We want our carpets to be free of stains, but that’s just not possible. Stains are inevitable-no matter how careful you are. The golden rule when it comes to carpet stains is, the longer you wait to get to a stain, the harder it will be to remove.
Tough Carpet Stain Removal
1. Kool-Aid. There’s nothing like a cold glass of Kool-Aid on a hot summer day-kids love the stuff! The problem with Kool-Aid is that artificially colored sugar water is a nightmare to get out of your carpet. The first step is to blot the stain as quickly as possible. Do not scrub. Scrubbing will force the stain further into the carpet fibers and may drive the stain into the padding underneath. Grab a plastic spray bottle and mix together ¼ cup white vinegar, 1 tbsp. liquid dish soap and fill the rest with water. Spray the area and let it soak for 5-10 minutes and then blot with a clean, dry towel until the stain disappears. If you still see the stain, repeat until it’s gone. You can also try using a stain remover that uses oxygen bubbles.
2. Coffee. Waiting too long to remove a coffee stain will leave a dirty, yellowish brown spot behind. The first step is to blot as much of coffee as you can and then try the Kool-Aid mixture. Make sure you rinse and repeat, if needed. There are products that are formulated for coffee stains that may be helpful. Just make sure you test it in a hidden area to see if it will damage the carpet.
3. Blood. Removing blood from carpet isn’t as hard as it seems, but you still need to act fast. Use cold water because hot water will cause the blood to coagulate. Mix two teaspoons of liquid, grease-fighting dish detergent with a full bottle of cold water. Spray the spot until the stain is submerged in the cleaning solution. Use a dry cloth to blot until all the blood has transferred to it. Rinse with cold water and repeat, if needed.
4. Ink. Ink can spread if it’s not cleaned properly. Just like the blood, act fast to get it clean. Use isopropyl alcohol and a clean cloth to dab the stain, the higher the alcohol percentage the better. Remember not to rub. Repeat, if needed, rinse, and blot again.
5. Pet Stains. We love our pets, but even the best trained pet will have accidents. Pick up any solid waste with gloves and use the blot method with a wet stain. Continue until it’s dry. If a stain is missed and has time to sit it will become dry. Moisten the spot with a cleaning solution formulated for pet stains to neutralize the odor. Do not use ammonia because it’s in dog urine and will encourage a repeat offense. Use a solution of half warm water and half white vinegar instead. Spray the area liberally, wait several minutes and start blotting until the stain is gone.
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These home remedies will be more effective when a stain is treated right away. If you need help with stains, contact Steam Green Carpet Cleaning!