How to Clean Honey Stains

Honey, though delicious in taste, makes quite a mess, especially when it gets dripped on fabrics. It is difficult to remove because of its high viscosity and sticky nature. Basically, this golden fluid is a combination of different types of sugars and other compounds.

Nevertheless, you can remove honey stains from your clothes, carpets, and other valuable items. It is best to treat the stain as soon as possible or else it tends to crust over and gets stuck in the fibers. In addition, it may discolor white and light-colored fabrics.

How to Get Rid of Honey Stains

Steps for Cleaning Honey Stains from Fabrics

Wipe off excess honey using a spoon, working your way from the outside to the inside so that you do not spread the stain further.
If the stain begins to harden then scrape it off with a dull knife.
Place the affected area under cold, running water. For best results, use a high-pressure spray nozzle and preferably, treat the stain from the backside as well to help loosen up the stain.
Now, you can pre-treat the stain with a prewash stain remover or simply rub some liquid detergent on the stained area and let it sit for about five minutes.
Rinse the fabric with hot water. If the stain is still there then repeat step 3 to 5 again before placing the clothing in the dryer, or else the stain will set in deeper.

You could also use bleaching agents like lemon juice, white vinegar or hydrogen peroxide to get rid of the stain but they may mar the beauty of the fabric by bleaching its color.

Steps for Cleaning Honey Stains from Carpets

Gently remove excess honey from the carpet using a dull knife.
Make a simple cleaning solution by mixing a teaspoon of dishwashing liquid in a cup of warm water.
Soak a sponge or a clean white cloth in it and blot it on the stained area until the stain is removed.
Finally, sponge the affected area with cold water and dry it with a clean rag.

If the dishwashing liquid does not help, consider using an ammonia solution prepared by mixing a tablespoon of ammonia in two cups of water. When creating a cleaning solution with ammonia, do not ever mix it with bleach as it shall produce toxic vapors and fumes that are hazardous.

Steps for Cleaning Honey from Hard Surfaces

If there has been a major spill of honey on a kitchen cabinet, shelf, etc., then it is best to first lift off the excess honey with a spatula or a butter knife.
Next, soak a kitchen rag or sponge in hot water.
Clean the affected area with this rag. You may have to apply elbow grease, too. Repeat until it cleans the surface completely.
Finally, remove the sticky residue with hot water and soap or an all-purpose cleaner.

Additional Tips

If you do not want this natural sweetener to leave you with a bitter experience, make sure you take proper steps to clean the stain immediately before it sets deep.
Do not wipe off a fresh honey stain with a paper towel as it likely to make the stain bigger. You can dab a damp paper towel afterwards, though.
In case the honey stain is pretty old, you can try using oxidized bleach.

How to Clean Honey Stains was posted first at Topcleaningsecrets