What is the chemical makeup of Stain Solver?

The actual chemical name for Stain Solver is - peroxyhydrated carbonate of soda. That's a fancy name for a special dried hydrogen peroxide and soda ash. The raw materials used in the active ingredient of Stain Solver are so pure, they're registered with the FDA as food-grade quality. That's just about as pure as you can get. What's more, we put in the maximum amount of active ingredient as allowed by the Federal Department of Transportation.

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Is it safe to use Stain Solver without protection?

No. Stain Solver is a chemical. You must not allow it to come in contact with your eyes, mucus membrane, open cuts or in your eyes. Wear gloves and goggles when using any chemical including Stain Solver.

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Is Stain Solver safe around plants and trees?

Yes, when the solution is splashed on a plant or soaks into the soil. It is not a good idea to allow the powder to come into direct contact with plants. If you do splash some of the solution on plants, it's a good idea to immediately rinse the solution off of the plant. It's never a great idea to put chemicals on plants, so don't take a chance. Rinse off any solution splash just to make sure.

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How do I mix Stain Solver?

Use warm to mildly hot water. Add product to water and stir. It can take 2-3 minutes for all of the powder to dissolve.

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I followed your instructions, but my tile grout is not getting clean. Is there a problem with the Stain Solver? If not, what's wrong?

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How do you measure Stain Solver?

Use a regular measuring cup that you have in your kitchen. The units of measure on the label are VOLUME not weight. Kitchen measuring cups measure by volume.

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How much should I mix at one time?

Only mix as much liquid as you can use in 1 to 2 hours. Once mixed with water, Stain Solver only has a "pot life" of about 4 - 6 hours. After that time, it no longer produces the stain fighting oxygen ion!

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What's the best scrub brush to use?

We feel the best brush is one with stiff nylon bristles that are between 3/4 and 1-inch long. The brush in these photos is great for exterior scrubbing of concrete, brick or other masonry surface. Similar smaller brushes for interior tile can be found in many grocery stores or businesses that sell household cleaning tools. Watch the video below the photos to see a brush we used to clean ceramic tile grout.

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I used your Stain Solver and there is a white film on my tile. What is wrong?

You have to change the rinse water frequently! The white film is soda ash. Here is a test. Take a wet paper towel and wipe ONE tile only. Then immediately, take a dry paper towel and dry it WITHOUT touching adjacent tiles. The dried tile will shine. Proof that soda ash is being left with using fouled rinse water. 

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There is a white residue after the product has dried. What is it and how do I remove it?

The white residue could be small undissolved pellets of Stain Solver and/or dried soda ash. In many cases, you can use a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment to remove it. If that doesn't work, use generous amounts of fresh rinse water to remove the residue. If the rinse water is not changed frequently, you will continue to see residue once the rinse water dries. 

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Will Stain Solver harm ceramic tile glaze?

Dear Tim: Some of my Stain Solver got on my floor tiles rather than just on the grout. The tiles effected have a lighter color than the rest of the tile.  Is there some way this can be repaired to look like the rest of the tile? Thanks. - Carol W., Auburn, AL

Dear Carol: I had this issue with another woman about two months ago. We traced it to her using floor cleaning products in the past that didn't actually clean the floor and left thin layers of the cleaning product with residual dirt. She had multiple thin layers of dirts on her floor, but she actually though the floor was clean.

It's "impossible" for my Stain Solver to remove the glaze or pigments from floor tile. Ceramic tile is one of the most durable flooring materials made. That's why you see them in restaurants and other commercial buildings.

That being said, here's what I want you to do:

Get a 12 oz regular glass and fill it with hot water. Take one tablespoon of my Stain Solver and dissolve it in this water. Stir till completely dissolved.

Take two clean dry paper towels and fold them over on each other so they completely cover a floor tile about 8 x 8. Pour half the glass of solution onto the paper towels while they are on a tile making sure the towels are completely saturated. Let sit for an hour.

At the end of the hour, remove the paper towels and add more solution to the tile. Take a stiff scrub brush and scrub the tile. Immediately rinse the tile with clear water and dry with paper towels.  

The tile you worked on should look like new.

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Can you ship my Stain Solver by US Mail? It seems cheaper do do  this!

No, we can't ship Stain Solver by US Mail (USPS) or FedEx. Stain Solver is such a powerful cleaner, they will not allow it into their system. Federal regulations requires that oxygen bleach be shipped via ground only. No air shipments. This is the reason Stain Solver can't be shipped to Alaska or Hawaii.  Both USPS and FedEx moves their freight by air. Thus, all shipments go via UPS Ground.

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Will Stain Solver work on colored grout?

Stain Solver will clean colored grout and will not harm it. Watch the video on the home page. Same process for slate.

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Will Stain Solver work on epoxy grout?

Stain Solver will NOT harm any grout. Epoxy grout being the most durable. The trick is to put in the shower drain and FLOOD the shower basin with my solution. Mix 3/4 cup per gallon of hot water and dissolve the powder.

Let the solution soak for hours, scrubbing from time to time.

As for the walls, you mix up the same solution and pour it into an old spray bottle and spritz the walls, keeping them wet with the solution for up to an hour. Not easy. Then you scrub from time to time.

Another method for wall cleaning is to mix 1/2 cup of Stain Solver per gallon of water with a squirt of Dawn Dishwashing Liquid.

It's lots of work because many people let the mold go too long and it penetrates into the grout.

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Will Stain Solver clean grout on an interior slate floor?

It will absolutely clean the grout and not harm the slate.

Is Stain Solver safe for sealed Saltillo tile floors?

You bet it's safe! Stain Solver can't hurt any tile or grout.

Beware though, it does such a great job turning it back to original, you may think it ruined it! We get that complaint frequently - people forget what the floors looked like when new.

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Will a floor scrubbing machine as well as a scrub brush?

A customer asked when using Stain Solver to clean tile grout, will a floor scrubbing machine work as well as a scrub brush? Sure would take less muscle!  The answer is you bet the machine will do better as long as the bristles of the machine contact the grout. That's mission critical! If the bristles only contact the top surface of the tiles, the grout won't get scrubbed.

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Why are the edges of the tiles darker after cleaning?

A Stain Solver user commented "Cleaned grout on ceramic bathroom tile on sink counter. Mixed solution and followed instructions on bottle. The edges of some tiles have darkened. The tile is an off white color. Please help my wife is going to kill me!  See attached picture."

There could be several reasons for this discoloration. First, the edges on some inexpensive tiles are not glazed. This allows water to soak into the tile creating the dark coloration.

Another possible cause is the ceramic tile was made with clay that was not as dense or hard as it should have been.

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What do I if Stain Solver doesn't appear to clean my grout?

Question: I bought two containers and it did not clean the grout.  You can see in the photo (not posted here) how it somewhat cleaned some parts but not others. I soaked it with new batches.... And scrubbed. It did not come clean.

Let it DRY for one day and look at the side-by-side results with what you have now. You should see a dramatic difference and the black spots should be gone.
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Is Stain Solver safe for linoleum flooring?

Stain Solver will make your linoleum or sheet vinyl floor look like NEW. As with any liquid, don't let it puddle on any seams or at the edges. (BACK TO TOP)

How much do I need?

Deck Cleaning: 2 lbs. of Stain Solver will clean 300 to 500 +/- square feet of deck surface. Dirty horizontal deck surfaces sometimes need a second quick cleaning. Don't forget railings! Each lineal foot of average railing has 4 square feet of surface area.

We find that the average deck - 15x15 - requires a minimum of 4 lbs. of Stain Solver. This does not include the railings. If you have railings on 3 sides, you would need another 2 lbs. of Stain Solver. Order 8 lbs. for the average deck.

It is best to order an extra container in case of spills or extra dirty conditions. The product has an indefinite shelf life, so it will not go bad if the lid is kept tightly sealed.

Laundry Use: 2 lbs. is enough to salvage and restore 20 or more T-shirts.

General Purpose Cleaning: Keep 4 lbs. on hand for carpet or fabric emergencies.

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How do you use Stain Solver with a carpet shampoo machine?
Can I use Stain Solver with carpet shampoo in a machine to clean my entire carpet?

It's best to make up a solution of Stain Solver and apply it with a hand-pump sprayer to the entire carpet before you turn on the shampoo machine. Allow the Stain Solver solution to soak into the carpet fibers for 20 - 30 minutes before starting the machine. The trick is to use HOT water, mix the stain solver into that and stir till dissolved. THEN add that to the machine's tank and add in whatever detergent you use. When carpet dries after the shampoo solution dries, vacuum up the white powder residue.

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Can Stain Solver help eliminate odors in my washing machine?

To get rid of the odor in you Top Loader or Front Loader washing machine, fill the machine as high as possible with hot water. Pour in 8-ounces (1 cup measured) of Stain Solver. Agitate the machine for 15 minutes. Stop the washer so it does NOT empty. Let the solution sit for about 6 hours. Then turn on the washer to complete with cycle.

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Will Stain Solver remove color?

Stain Solver is almost always color safe. It will not harm colored grout, regular dyes in clothes and carpets and will never discolor or bleach wood.

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What are the top three mistakes people make when using Stain Solver to clean a deck?

1. They don't mix the proper amount listed on the label. Use warm or hot water, and make sure the product dissolves completely.
2. They apply the solution too lightly on the surface. You must use a generous amount of solution, just like you see in the video at the top of the page where it is poured on the tile. The solution works best on dry surfaces, and when used in the shade or an overcast day with air temperatures above 50 F.
3. They don't allow the solution to soak on the surface for at least 15 minutes, making sure it doesn't evaporate. They don't scrub with a good scrub brush. Be sure to rinse off all the dirt and grime immediately after scrubbing, using plenty of  clean water.

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When can I apply Stain Solver to a wood deck?

Stain Solver should NOT be used on freshly sealed decks. Use Dawn dish soap for general cleaning. Stain Solver is to be used AFTER the deck sealer has failed.

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How do I apply Stain Solver to a wood deck?

I prefer to use a large brush or a mop. You want to get large amounts of Stain Solver liquid on the deck surface. Hand pump sprayers often apply too little solution to the surface. If you must use a sprayer, make sure the product has dissolved completely or you will clog the nozzle! Also, be sure you spray on lots of liquid. 

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Why do you say to work in the shade or on an overcast day?

Hot deck surfaces and sunlight can evaporate the Stain Solver solution before it has a chance to work.

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Do you have to scrub wood decks or will Stain Solver do all the work?

After the product sits for 15 - 20 minutes, I like to lightly scrub the wood with a scrub brush on a pole. You do not need to scrub hard. The brush removes the sun damaged wood fibers and completely loosens the dirt, mildew, and algae. Always scrub before rinsing with a garden hose.

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Should the Stain-Solver solution be applied to a wet or dry deck?

Always apply the solution to a DRY deck. This allows the solution to soak deeply into the wood fibers. A wet deck prevents this from happening making it very hard for the Stain Solver to deep clean the wood.

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Is Stain Solver safe to use on all wood, including pressure-treated decks?

NO! Stain Solver can darken redwood. Redwood that has not aged is the most vulnerable. Always test Stain Solver on a small remote part of the redwood to see what happens. The darkening happens rapidly and can make the redwood appear almost black. Use Oxalic Acid to clean and brighten redwood if you want to be completely safe.

Stain Solver is safe to use on all other woods, including cedar and pressure-treated decks. Stain Solver can be used on bare wood also, except as noted above.

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Will Stain Solver remove my applied stain?

Stain Solver is strong enough to remove your applied color stain from your deck. If the Stain Solver can get under your deck sealer, or if you don't have a deck sealer, it will remove the stain and leave you with bare wood.  Always test Stain Solver on a small remote part of the deck to see what happens.

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Can I apply Stain Solver using a pressure washer?

No. You will dilute the solution too much using the suction tank on a pressure washer. Apply the Stain Solver solution with a mop or hand-pump sprayer applying generous amounts of the solution.

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Will Stain Solver damage a neoprene, rubber surface?

The full question was - "I have a neoprene roof surface directly below the deck (the deck supports sit on the neoprene). Since rubber is a natural product, will Stain Solver damage the neoprene?  Also, I've flipped the boards over and I'm having to sand out the lines (stains) where the boards sat on the supports.  Will Stain Solver take those out as well?"

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Can you clean cedar shakes/siding and vinyl siding with Stain Solver?

Stain Solver easily cleans cedar shakes/siding and vinyl siding. It will remove sun-damaged stain and sealers, algae, dirt and grime. You apply the Stain Solver solution with a hand-pump sprayer. Work on an overcast day, so the solution doesn't dry too quickly. Work small areas at a time. Allow it to soak well for 10 minutes, lightly scrub and rinse well with clear water.

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Can you clean aluminum siding with Stain Solver?

Stain Solver will clean aluminum siding. However, the paint used on aluminum siding can oxidize and suffer UV degradation over time. Stain Solver can remove this damaged paint. Test in a small area of siding that gets direct sunlight to see what happens. You can repaint aluminum siding with urethane-acrylic paints to make it look brand new. 

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Will Stain Solver hurt my Trex or composite decking?

Absolutely not. It will make the Trex, or any other composite decking look like new. There are no harmful byproducts that will hurt the decking. The test is this: If you can safely wash something with water, you can use Stain Solver on that item. The only exceptions: silk, redwood and wool.

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Why did my wood fence and deck develop black spots after cleaning with Stain Solver?

The black spots were probably there on the wood before you started cleaning. They were covered by existing dirt. Usually the black spots are concentrations of mildew that requires a second cleaning with additional scrubbing.

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How do I apply Stain Solver to a vertical surface?

A customer asked "if you had any hints as to the best way to apply the Stain Solver solution mixture to the hand rails and pickets in an efficient manner, so I won't waste any more than necessary."

The best way I've found is to use a simple hand-pump sprayer. If you adjust the nozzle so it creates a medium spray, you can coat all the vertical pieces of wood quickly. The trick is to work in the shade and with no wind or as little wind as possible.

The solution will evaporate quickly from vertical surfaces, so having no sun and wind helps you. Keep the wood wet for 10-15 minutes before scrubbing. You'll have to spray the surfaces at least 3 times to keep them wet.

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Cleaning Painted Siding

Full question: "I have latex-painted hardboard siding that is darkened by mildew, particularly on the north side of the house. Are the directions as to how to use stainsolver on this siding any different from those for use on cedar siding?"

Stain Solver is such a GREAT cleaner it can and will remove oxidized and sun-damaged paint pigments. Since it's on the north side of your home, this may not be too much of an issue. (BACK TO TOP)

Will Stain Solver clean concrete?

Stain Solver will clean concrete. Apply the solution to dry concrete in the shade and allow it to sit on the concrete for hours. Add more solution as it starts to evaporate. Scrub the concrete with a scrub brush on a pole every 30 minutes. 

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How do I mix Stain Solver for cleaning a roof?

Mix it the same way you do for a deck - 6 ounces of Stain solver per gallon of water. 8 ounces per gallon for tough stains. 

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What is the best way to clean the roof?

Brush off all loose debris and scrape off any large deposits of moss or algae. Apply the solution with a pump sprayer to cool shingles! If the shingles are in sunlight, the solution will evaporate before it can work. Keep the roof surface wet with the solution for at least 30 - 45 minutes. Scrub lightly with a broom or brush and rinse well with water. Try a test section first using just one quart of solution. If it is still stained, boost the concentration to 8 ounces per gallon of water. 

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Removing Algae Stains from Roof Shingles.

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Will Stain Solver work on marble?

Yes, Stain Solver can be used safely on marble.

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Is Stain Solver safe for cleaning unsealed natural stone floors?

It's totally safe to use it on travertine, marble, granite, slate or ANY other natural stone. Sealed or unsealed.

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Will Stain Solver remove rust?

Stain Solver can remove rust in certain situations, but generally the answer is no. Remove rust from concrete with oxalic acid and water.

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Do I need to use a wood brightener?

No. Stain Solver brightens the wood as well as using a brightener.

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Material Safety Data Sheet

Click on the link to download a copy of the Stain Solver Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) in PDF format. 

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