Carpets can give you a lot of pleasure, from the visual appeal of a beautiful design to the luxurious feel of a soft pile. That’s why it’s especially important to take excellent care of your carpets. Occasionally, you’ll get stains and other spots on your floors and want to know how to clean them out most effectively. This article will give you helpful hints on how to do that.
Stains come in a variety of forms. It’s essential that you know what caused your stain. For example, was it a water-based substance or oil-based? Once you know that, and with help from this article, you’ll have a better idea about how to proceed to clean your carpet.
Water-Based Stains
For these stains, begin cleaning with Step 1 below, then if the stain’s still there, go to Steps 2 and 3. These include substances like:
- Alcohol including beer, wine and liquor
- Latex Paint
- Cola and soft drinks
- Clay
- Ketchup
- Chocolate
- Milk and Chocolate Milk
- Cologne
- Blood
- Jelly
- Ice cream
- Gravy
- Graphite
- Fruit juice and fruit punch
- Soil spots
- Syrup
- Vomit
- Watercolors
Special Water-Based Stains
- Coffee
- Tea
- Urine
Greasy Oil-Based Stains
For oil-based stains, begin with a dry cleaning fluid and follow the instructions closely. If the stain remains afterward, proceed with Steps 1, 2 and 3 below. Oil-based stains can include substances like:
- Butter and margarine
- Mayonnaise
- Felt tip marker and crayon
- Nail polish
- Gum
- Glue
- Ointment
- Furniture polish
- Hand cream and Calamine lotion
- Cooking oil
- Cosmetics, mascara and lipstick
- Varnish and furniture dye
- Black grease
- Ink
- Wax
- Tar
- Salad dressing
- Oil
Cleaning Steps
Follow these simple steps to clean stains from your carpet.
Step 1
- Remove all solid material from the stain that you can, like large food pieces or crayon pieces. Start at the outside of the stain and work inward to avoid spreading.
- If you can, use an absorbent white cloth to lift any excess liquid.
- Mix 16 ounces of lukewarm water with ¼ teaspoon non-bleach dishwashing liquid.
- Pat the detergent mix to the stain, being sure not to scrub the carpet (use only the cloth and not a brush). Be careful not to use too much solution, just dampen the stained area. Reposition the cloth often.
- Use lukewarm water to rinse the stain.
- Cover the stain with a new absorbent white cloth, blotting it again.
- Repeat this process until all the stain substance and the detergent solution are gone.
- When you’ve removed the stain, lay more white cloths over the area and place a heavy, colorfast object over them. Continually replace the cloths until they’re completely dry when you remove them.
- If the stain’s still there, move to Step 2.
Step 2
- Combine 1 cup lukewarm water with 1 tablespoon non-sudsing, non-bleaching household ammonia.
- Apply the ammonia solution and then rinse and blot as you did in Step 1 (don’t use paper towels).
- Proceed to Step 3.
Step 3
- Combine equal parts water and white vinegar.
- Apply this vinegar solution, then rinse and blot as you did in Step 1.
More Tips
Here are additional helpful hints on how to care for your carpets and avoid potential stains.
- Vacuum regularly.
- Use entrance mats to catch dirt and debris.
- Clean occasionally.
- Blot up stains immediately.
- Don’t use do-it-yourself carpet and rug cleaners.
Call S&G Carpet Cleaning today for professional carpet cleaning from technicians who truly care about the cleanliness of your home.
