The Best Carpet Stain Removal Tips
Useful Advice for Wine, Tea, Coffee and Stubborn Stains
So why is having the knowledge of carpet stain removal important? We’ve all faced the following situations before – when someone accidentally spills a glass of wine, or walks in with muddy shoes, then you are left with a stain that needs cleaning.
No matter how many times we clean the carpet or how much care we take of it, something always comes up. There is no foolproof measure we can take to ensure that our carpets always stay clean and spotless because some accident or a mishap is bound to happen as a result of which our carpets will suffer.
Even without accidents, some dirt stains may develop in some areas of the carpet with time and they require immediate attention. So if you are not a fan of hiring professionals every time even a stain occurs, it is a great idea to have prior knowledge of do-it-yourself cleaning options that enable you to take swift action.
Why is DIY stain removal popular?
While professional carpet stain removal options are available in the market, DIY stain removal techniques can be implemented even faster. By the time you find a good carpet cleaner you could of removed the stain yourself. Another great reason to tackle the carpet stains yourself is it is eco-friendly. Most carpet cleaning companies will use strong chemicals for spot removal. Although these are proven to work very well, they can be detrimental to the environment. While the best carpet stain removal may take longer time than a professional, it is more cost-effective, especially if you have pets and children. With a little bit of elbow grease and some handy tips, you’ll be amazed what you can do yourself.
Tips For Carpet Stain Removal
Coffee and Tea
Spillage of coffee or tea can leave behind yellow or brown discolored spots on your carpet. This is because they contain a substance called tannin. It is essential to clean up the extra tea or coffee and dampen the stain before proceeding with the cleaning.
Removal: You can use white vinegar for removing stains caused by drinks, sauce, tea, and coffee.
First, soak a paper towel in detergent and dab it onto the area for a few minutes and this soaks up the excess moisture. Then, soak another cloth in vinegar to dab on the stain and keep it pressed for some time. Wash the spot with a cloth soaked in lukewarm water and repeat this process till the stain vanishes.
Difficulty = Easy
Pet stains
This is one of the most common causes of carpet stains, and is familiar to anyone who owns a pet. Even the most well-trained pets can get caught ut and need to “take a leak” from time to time.
Removal: First of all, clean up the initial mess. If it is a wet stain, blot the extra wetness away, if it is dry, moisten the area.
Now create a mixture with equal parts of white vinegar and warm water. Then apply this to the soiled area and allow it to dry. Add some baking soda and a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and dishwashing liquid to it and rub over the stain. Follow this process up by drying the area with a vacuum cleaner.
Difficulty = Easy / Moderate
Ink, blood, wine, and juice spills
If you have children then accidents are inevitable. Whether it’s ink leaking from a pen or blood from a scuffed knee, we are bound to get these stains from time to time. You carpet needs immediate treatment with these kind of stains. The quicker you can dilute the better.
Removal: Use normal soda water and table salt and baking soda. Clean up the excess mess with a damp cloth. Then pour on half a cup of soda water. Follow this by adding 5 tablespoons of baking soda mixed with the same amount of table salt. Combine the mixture, ensure it is rubbed into the stain and let it rest for 5 – 10 minutes. Use a vacuum cleaner to remove the excess. Repeat the process prior to vacuuming if you still see residue.
Difficulty = Easy / Moderate
Greasy and oil
Spilt grease and oil is common and sometimes be difficult to remove. These can include cooking oils, crayons, glue, lipstick, butter, adhesives, wax tar and other similar materials.
Removal: If you’ve spilt oil or greas, you should firstly blot the area with a paper towel.
Then use a washcloth to apply alcohol directly on the stain by blotting and not by wiping. Now, take a mixture of water and dishwashing liquid (one that does not contain lanolin or bleach) and apply it directly on the stain with a sponge. You can continue this until the spots disappear.
Difficulty = Easy / Moderate
Wax and similar sticky stains
If you keep a candle burning without supervision, sometime the wax will drip onto the floor. These stains can seem tricky and stubborn. However, if you follow the right methods, you can remove them easily.
Removal: This one is all about freezing the wax. For this, you need a Ziploc bag filled with ice cubes. Rub it over the stain until it hardens and then shatter the wax with a hard object. Vacuum up these broken pieces, apply a solvent and then some lukewarm water to the area till the stain is removed.
Difficulty = Easy / Moderate
With these simple tips, maintaining your carpet should be a little easier. If you have questions about The Best Carpet Stain Removal Tips please leave them in the comments below.
This content was published by Mark Sanderson from Pro Carpet Cleaning Brisbane. If you liked this article please follow us on Google+.
