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How to Remove Carpet Stains

How to Remove Carpet Stains

Carpet stains are frustrating. You are so careful no to spill a glass of red wine on the carpet, or try and prevent kids from tracking in with muddy shoes. All to protect you beautiful hardwoods, carpets, and and area rugs. Likewise, trying to prevent the family pet not to have accidents on the carpet. We stay busy all day and for that split second we are not paying attention and boom, it happens, Sparky just can’t hold it any longer. There goes the nice clean rug you just bought for the family room.

When these accidents happen, what do you do? We usually run for the closest paper towel rack or hand towels then, we commence to spray some random spot remover and try to scrub out the spot. But Wait! Believe it or not this can do more harm than good.  It’s always best to take a moment before you treat the stain. There are so many ways that you can remove carpet stains. Furthermore, the way you should do it depends more on what kind of  stain you are removing.

How to Remove Carpet Stains the Right Way

In this blog, we are going to educate you. Moreover, you will be armed with the easiest and safest methods to remove unsightly spots that will not do any further damage to your carpets. These are tried and true techniques and methods to remove to most common of carpet stains. Also, as you read will will cover a host of common carpet stains and a step by step process on how to remove them. Therefore, take a deep breath. Help is on the way!

Removing Kool-Aid Stains

This is probably to most horrific stain to remove from carpet. Likewise, this is true for almost any sort of colored drink spill. Some times these spots seem impossible to get out but, here are a few steps to follow to help increase the chances that it will. In the event that you do have a permanent stain on your carpet, Ruggeek offers a low cost method to fix this other than expensive carpet replacement.

  1. To begin, gently blot the stain with a dry white towel. Moreover, never use a colored towel. You could have issue with that colored towel bleeding into your carpet. Also, it’s never a good idea rub the stain in a up and down, or side to side motion. This can make it more difficult to remove the carpet stain altogether. No to mention, this will fray the carpet fibers and push the liquid further down.
  2. Use a mixture of white vinegar, Dawn dish soap, and water in a spray bottle. Use 1/4 cup of white vinegar, 1 tbsp. of Dawn dish soap, and fill with water. Spray the stained area liberally and have it soak for 5-10 minutes. Use your white cloth and blot up the spot as much as possible then repeat. When rubbing out a spot it’s always best to rub in circular motions; not side to side, or up and down. Rub clockwise then, counter clockwise.
  3. There are many carpet stain removal products on the market. Also, you can prepare your own homemade spot remover with just basic household ingredients. If you buy one from the store it’s always best to read labels and preferably one that is “green” or eco-friendly. There is no need to use anything harmful to yourself, kids, and or pets. Furthermore, always test a small inconspicuous area before using any carpet stain remover.

Remove Coffee Stains

Coffee stain removal can be a bit tricky. Due to the fact that in most cases the coffee will be going on the carpet hot. In-turn this will melt any Scotchgard TM protection that may be on the carpet. All the while opening up the small microscopic dye site within the carpet fiber. Therefore, allowing for the brown color of the coffee to set in deep.

  1. First thing is first, always use a dry white towel and blot up as much as you can. Also consider the fact that coffee is a brownish color. Furthermore, if there a excessive spillage you could easily spread the coffee in other areas. This is why is so important to blot up the stain first.
  2. Use a mix of vinegar, water, and a non-bleach detergent in a spray bottle. See if this works before trying anything more significant in terms of chemicals
  3. There are several products design for this type of carpet stain. You can call your local professional carpet cleaning company and ask for advice. This would be advisable before, putting anything down that will only make the stain worse. If you are in the Atlanta, GA area feel free to call Ruggeek at (770) 466-8600 and we’ll be happy to advise you on what to do to save your carpet.  Of course, it’s best to perform a patch test to assure no damage from chemicals, and to check for color fastness.
  4. Polypropylene is a type of carpet that is OK to use a water and bleach solution to treat carpet stains  You can prepare a mixture of 1/4 cup of bleach to 1 cup and a 1/4 of water in a spray bottle. Let mixture sit a minute or two then, blot up and rinse with warm water. Repeat process until spot is out. Always check with your manufacturer so you now exactly what kind of carpet material you have. If you use bleach on carpet that is not bleach safe then, you will have a nice big bleach spot.

Blood Stains out of Carpet

Most people would naturally be concerned about blood stain appearing in there carpet. It’s usually not a good sign if there is blood in the carpet in the first place. However, don’t fret over this kind of stain. Although, the appearance of red blood looks like it will be next to impossible to get out, it is actually one of the easiest. For this stain it is best to treat is as soon as possible. As with any stains, the quicker you get to it the more effective it will be to remove it. There are numerous ways to remove blood carpet stains.

  1. Always use cold water instead of warm or hot water. The reason for this is because blood coagulates with heat. Therefore, cold water will prevent the blood from permeating into the carpet fibers.
  2. Get a all purpose spray bottle and add  2 tbs. of a liquid dish detergent such as Dawn and cold water, then spray on the stain. Next, you want to moisten the carpet stain is entirely. Give it a good soaking. Then use a paper towel or a dry white cloth to blot the spot so that the blood is transferred to the cloth. Rinse with cold water and repeat until stain is out.
  3. Peroxide is another method that we have used for decades. With its abilities to oxygenate most carpet stains, it is perfect for removing blood stains. Pour a little peroxide onto the blood stained area and bot up with a dry white towel or paper cloth. You’ll notice once the peroxide hits the blood spot it will start oxygenating and bubbles up to the surface. At this time start blotting the blood up and let it transfer over to the white towel. Keep repeat until blood stain is out of the carpet.

Pet Urine Stains

As soon as you see a urine spot , act as quick as possible. Absorb as much as possible with paper towels or white cloth towels. Next, spray or blot with a solution of one part white vinegar to one part water. Finally, apply a solution of 1/2 teaspoon of clear, mild, nonbleach detergent mixed with 32 ounces of water, rinse, and blot dry.

  • If the urine stain has already dried on the carpet fibers, your next move should be to re-moisten the stain. Then use a carpet stain cleaning product specifically formulated for pet stains. However, if you don’t have such a product handy, you can use the above solution mix with water and vinegar to get the stain out.
  • The vinegar and water solution will also help with neutralizing the odor itself.

Remove Ink Stains from Carpet

Ink stains can be one of the hardest stains to remove if are not a professional carpet cleaner. However, that’s OK we can guide you with a few simple steps and have that ink stain out of your carpet in no time. These methods also work for grease stains as well. With a few household items we’ll show you how to prepare your very own ink removing solution.

  1. Use a clean white moistened cloth with isopropyl alcohol 91%; the higher the alcohol content the better it will work. Next commence dabbing the wet cloth on the ink stained carpet; do not scrub! Scrubbing could actually make the ink spot to spread. Let it stand for a few minutes and then use a wet-dry vacuum to remove the excess moisture.
  2. You may need to treat the carpet stain with the alcohol again. Also hairspray, white wine, vinegar, and nail polish removers are effective ink removers.
  3. When using chemicals, rinse with water, and use wet vac if you have one to extract solutions out of the carpet fiber. The dryer the area the better when you are done.
  4. Always perform a test on an inconspicuous area of the carpet to make sure these cleaning solutions won’t cause damage.

Lipstick

  • Use alcohol or paint remover

Eyeliner

  • Use warm water and dish detergent. Agitate gently and this should remove the stain

Nail Polish Stain

  • Nail polish remover on a white dry cloth. Agitate gently in a circular motion clockwise then, in reverse counter clockwise. Never scrub side to side.

Oils and Waxes

  • Moisten and white towel with water. Lay cloth over the stain and put a iron on top at a warm setting. The will heat the oil or wax and transfer it to the towel. Repeat process on a clean area of the cloth until stain has completely transferred. Don’t leave iron sitting on cloth for to long as to burn through and cause further damage.

 

Words of Wisdom

You’ll notice most of these methods and processes use household chemicals, cleaners and supplies to remove carpet stains. The market has many different solution to address most all carpet stains. Solution that a formulated to remove specific stains. If the methods above do not seem to work for you always consult a professional. It’s better to ask for help than to cause yourself unnecessary expense replacement cost.

When stains get to a point where it seems to be more than you can handle, it’s always best at that point to hire a professional carpet cleaning service in your area. Go with someone reputable and experienced. It’s always best to stay on a regular maintenance cleaning schedule and this will assure your carpet has a long life. Regular cleanings are best for a germ free healthy home. Check out our website below on the homepage for the EPA recommended guidelines for carpet cleaning frequency schedule.

 

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