The Most Common Carpet Stains (And How to Treat Them)
The Most Common Carpet Stains (And How to Treat Them)
Carpet stains are spills that have dried and set. They owe not to be confused with spills. Carpet stains are unsightly and can be a major pain to remove. Moreover, the longer they sit untreated, the tougher they can be to lift.
Tough, but not impossible. If you’ve left that red wine spill on your carpet untreated since last New Year’s Eve, there’s still hope. Read on to find out how to get rid of the most stubborn, set in stains. The most common carpet stains and how to treat them are tips we can do with today.
Wine & Fruit Juices
This is one of the most common and most stubborn sorts of stains. To remove it, mix white vinegar (one tablespoon), with dishwashing liquid (one tablespoon) with warm water (two cups). Apply a little to the stained area, and allow it to sit for a couple of minutes. Next, blot the stain with a clean, white, damp cloth or sponge that’s been soaked (and wrung out) in the cleaning solution.
Grease
Grab a spray bottle of white vinegar and soak the stain for a few minutes. Once the time has elapsed, blot the stain with a clean, white cloth that’s been soaked in hot water. Blot until the grease is gone. This solution can also be used on your upholstery.
Grass
You’re dealing with a grass stain that’s set in, so break out the big guns and grab your dish soap. Apply it directly onto the stained area, and blot using a clean, white towel. White for two reasons; so you can see how much is coming off, and you don’t transfer colour onto your carpet. If dish soap isn’t cutting it, try white vinegar or rubbing alcohol. Avoid using any product that has degreaser or ammonia since this can move the stain around rather than remove it.
Blood
Your stain is set, so the first thing you want to do is loosen it up. Grab a steel brush and brush it over the stain. Next, mix dish soap (one teaspoon) with cold water (two cups). Dip a clean, white cloth into the mixture and blot onto the stain. Keep reapplying the cleaning solution and the blotting until the blood is gone.
Urine
Pee happens, especially when you have children and/or pets. To lift urine stains (and the germs that go with them), mix dish soap (one tablespoon), cold water (two cups) and white vinegar (one tablespoon). Using a clean, white cloth, dip it into the cleaning solution and gently blot the stained area. Starting from the inside of the stain and moving toward the edge. Next, grab a clean, dry cloth and then dab the affected area until it’s dry — or mostly dry.
Still, see a stain? Time to apply a few drops of hydrogen peroxide, then dab at the area with a clean, dry cloth until dry.
When DIY Doesn’t Work
Sometimes, stains just won’t budge, or you don’t want to risk tackling them on your own. Possibly because you left the stain for too long. Or the type of carpet you have is delicate. Maybe you want to make sure it is done quickly and effectively the first time. When this is the case, call in the professionals for spot-on carpet cleaning and stain removal solutions. The experts will know exactly how to treat the most stubborn stains and will have the tools and technique to do it safely and effectively.
