If you’re not going out, then there’s nothing nicer than settling in front of the TV on a Friday or Saturday night with your favourite takeaway.
However these deliciously greasy and sticky meals can quite easily stain your furniture even if you’re careful.
Not to worry if you do, though, as the cleaning experts at Good Housekeeping Institute (GHI) have found ways to remove even the toughest takeaway stains.
From the best way of cleaning up curry or chilli sauce to wiping away greasy fingermarks, these are the cleaning hacks you will need next time you’ve ordered a takeaway to your door.
1. CURRY SAUCE
Curry sauce can easily stain your clothes or furniture thanks to the turmeric in yellow sauces such as korma (pictured) but there are ways of removing it using household products
It’s the turmeric in bright yellow curry sauces, such as korma, that is the worst offender for leaving a huge stain on your furniture.
The GHI experts say that if you’re quick, you can remove the stain so it looks brand new.
First, they advise absorbing what you can with paper towels as quickly as possible after the stain has occurred.
Then blot with denatured alcohol – methylated spirits – on a paper towel and leave for 10 minutes. Blot again and repeat until there is no more transfer of colour on the towel.
If the stain is on your clothes, machine wash at a high temperature using a biological detergent. Dry in the sunshine, if possible.
2. FISH AND CHIPS
Removing fish and chip grease stains is easy if you have cornflour or talcum powder in the house
Fish and chips is a British classic, but tucking into the delicious dish may leave you with greasy fingers that can in turn leave greasy fingermarks around the house.
Treat any marks on fabrics with talcum powder or cornflour, say the experts. Leave for five minutes, and then brush off.
If the stain is still there on any washable fabrics, then rub in a little washing up liquid and machine wash.
3. SOY SAUCE
It’s the soy sauce that comes with a Chinese stir fry or with Japanese sushi that is most likely to stain your clothes or furniture
Soy sauce really lifts any Chinese stir fry of Japanese sushi, but it can easily stain your clothes or furniture.
But the experts say it should wash out if you act quickly. Blot any excess and then splash on cool water.
Rub with a little washing up liquid and leave for a few minutes before washing with biological detergent in the washing machine.
4. PIZZA
It’s difficult but not impossible to remove tomato stains after eating a delicious takeaway pizza but make sure you act quickly
Tomato stains are some of the toughest to remove, so make sure you act quickly if you spy a mark.
First, scrape off any solids with a blunt kitchen knife and then blot with a paper towel.
Add a few drops of a detergent solution to the stain and massage in, before applying a bit of cool water.
Treat with a stain remover product, and then machine wash if possible. If the stain persists, try soaking the item in a colour-safe bleach.
5. CHILLI SAUCE
Chilli sauce is water-based so it’s fairly easy to remove from clothes or furniture
This is one of the easiest stains to remove, according to the experts.
Just apply a stain remover product according to the packet instructions, and then wash the item as normal.