Nothing spoils a party or quality time spent with children and animals like a cool spot on the carpet. Whether it is a spilled drink or an accident in the bathroom, you will notice that the stain will tend to persist, both visually and olfactory. An immediate intervention done with a product specially designed for cleaning carpets is the best way to treat stains. Since most fabrics are highly absorbent, and many are light in color, it may be necessary to use a specific detergent and a rather complex process to remove stains completely and effectively.
Steps
Step 1. Remove as much dirt, debris or liquid as possible from the stained carpet
Vacuum the dry parts. Use a butter knife or popsicle stick to scrape any sticky substances off the carpet. Absorb excess liquids with kitchen paper
Step 2. Apply carpet stain remover to the stained area
- The detergent section of most supermarkets offers a variety of carpet cleaning products. Alternatively, you can make your own by mixing equal parts distilled water and white wine vinegar, and then add a couple of squirts of dish soap.
- In many cases, lighter fluid is an excellent carpet stain remover.
Step 3. Let the solution soak into the stain for 10 minutes, or for the time recommended in the directions on the stain remover package
Keep children and pets away from the stain remover area of the carpet, as the chemicals it contains can be severely harmful
Step 4. Blot the stained area with kitchen paper, a rag, or a carpet cleaning tool
The stain should come off. If it is still visible, reapply the cleaner and continue scrubbing after allowing it to soak in for the indicated time.
Step 5. Dab a cloth moistened in distilled water on the newly cleaned area to rinse it of residual cleaning solution
Then dry it by dabbing it with clean paper or cloth.
Step 6. Immediately vacuum the area to straighten the carpet fabric fibers again and to prevent deeper parts of the stain from rising up and becoming visible
Advice
- If you have a wet vacuum cleaner, rinse the treated area with water and use it to suck up the water and dirt. Often it can prove to be a more effective and faster method than a repeated tamponade of the stain.
- Treat carpet stains as quickly as possible. The longer you let them penetrate the fibers, the more complex the process of removing them will be.
Warnings
- Do not rub the cleaner on the stain. Its goal is to lift dirt to the surface where it can be buffered and removed. Rubbing will push the stain deeper again instead of removing it.
- Some stains cannot be removed no matter how hard you try or what type of cleaner you use. The only other options available to you are to replace the carpet or cover the stained area with a piece of furniture.
