When you work in an office, spills are bound to happen—here’s how to deal with them.

When you work in an office, spills are bound to happen. Between changing the toner cartridge and throwing an office potluck, your office won’t stay pristine forever. And if you’re like most business owners, your office is your pride and joy.

But even the tidiest office can look messy when it’s covered in stains. Don’t worry – we’re here to help! In this article, you’ll learn how to remove different stains from every surface of your office. Let’s get started!

How to Remove Grease and Oil from Carpet

Oil stains are among the most stubborn stains – and your desk lunch can easily end up staining the carpet if you’re not careful. So it’s essential to address oil stains as soon as possible.

First, use a dull knife to remove excess oil. Work gently to avoid pushing the oil further into the carpet. Then, sprinkle the stain with cornstarch or baking soda and let it sit for 20 minutes to absorb the oil. Next, vacuum up the powder. To remove the remaining oil residue, use a small amount of concentrated dish soap.

Apply the soap with a small brush, working in circular motions. Next, rinse the affected area with a small amount of water, using a paper towel to pull the solution out of the carpet.

However, an easy alternative is to use a carpet cleaning machine and a specialized carpet shampoo. This will help you quickly remove the stain.

How to Clean Grease Stains From Kitchen Surfaces

Not only does kitchen grease cause a smelly buildup, but it also presents a serious fire hazard. So it’s critical to clean your office kitchen regularly.

First, you’ll need to cut the grease. You can use concentrated dish soap if you don’t have any specialized kitchen scouring powder. Let the solution sit for a few minutes before scrubbing for heavily soiled surfaces.

However, your best bet is to keep a specialized degreaser on hand in your office. These powerful chemicals will cut through grease stains on your kitchen surfaces, so they easily wipe up quickly with minimal scrubbing.

How to Remove Stains from Office Upholstery

Between morning coffee and office pizza parties, the upholstered surfaces in your office will no doubt start looking a little worse for wear over time. But if you’re diligent about cleaning those little spots and stains as soon as they happen, you can keep your office looking beautiful for years to come.

One great tip for food stains is to mix a little dish soap with cold water and blot the spot several times until it disappears. This will work for most grease stains.

However, stains involving more highly pigmented food and drink, such as tomato sauce or red wine, will require special attention. As soon as you notice the stain, use a remover specifically formulated for fabric and upholstery.

Use a paper towel to remove as much of the stain as possible, then apply the stain remover to the affected area. Let it sit for a while to soak in, then blot the stain up with a clean paper towel. Repeat the process if necessary.

How to Get Grease Off of Hard Floors

Keeping hard floors spick and span can be challenging, especially when dealing with grease and oil.

Your best bet is to use tile cleaner, a grout brush (for tile), and a quality mop. Cleaning grout is time-consuming, but keeping your tile floor clean can significantly improve the look of your space.

Moreover, grease and oil can pose a safety hazard on hard floors due to the risk of slipping. So it’s essential to make sure you clean your floors thoroughly.

How to Cut Through Grease on Glass and Stainless Steel

Thankfully, glass and stainless steel are pretty forgiving when it comes to stains. Unfortunately, the wrong type of cleaner can leave marks on your surfaces, so choosing the right cleaner is essential. Avoid using abrasive products on glass and stainless steel as you risk scratching the surface.

Sparkle Green Formula Glass Cleaner is a fantastic product that easily removes all types of residue and leaves a streak-free shine. Spray it on your appliances and watch the grease disappear.

How to Clean Coffee and Tea Spills

Drink spills are bound to happen in an office. Thankfully, you can easily treat coffee and tea stains with a specialized stain remover that targets the tannins in your favorite caffeinated beverages.

Tannins cause the brown discoloration (and bitter taste!) of coffee and tea stains. So using a cleaner that targets these tricky compounds is essential.

Mop up as much fluid as you can using paper towels. Then, spray your stain remover on the affected area and use a stiff bristle brush to work the solution into the stain. Wait 10-15 minutes before blotting the stain with a clean damp cloth.

How to Remove Ink, Marker, and Pencil Stains

Ink, marker, and pencil can make for a tough job when it comes to stain removal. Thankfully, if you treat the stain as soon as possible, you stand a good chance of getting ink and graphite out of fabric and off hard surfaces.

For ink stains, opt for a specialized product such as Nilodor Unbelievable Ink Stain Remover. This versatile product works on carpet, fabric, furniture, walls, and clothes. If you’re dealing with vandalism, you might benefit from a more heavy-duty product such as Claire’s Vandalism Mark and Stain Remover.

Whichever product you choose, be sure to read the instructions on the label carefully.

How to Clean Spilled Toner

If your office does a lot of printing, you’ll likely have to clean a toner stain at some point. Toner can be tricky to clean due to the small particle size of the dust and the fact that it melts under heat. Be sure to wear an N95 mask when dealing with spilled toner to avoid inhaling the tiny particles.

If you spilled the toner on a hard surface, sweep up the mess and use a damp cloth to wipe up the rest.

If you spilled the toner on carpet or upholstery, use a HEPA filter vacuum cleaner to get as much dust out of the fabric as possible. Then, use dry cleaning solvent to remove the rest of the toner.

Final Thoughts

Cleaning up spills and stains around your office can be a pain. After all, you’ve got plenty of other work, and cleaning stains can be time-consuming. But with the right products and techniques, you can keep your office clean and pleasant.

Unisan Supplies in Columbus, OH, provides the industry’s best safety equipment, janitorial supplies, and warehouse supplies. We know that health and safety are the primary priorities at any construction site. You can easily order any safety equipment or products you need through our online store.

Looking for a more customized solution that will save you time? Our team will work closely with you to ensure your safety and cleaning products are always stocked and on hand. Give our team a call at (614) 863-1700.