When you’re attending to a minor medical emergency at home, such as applying first aid to a wound or treating an insect bite, there’s always a chance of spilling some of the medications you used on the floor. No need to add to the panic. Make sure the person is safe and properly taken cared of first. If your cleaning arsenal is as well-stocked as your medicine cabinet then you should be able to find solutions for stains caused by spilled medical formulas and first aid products.
Detergent solution is one thing you can mix in advanced so that it’s ready to use in case of emergencies. Fill a spray bottle with 1 teaspoon mild dishwashing cleaner and 1 cup water. Shake to mix well. You can also prepare an ammonia solution for carpet cleaning in advance. Just mix 1 tablespoon ammonia with 1 cup of water. Meanwhile, mixing equal parts vinegar and water together can also be handy when treating carpet stains.
Calamine lotion dries up fast. Go ahead and let it solidify first. Then remove the clumps by scraping with a blunt instrument and then vacuuming. Sometimes a dry cleaning solvent will be enough to remove the stain. But if some of the color still persists, use the dishwashing soap and water solution mentioned earlier. Apply the solution by blotting it on with a clean, white cloth. Do not scrub or rub the area. Repeat the process a few more times. Get another clean, white cloth, moistened with tap water, and dab it on the area to remove any detergent residue. Dry off the area.
Cough syrup is also very “spill-friendly”, especially with little children or adults coughing non-stop. To treat, first absorb all the liquid by blotting with a clean cloth. Blot with the previously mentioned detergent solution, then rinse. Follow up with the vinegar solution. Rinse off by dabbing with a sponge moistened with clean water. Dry the area well.
For blood spills use the detergent solution followed by the ammonia solution and then the detergent solution again. This will usually remove the stain. Just make sure to apply with a clean cloth and dab or blot rather than scrub and rub. Rinse the area off by spraying cold water over it and then blotting with a dry cloth.
Acne medications and iodine are difficult to remove, especially if left for some time. In fact, experts advise it is best to call a professional cleaner to help with these types of stains, especially if the affected area is large and easily seen.
