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Best Tips to Remove Carpet Stains

BEST TIPS TO REMOVE CARPET STAINS
 September 20, 2021 |  Home Maintenance, DIY, Cleaning Tips |  living room, bedroom, office, floors, kids, pets

The right carpet can really tie a room together by adding both comfort and style. It can also add some extra cleaning work. Pets, kids, and normal wear and tear dirty up your carpet and turn it from “chic” to “ick.” Luckily, there are some easy remedies to salvage your stylish carpet and prolong its lifespan.

Stains in All Shapes and Sizes
Anything from mud to Merlot can cause you to stress about having a giant spot on your carpet forever. A few of the most common stains are: 

  • Dirt 
  • Coffee or wine 
  • Gum
  • Ink 
  • Juice 
  • Chocolate 
  • Sauces and soups

General Rules to Remember
When it comes to what you spill, each substance has special instructions. How you clean up muddy pet prints will differ from ground-in gum. That said, there are a few generic tips you can apply to any stain. First, you’ll want to start from the outside and work your way in. Removing the excess will make the spot easier to work with. Next, you’ll want to incorporate some sort of cleaner whether it be club soda, a vinegar solution, or store-bought chemicals. Lastly, remember to blot, not wipe. You’ll keep from driving the spill deeper and leaving an unsightly stain.

Cleaning Drinks and Other Liquids
As soon as your cup or bowl spills, the race is on to save your carpet. Certain stains can set in quickly and deteriorate the fibers. Along with discoloration, this can cause your carpet to crust and harden. 

  • Wine spills put a damper on your dinner party, and the wrong cleaning technique can make the embarrassment stick around on your carpet. Don’t douse the wine in a cleaner. Instead, lightly spritz it with club soda and gently blot. 
  • Coffee and tea give you an extra boost to start your morning. They also make a mess of your beautiful carpet. Luckily, hydrogen peroxide and dish soap make quick work of things! Let the solution sit, and really work it into the fabric with your hands. 
  • Heavy stains from things like gravy, melted butter, or other fatty foods take some more effort to clean up. Use baking soda to make the spill easy to vacuum up, and blot away what’s left.

Cleaning Mud and Miscellaneous Solids
You might think that something more solidified would be easier to clean, but that’s not always the case. Bits of food and dirt tend to stick to longer carpet fibers and are harder to pull out. 

  • Gum can make a stringy, sticky mess that takes forever to fix. A home remedy of using ice to harden the gum thankfully means your carpet isn’t doomed. Wait until the gum is firm enough to easily scrape off and vacuum up. 
  • Mud is another top carpet adversary, especially if you have young kids or pets. Allow time for it to completely dry before trying to remove it. Scrape off as much as you can, and use a cleaner to soak the rest. Continually blot the stain until it’s gone.

Keep Your Floor Looking Great
The most important thing to remember when cleaning a messy carpet is that it’s not the end. Acting quickly is the key to keeping the damage as minimal as possible. Having something like a power solvent on hand is great for a variety of messes. You’ll be able to keep your carpet looking its best for years to come!

Call National Property Inspections today.
Your local NPI inspector has the professional training and experience to help assess the condition of your home’s structure and major systems. Find your inspector today to schedule your inspection.

 



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