Carpet Stain Removal Tips
Cleaning tips come in handy any time of year.
From the new puppy you get in the spring to the sticky gum that melts on your shoe in July to the holiday party in December, getting stains out of your carpet will help your carpet look newer longer.
Pet Stains:
That is, if your new puppy has urinated, defecated or vomited on it. To save your carpet from pet stains, buy yourself a case of baking soda on the day you buy your puppy.
Tips for removing pet stains:
- Pick up the mess or blot up the liquid as soon as you can.
- Pour baking soda on the area and work into the stain. Wear gloves and work it in by hand or use a clean cloth.
- Allow to dry, then vacuum.
Removing Gum:
Gum and other sticky compounds like tar are the enemies of any carpet.
While it may seem obvious, a pound of prevention in this case is worth the replacement value of your carpet. If you can, get your family into the habit of removing their shoes at the entry point of the house to protect your carpets.
If, however, you do get gum or tar on your carpet, follow these steps:
- Freeze the area with ice cubes.
- Remove any frozen chunks that can be easily removed without damaging the carpet fibers.
If any of the gum remains you may need to follow up with one of these two alternate methods:
WD 40:
- Place a small amount of WD-40 on a lint-free cloth
- Lightly dab the area until the material is lifted.
Vinegar:
- Apply warm vinegar to the gummed area and let it sit a few minutes.
- Use a toothbrush or clean cloth to lift remaining gum.
Removing Food and Wine Stains from Carpets and Rugs:
The best carpet stain removal tips for food and wine involve using salt, borax and vinegar. The reason this mixture works is because the salt absorbs moisture, the borax whitens without destroying fibers like bleach, and the vinegar will not promote mold and mildew growth in the carpet pad like water.
To mix a batch of carpet cleaning paste, mix salt, borax and vinegar in the following proportions:
- 1/4 cup salt
- 1/4 cup borax
- 1/4 cup vinegar
First, pick up as much of the food or wine as you can by blotting with a dry cloth. Then, using a soft-sided utensil, apply the entire mixture to the stain.
If the stained area is larger, you may need to make additional paste. Just remember to keep the proportion ratio 1:1:1. Allow the paste to dry and then vacuum. Depending on how long the stain has had to set, you may have to repeat these steps one or two more times.
