New carpeting looks amazing, but dealing with the first stain (and all that follow) can be frustrating. See below to find our expert tips on the best methods to remove common stains from carpet and keep your flooring looking its best.
First, when the stain happens, gently blot the stain inward with a clean rag, absorbing any liquid. Scrubbing the carpet can make things worse, either through damaging the fibers in the carpet or allowing the stain to soak through into the carpet pad. When trying to get stains out of carpet, it is important to be as gentle as possible to preserve the carpet.
Before using any stain remover or mixture on carpet, we recommend testing a small hidden area to ensure it will not affect your carpet’s look or color. Always refer to manufacturer instructions if you have them as well.
Red Wine –
Blot as much liquid up as possible with a clean rag. Pour a bit of cold water directly onto the wine stain. This should help dilute what remains of the stain. Continue blotting until you’ve removed as much of the stain as possible.
Now make a baking soda paste by mixing a 3:1 ratio of water to baking soda and apply it to the area. Once the paste is dry, vacuum the stain.
Coffee –
Use paper towel to gently blot the stain. If you scrub the coffee stain, this may cause the oils to be absorbed faster. If you don’t have paper towels handy, you can also use a dish towel. The key is to gently try and absorb as much of the color-carrying liquid as possible, before the coffee stain sets in.
Flush the area of the carpet with no more than 1 cup of cool water. With another clean dish towel or paper towel, continue blotting the area, after applying cold water to the stain.
Next, mix two cups of lukewarm water with ¼ cup of lemon juice. Add a bit of liquid dishwashing detergent to the mix as well. You can also use one-third cup white distilled vinegar to two-thirds cup water. Apply the solution to a clean sponge. Don’t soak the sponge, but get it damp enough to have an effect when applied to the stain. Begin at the outside of the coffee stain and gently rub in a circular motion, working your way to the inside of the stain.
Rinse the area with clean, cold water. Using a clean, dry towel, remove any excess moisture by stepping directly onto the towel and firmly pressing. If the coffee stain still remains, repeat the process listed above.
Wax –
Fill a plastic bag with ice and lay the plastic bag directly onto the area of your carpet with the wax stain. Let the wax freeze for a few minutes.
Remove the plastic bag and begin to scrape the wax off the carpet using a dull knife.
Next, lay either a brown paper bag or a clean cloth directly over the affected area of your carpet. Using a warm iron, gently press the iron on top of the paper bag or cloth avoiding any direct contact of the iron with the carpet (it can melt the carpet fibers). You can repeat this step with a fresh paper bag or cloth until the wax residue disappears.
Using an at-home carpet cleaning solution, clean the area to remove any remaining wax residue.
Pet Accidents –
Soak up as much of the liquid as possible with a combination of newspaper and paper towels. Stand on this padding for about a minute. Remove the padding, and repeat the process until the area is barely damp. Rinse thoroughly with clean, cool water. After rinsing, remove as much of the water as possible by blotting or by using a wet vac.
If a stain has already set, consider renting an extractor or wet vac to remove all traces of heavy stains in carpeting (get one from a local hardware store). This machine works much like a vacuum cleaner and is efficient and economical. Extracting/wet vac machines do the best job of forcing clean water through your carpet and then forcing the dirty water back out. When you use these machines or cleaners, carefully follow the instructions. Don’t use any chemicals with these machines; they work best with plain water.
Avoid using cleaning chemicals, especially those with strong odors such as ammonia or vinegar. These don’t effectively remove odors and may cause your pet to “re-mark.” Use a high-quality pet odor neutralizer once the area is really clean (available at pet supply stores). Be sure to read and follow the directions, including testing the cleaner on a small, hidden portion of fabric first to be sure it doesn’t stain.
Greasy Stains –
Blot up as much of the grease stain as possible, then apply a substance like cornmeal, since it acts as an absorbent.
Use a brush with stiff bristles and brush the stain gently to break it up. If the grease is still visible, apply a dry-cleaning solvent (such as Afta Cleaning Fluid) using a clean sponge.
Apply a dry spotter to the stained area. A dry spotter is made by combining 8 parts liquid dry-cleaning solvent and 1-part coconut oil. Mineral oil, though not as effective, can also be substituted for coconut oil. Using an absorbent pad, cover the stain with more dry spotter.
Tough Stains –
For stains such as chocolate or blood, you may need a true stain remover and carpet cleaner to get the spot out. Some over the carpet spot cleaners and home carpet cleaners, such as Bissell brands, can do a great job of maintenance, quick cleanups and stain removal.
Hire a Professional –
If you have larger soiled areas, stubborn stains that won’t come out, or just need an overall carpet cleaning, a professional cleaner is likely your best bet. They’ll make quick work of what could take you hours on your own.
We hope these tips help you keep your home sparkling in between maid service visits! To request a cleaning estimate, contact us today.