We've all spilled red wine, had a cat get in the way, or stepped in mud on a carpet that had just been cleaned. You don't have to leave stains there for good, though. You can get rid of carpet stains for good if you know how. The most important thing is to act quickly and use the right method for the type of spill. This article will show you how to clean up common stains around the house quickly and with confidence. Your carpets will stay looking great for a long time.
What Is The Quickest Way To Remove A Stain From Carpet?
The most important thing to do when you want to get stains out of carpet is to act quickly. It gets harder to get rid of a stain the longer it stays. You should clean up the mess before you even think about making a cleaning solution.
The First Golden Steps:
- Blotting: Don't rub the spill. Instead, use a clean, white, absorbent cloth or paper towel to soak it up right away.
- Start from the Edge: Start at the edge and work your way in to keep the stain from spreading.
- Identification: To pick the best way to clean it, you need to know what made the stain, like coffee, blood, or ink.
How to Clean Carpet Stains
You can get rid of most stains with ingredients you already have at home if you plan. The following are the steps you should take to clean stains off carpet:
The Best Way to Get Rid of Stains
You can use a simple cleaning solution after blotting.
- Mix a DIY Solution: Put 1/4 teaspoon of a clear, mild dish soap into 1 cup of warm water. Avoid soaps that are bright or strong.
- Apply and Blot: Put a cloth in the solution, rinse it well, and then use it to soak up the stain.
- Press to Dry: Put a clean, dry cloth or a stack of paper towels over the area and something heavy on top of it to soak up any extra water.
How to Get Rid of Organic Stains
For each type of stain, you need to do something else. This is how to deal with some of the most common problems.
- Pet stains: You can use a mixture of equal parts white vinegar and water. After you wipe it, you can sprinkle some baking soda on it and let it bubble. After it has dried, the next step is to clean it up with a vacuum. An enzymatic cleaner is the best way to get rid of smells.
- Blood stains: Use only cold water. Warm water will make the blood protein hard. Wipe with a cloth that is wet with cold water.
How to Remove Stains That Are Hard to Get Out of Carpet
These stains are usually greasy or made of dye, so you need something stronger to get rid of them.
- Red Wine: For red wine, soak it in salt after you dab it up. After 15 minutes, vacuum up the salt. You can also add hydrogen peroxide and dish soap, but only after the color has stayed the same.
- Ink: Spray some hairspray on the stain and then wipe it off right away. The alcohol in the hairspray can break down the ink.
- Grease/Oil: Sprinkling baking soda or cornstarch on the stain will help you get rid of the grease or oil. After 15 minutes, you can vacuum it up.
Things You Shouldn't Do When You Want to Remove Stains
If you don't know how to clean up a small spill, it could become a big problem.
- Using Too Much Cleaner: If you use too much cleaner on the carpet, it can get too wet, and mold and mildew can grow in the padding underneath.
- Scrubbing Hard: This breaks up the fibers in the carpet, which makes it harder to get rid of the stain.
- Not Doing the Colorfastness Test: Always test a cleaning solution on a small, hidden area of the carpet first to make sure it doesn't change the color.
When to Get Help from a Professional
You can usually get rid of a new, simple stain on your own. But there are times when you need to get help from professionals. If you've tried to get rid of a stain but it didn't work, the stain is very big or old, or the rug is very valuable or old, it's time to call in the pros. You need professional tools and skills to get stains out of carpet without hurting it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Does vinegar help get stains out of rugs?
Yes, mixing white vinegar with water is a great way to get rid of smells and stains on plants.
Q2: How long does it take for a carpet to dry after it has been cleaned?
Depending on how well it is cleaned and aired out, it can take between 6 and 12 hours for a carpet to dry completely.
Q3: Can I put baking soda on my carpet?
No, baking soda is safe for carpets and works well to get rid of bad smells. After it dries, make sure to vacuum it well.
Q4: What kind of stain is the hardest to get out of a rug?
Ink, red wine, and stubborn protein stains like blood are some of the hardest stains to get rid of.
Q5: Why does my carpet still look dirty after I cleaned it?
The stain may have gone through the backing, or the cleaning residue may have made it "wick" back to the top. A professional typically has to perform this.
Handle Your Toughest Stains With Confidence
You should know how to clean carpets, but it's best to let the pros do some of the work. The best and safest thing to do is to call an expert if you have a stain that won't come out or are worried about ruining an expensive area rug.
Brooklyn Area Rug Cleaning has the right tools and knows how to clean your carpets and rugs all the way through, getting rid of even the toughest stains and making them look like new again. Contact us today and get a free consultation about the safety of your rugs.
For more information, call us at 347-983-1431