Roaches can be disgusting, and getting rid of them is no small task. What is more annoying is that they tend to leave their feces all over the house.
If you just rid your home of roaches, keep an eye out for any stains they may have left behind. Thankfully, removing the stains is not as tough as removing the roaches.
With the right cleaning tools, every part of your home looks spotless.
This guide will walk you through all there is to know about removing roach stains from different surfaces.
Removing roach stains is not as difficult as you may think. First off, ensure you have the right tools. Among other things, you need a sponge/cloth, disinfectant, soap, and stain removal.
With the right tools ready, you can remove the stain easily.
Depending on where you have the roach stains, a typical roach stain will follow the following progressions:
- Wearing protective wear like gloves, masks, and goggles.
- Removal of solid roach droppings with a brush or broom.
- Application of disinfectant and other cleaning agents.
- Scrubbing/wiping/cleaning of the roach stains.
These are the steps involved in cleaning roach stains in a nutshell. Keep reading the guide to learn what to do in each step.
In the following sections, we will identify the tools you need to remove roach stains and how to use them to rid stains from different surfaces.
Also, we will answer some frequently asked questions about removing roach stains. Here we go!
Items Required To Remove Roach Stains
Getting roach stains off your floors, clothes, books, or any other surface is easy. But before you jump into the do-it-yourself spirit, let’s identify the needed materials.
Below is a list of items you require to remove roach stains from start to finish:
- Sponge or brush
- Disposable cloth
- Protective gear like gloves, nose mask, etc.
- Disinfectant
- Washing or cleaning soap
- Cotton swab
- Stain remover
Above are the items you need. Before starting the cleaning process, ensure you wear your protective gear first. This will ensure that you do not make contact with the stains directly.
Put on your face mask and gloves. You can also consider using goggles to prevent liquid from splashing into your eyes.
Removing Roach Stains From Floors and Walls
First, you must remove any solid droppings still lying around. Then, you can use a vacuum cleaner or a strong broom to sweep away all the droppings.
Dispose of them properly in a trash bag and seal them up. If you use a vacuum cleaner, remove the bag from it and throw it away. It is advisable to throw the bag outside your home rather than inside, where they can still attract more roaches.
Next up, spray some disinfectant on the affected areas and leave it to sit for about 10 – 15 minutes. This will kill all the germs in the area. Finally, wipe off the disinfectant with a disposable cloth.
Now, scrub the area thoroughly with soapy water and a sponge. If a sponge is unavailable, a brush can suffice too.
Scrub until the marks disappear. To be extra sure, you can disinfect and clean the stained area again.
Finally, wipe the area with a disposable cloth.
That’s all you need to remove roach stains from walls and floors. Your floors and walls should be spick and span at this point.
Removing Roach Stains From Fabrics
To remove roach stains from fabric, you must first remove any solid droppings on the material. Then, ensure you dispose of them properly.
Next, add a few drops of stain remover to the affected area and allow it to sit. The older the stain, the longer you should let the product sit.
Afterward, add a few drops of disinfectant to your washing water and rub the fabric gently till the stain goes off. Now you can wash the fabric as you usually would.
Removing Roach Stains From Books
Removing roach stains from books can be tricky as you do not want to damage your books. To safely remove roach stains from books, here is what you should do:
- If the droppings are on the edges of the paper, hold the pages together and gently remove all droppings.
- Dip a cotton swab in soapy water and disinfectant mix.
- Squeeze the swab till it is no longer dripping, and gently dab on the spots. With this, the stains should go off in no time.
- Allow the book to dry before reading.
You can repeat the same for the back cover, whether it is a leatherback or a paperback. Just ensure the material you use in dabbing is not dripping wet. Wipe the surface dry with a cloth afterward.
Removing Roach Stains From Wood
To remove roach stains from wood, you should first take the object outside your home. If it is too heavy to move, you can clean it inside. You will then have to clean up the floor afterward to remove droppings.
First and foremost, you should get rid of solid droppings. Scare them off the surface and dispose of them properly.
Next, wipe down the stains with a disposable cloth dipped in soapy water and disinfectant mix. Wipe thoroughly until the stains come around entirely off.
Go in with a dry cloth and wipe off the wood surface to ensure it is dry. If you took the wood outside to clean it, ensure it is dry before you bring it back in.
Why You Should Act Fast To Remove Roach Stains
Before we draw the curtains in this post, we want to identify why you should act fast in removing roach stains. You see, roach stains are not just unpleasant to look at, but they also pose health risks.
They can trigger specific allergies without touching them and cause another roach infestation.
If you have roach stains in your house, below are three reasons you shouldn’t delay removing them:
1. They Can Trigger Asthma
Roach droppings often leave behind a musky smell that lingers with the stains. For asthmatic persons, the stench can trigger an attack. It can also trigger other allergic reactions.
You sure don’t want roach stains messing with your health.
2. They Are Unhygienic
Roaches are not particularly sanitary as they leave germs wherever they have been—having germs around leaves you prone to many other illnesses.
3. They Can Cause Another Roach Infestation
Roach droppings do not only leave stains behind, but they can also release pheromones that can attract other roaches.
Remember how difficult it was for you to handle the previous roach infestation you had? Now, imagine having to go through that again. Trust me – you don’t want to go through that stress again.
Conclusion
Roaches tend to leave a lot of stains behind to ensure you never forget them. That was on a lighter note. But seriously speaking, these small-bodies insects are the last creature you want sharing your home with you.
For one, their stains leave can walls, floors, and household items like wood and books with an awful look. They can even cause your home to give off an unpleasant scent.
You don’t have to suffer this horrible stench. Instead, follow the steps above to eliminate roach stains. But before starting, remember to wear protective clothing like gloves, masks, and goggles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Do Roach Stains Look Like?
They are watermarks that are often brown or black. They usually have solid droppings around them that look like grains of coarse black pepper.
Does Bleach Keep Roaches Away?
Bleach can repel roaches. However, it does not kill them. So, if you want a humane method to deter roaches without killing them, you may want to add this to your list of deterrent strategies.
Why Are There Suddenly So Many Roaches in My Home?
There are several possibilities. But one with the highest likelihood is that your home has high moisture content. Roaches thrive in damp environments.
As such, we recommend you check out any leaky pipes in your home and fix them to keep the invading roaches away.