Don't let the catsup and mustard blues get you down

June is here and with that comes hot dogs, hamburgers and french fries. I don’t think there is anything better on a hot weekend day than a cold bottle of beer and a burnt hot dog.

I must have holes in my lips because it seems like I always get catsup and mustard on my freshly cleaned shirt.

If you have holes in your lips too and get mustard on your shirt, don’t fret and please don’t wash that item until you try this.

First, scrap off and soak up as much of the mustard as possible. Get some liquid dishwashing soap (non-bleaching) and mix one tablespoon of it into one cup of water, blot the spot using the soap and let solution soak in the material for about 5 to 7 minutes.

Scrub the stain with a used tooth brush and then rinse with cool water.

If the stain is still there, soak the spot with some vinegar and then rinse with cool water. If the stain is still there, bleach the spot with some hydrogen peroxide.

For catsup or tomato sauce stains, the procedure is a little different.

Again get some liquid dishwashing soap (non-bleaching); mix 1 tablespoon of it into a cup of water. Blot the spot using the soap and let it stand for about 5 minutes.

Scrub the stain with a toothbrush and then rinse with cool water. Don’t use hot water or you will set the stain.

If the stain is still there, mix two tablespoons of household ammonia into 1/2 cup of water. Blot the stain with the solution for about 3 to 5 minutes. Finally rinse the spot with cool water and the spot should be gone. If not, repeat the process again.

When cleaning with any cleaning product, always wear eye protection and rubber gloves to protect your hands. If you would like to share a cleaning idea or concept with the reading audience, call Ed at NWES (255-2266), email them to madan@surfl.ws or send them to Bonner County Daily Bee, 310 Church street, Sandpoint, ID 83864, Attn: What would Ed do? For more information about Ed, check him out at NWEES.COM

n Copy written by Edmond E. Madan, certified forensic, fire, flood, mold inspection and remediation/restoration contractor. Ed is the president of Northwest Environmental Services, Inc.