rubber gloves to protect your hands and eye protection for your eyes. If you would like to share a cleaning idea or concept with the reading audience, please call Ed at 255-2266 or send them to Bonner County Daily Bee, 310 Church St., Sandpoint, ID 83864, Attn: What Would Ed Do?

Copy written by Ed Madan, certified executive housekeeper, Northwest Environmental Services.