You’re in attack mode, weapon at the ready. You’ve been listening to an incessant buzzing for hours, and finally, you swat and squish that irritating fly onto your wall. Celebrations all around! You can finally be at peace!
Until you realize, the fly has left behind its remains and has stained your surface. I mean, can this fly be any more annoying? It can’t even die without being inconvenient.
Flies leave behind stubborn brown/yellow spots and smears that can be both eye-catching and stubborn to remove. Walls, windows, blinds, sofas, we’ve got a solution for any surface that has been tainted by some fly remains.
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Is Fly Poop Dangerous?
If a fly has landed on some food, it will be eating and pooping at the same time. Gross, I know. The longer it is there, the more waste it will distribute on your food and the more contaminated your food will be.
If the fly is quickly swatted away, it’s likely your food will be safe to consume. However, there is still a chance it has passed on some harmful bacteria and viruses.
If you want to be safe, you may need to throw away that inviting piece of chocolate cake. Sorry.
Fly poop on surfaces and walls is less dangerous as the bacteria isn’t directly going to be consumed.
But if you have young kids who are constantly touching and tasting things, it’s a good idea to clean the fly stains as they appear. Additionally, if the fly stains are in a food preparation area, it’s also best to clean them ASAP.
Additionally, the fly remains may not harm you, but they may harm your walls. The mess left behind by flies is highly acidic and burns through surfaces especially painted ones.
This will make the mark more difficult to remove and will need to be tackled before you even think about painting over it.
How to Remove Fly Poop Stains From Painted Walls
For those who have spent time researching cleaning methods before, you will not be surprised to hear that vinegar is the magical solution for fly stains. This is the most simple method that will remove stains and kill off any bacteria the nasty bug has left behind.
What you will need:
- White vinegar.
- Water.
- A bowl or a spray bottle.
- Paper towels or a white cloth.
Follow these simple steps to remove fly spots from painted walls:
- Mix equal measures of white vinegar and water, either into a bowl or a spray bottle.
- Saturate a cloth with the mixture and test out the solution on a hidden part of your wall, to check that it doesn’t erode the paint or damage the surface. If this looks okay, repeat on the stains.
- You can spray the solution directly onto the stain if it’s in a bottle.
- Wipe the stains and continue adding more of the solution until the marks are removed.
If you tested out the solution on a hidden part of the wall, and the surface was damaged, use a mixture of soap and water instead to remove the fly stains.
Either of these methods should leave your wall looking brand new, and remove any remnants of the fly murder spree you went on.
How to Remove Fly Stains from Fabric Blinds
Fabric is a lot more porous than your standard painted wall, and as such, tends to soak up any stain or spill pretty quickly. If you’ve noticed fly spots on your blinds, get to work as soon as you can to remove the stains before they fully set in.
Ideally, you should take the blinds down before attempting to clean them, it will be a lot easier and won’t risk you accidentally pulling them down whilst putting some elbow grease into cleaning them.
What you will need:
- Warm water.
- Dish soap.
- A sponge.
- A white cloth.
Steps to Remove Fly Stains from Fabric Blinds:
- Dust or vacuum the blinds to remove any surface dust before applying any liquid.
- Mix some dish soap into a bowl of warm water, and apply a small amount to a less visible part of the blind. This will test to see if the solution taints the color or damages the fibers.
- If everything looks good, soak a sponge in the solution and blot the fly-stained areas. Do not rub the stain, as it may spread further.
- Blot the stain with a white cloth to check how much of the stain is left.
- Repeat steps 3 and 4 until the stain is no longer visible.
- Once the fly stains are gone, clean the entire blind with a damp sponge and a little dish soap. You may not realize how dirty your blinds are until you clean small sections of them and can see the comparison. This step will ensure the blinds look nice and uniformly clean.
- Leave the blind to dry, and then rehang.
How to Remove Fly Stains from Metal and Plastic Blinds
If you’re faced with unsightly dark marks on your plastic or metal blinds, you’re in luck. These stains are usually easy to remove and take very little time. Hurray!
What you’ll need:
- Warm water.
- Bleach.
- Rubber gloves.
- A sponge.
- A cloth.
Steps to Remove Fly Stains from Metal or Plastic Blinds:
- Take down your blinds and give them a quick dusting or vacuum, removing any surface dust.
- Add a few drops of bleach into a bowl of warm water. Normal household bleach is best for this.
- Put on the rubber gloves and soak a sponge with the solution. Wipe it across the entire blind. Bleach is powerful stuff, so it’s best to treat the whole blind and not just sections to avoid uneven coloration.
- Wipe the blinds down with a clean, damp cloth and allow them to dry.
- Re-hang and enjoy!
How to Remove Fly Poop Stains from Fabric
There are a few factors that come into play when cleaning stains from fabric. The type of fabric, how long the stain has been there, and if the fabric is washable. But there’s a method for each one, don’t worry!
How to Remove Fresh Fly Stains from Washable Fabrics:
- Soak the fabric in a bowl or sink filled with cold water for at least 30 minutes.
- Agitate the stain by rubbing the fabric against itself.
- Apply a little enzyme-based cleaner to the stain, and let sit for a few minutes. Follow the instructions provided by your specific cleaner.
- Put the fabric in the washing machine as normal, or give it another rinse in a bowl of water.
How to Remove Old Fly Stains from Washable Fabrics:
- Grab a toothbrush or a soft bristle brush and scrape off the surface layer of insect remains.
- In a large basin of cold water, mix a few drops of enzyme-containing detergent, and 1 tablespoon of ammonia.
- Put the piece of fabric into the basin and let it soak. If the garment cannot be put into the basin, apply the solution to the fabric using a sponge.
- Wash the item in the washing machine if possible, or rinse with clean water.
- If the stain persists, repeat steps 2-4.
How to Remove a Fresh Fly Stain from a Non-Washable Fabric:
- Apply some cold water to the stain using a spray bottle or a cloth.
- Blot the area with a dry cloth.
- Repeat steps 1 and 2.
- Finally, dry the fabric with a towel.
How to Remove Old Fly Stains from a Non-Washable Fabric:
- Brush off the excess using a dry brush.
- Add a few drops of dish soap to a bowl of cold water.
- Grab an old toothbrush, dip it into the solution, and brush the stained area.
- Blot the area with a damp cloth.
- Repeat steps 3 and 4 until the stain disappears.
- Dry with a towel.
To Summarize:
Flies are annoying whether they’re buzzing around your head, or if they’re smeared into your nice white sofa. Luckily, if you have some white vinegar or dish soap in your house, you can remove fly stains from almost any material.
If possible, clean the stains as soon as you notice them to prevent any long-term damage, plus it’s a lot more hygienic. So get to work on those fly stains, they’re nothing you can’t handle!
Last update on 2023-06-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
