You’ve probably experienced the panic of spilling something on your rug. But some items are more staining than others. The panic of a wine, nail polish or other highly staining material can feel crippling.
But the good news is, there are options for carpet cleaning stains out of your home. Even once they set in, you generally still have options for removing these terrible stains. Here’s a look at some of the toughest stains to get out of your carpet.
- Blood
- Kool-Aid
- Pet stains
- Coffee
- Ink
If you’re facing a stain from one of these items, don’t panic! We have a solution for you to restore your carpet to its original beauty.
Blood
The moment blood hits clothes or other surfaces, you probably dread the idea of having to try to remove the stain. For bloodstains, the key is to treat the surface as quickly as possible before it has a chance to set in. The faster you act, the less likely the stain will have time to permeate the fabric.
And the good news is, that there are a variety of cleaning methods for removing blood from carpet. Most of these options are also common household items you likely have on hand. Here’s a look at some effective ways to remove blood stains from carpet.
- Fill a spray bottle with 2 teaspoons of grease-fighting dish soap (i.e., Dawn or a similar product). Add cold water to the mixture. You must use cold water when treating bloodstains. Blood coagulates with heat, which will make it permeate your carpet fibers. Spray the affected area with the cleaner liberally. Blot the area with a paper towel or white cloth. Do not scrub as this can make the stain spread. Rinse the cloth or paper towel with cold water and repeat until you’ve removed all the blood.
- Mix OxiClean with cold water to dilute it as the instructions say on the package. The container will tell you to use warm water for best results but remember that you don’t want to use warm water on bloodstains. While cold water will not dissolve the OxiClean as well, it will still help dilute the mixture appropriately. Apply the mixture to your carpet with a spray bottle or by pouring it on the affected area. Blot dry. If the stain persists, dry the area and repeat the process.
- Be persistent in your cleaning. You might need to use a combination of these two methods to clean the affected area. However, with persistence, you should be able to remove the stain. You can place baking soda on the affected area to make sure you remove all moisture from the carpet after you’ve removed the stain.
Kool-Aid
Kool-Aid is a fun children’s drink that can be refreshing at parties or on hot summer days. However, it also poses a great risk to your carpeting as the dye in the drink is tough to remove from surfaces. Here’s a look at how to remove Kool-Aid stains from your carpet.
- Blot the area with a dry white cloth or towel to remove as much of the Kool-Aid as possible. Do not scrub; only blot the area.
- Mix ¼ cup of white vinegar, a teaspoon of grease-fighting dish soap and water in a spray bottle. For the right amount of water, just fill the remaining space in the bottle with water. Spray the solution on the affected area liberally and allow it to soak for several minutes. Blot the area until the solution is removed. Repeat as necessary until the stain is removed.
- For stubborn stains that these methods don’t work on, try a carpet cleaning solution like OxiClean or RESOLVE to get the stain out.
Pet Stains
If your pet has an accident on your carpet or gets sick and vomits, you should act quickly before the stain sets and the odor sinks in. Here’s how to use carpet cleaning stain tips for removing pet accidents.
- Clean up the mess if there are solids involved. Then, blot the area to remove as much of the accident as you can. You’ll know you’ve blotted long enough when the carpet feels nearly dry to the touch.
- Mix together ¼ cup of vinegar with a quart of warm water in a spray bottle. You can substitute white wine for the vinegar if you don’t have vinegar on hand. Apply the mixture to your carpet and allow it several minutes to soak. Blot the area dry.
- If this doesn’t work or you don’t have vinegar or white wine in your home at the time of the accident, you can mix together a quart of water with stain-fighting laundry detergent. Then spray the affected area and allow time to soak before blotting.
- Place baking soda over the affected area to neutralize any odors. Let stand for 24-48 hours.
Coffee
After a coffee spill, you’ll likely be left with a yellowish-brown spot on your carpet if you don’t act quickly. You can remove coffee stains from carpet though with the right approach.
- Start by removing as much of the coffee as possible by blotting the area. If it’s a large spill, use multiple cloths or towels to blot the area. You can spread the stain if you try blotting with a wet towel or cloth.
- Mix together vinegar, water and a non-bleach detergent. Spray the affected area and allow it time to soak before blotting. Once you’ve blotted it dry, rinse it with cool water and blot the water dry. If the stain persists, repeat the process.
Ink
The terror of seeing a child use a pen on your carpet is crippling. No matter how ink made its way to your carpet, take a deep breath and know that you can remove it. Here’s how to use common household cleaners to remove ink from your carpet.
- Using a clean, white washcloth, add isopropyl alcohol to the cloth. Make sure to thoroughly dampen the cloth. The higher the percentage of active ingredients in the alcohol, the better. Dab the affected area of your carpet with the damp washcloth. Do not rub the area as you can spread the stain. Leave the alcohol on your carpet for several minutes to let it permeate the area. Then, use a liquid friendly vacuum to remove the solution or dab it dry with a washcloth or towel.
- Hairspray or nail polish removers can also be effective in removing ink stains if they have a high alcohol content. You could also use a white wine or vinegar solution if you don’t have any isopropyl alcohol on hand to clean the area. Just rinse with water or vacuum the area to dry the spot once you’ve let the solution sink in.
Tips for Carpet Cleaning Stains
Carpet cleaning stains can be a nerve-wracking process. Stay calm and follow the instructions above to clean tough stains. Even if the stain has set in, you can test these solutions to see if you can reduce the stain to make it less obvious in your home.
- Clean it as soon as possible. Don’t get distracted or think that you’ll just blot it now and clean it later. The sooner you attend to the stain, the better.
- Test the solution on an inconspicuous area to make sure it won’t harm your carpet before using it on the stain. You don’t want to damage your carpet with chemicals or a cleaning solution in a highly visible area.
- Use the best cleaning solution based on the type of stain you’re fighting. Different stains present different challenges in removal so using an appropriate solution is important.
For professional assistance in removing stains, contact A Advanced Home Care. We can help restore your carpet’s beauty.
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