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6 Tips for Carpet Stain Removal
No one plans to stain their carpet. It just happens. You walk carefully to the couch with a glass of wine and trip, or the dog is left inside for just a little bit too long, and you end up on your hand and knees cleaning a stain you hoped would never happen.
If you are a renter, it is worthy of a little panic as you see your security deposit float away. Hiring carpet cleaners are always a good idea. There are many steps to go through before you give up and move the coffee table over a few inches. High traffic areas are susceptible to staining from shoes or feet. To avoid stains in these areas, consider using a rug at your entryway or removing your shoes before you walk over the carpets.
Here are 6 tips for removing the inevitable carpet stains:
Get to the Stain Quickly:
A fresh stain is much easier to remove than an old, dried stain. If the stain is allowed to dry, it will often take more time and effort to remove. This doesn’t mean drop whatever you are doing and run to the store to buy a carpet cleaner.
For a new stain, grab a rag and blot the stain to pick up the excess before it spreads. Be sure not to press too hard, or you will push the stain farther into the carpet. Once you have blotted out as much as you can, it is time to assess what it will take to remove the stain.
Every stain is a little different, just as every carpet is different. The plush shag carpets cling to stains as they seep into the crevices of the carpet while thin, industrial carpets don’t allow the substance to sink in. If you have thick carpet, you will need more product to soak through to the carpet’s lower layers.
Don’t Try to Rush the Process:
While getting to a stain quickly is essential, taking the time to remove a stain is just as important. If you rush the process, you are likely to make the stain worse before it gets better, making it take longer anyway.
After you have blotted out the excess, take a few moments to think about what kind of chemical is needed. For example, oil-based paint will often require a store-bought solution to remove the stain. If you have this on hand, read the directions before use, and get started on removing your stain.
Test a New Carpet Cleaner:
As mentioned before, every carpet is different in how it looks and how it reacts to various chemicals. You don’t want the stain remover to discolor the carpet and create its own stain.
If you have a carpet cleaner or homemade solution you have never used on your carpet, it is strongly suggested that you test the product on a scrap piece of carpet or in the back of a closet with the same carpet. This will ensure that you will not damage the carpet in the middle of the room when trying to clean it.
Pet Stains
Pet stains can be more challenging to deal with because it is not only the surface stain that needs to be removed but also the underlying odor. Dogs and cats have an excellent sense of smell and will be drawn back to the same area if it is not properly treated.
For pet stains, it is recommended to use a product specially formulated for pet stain removal. These will have special ingredients to remove both the odor and the stain. If you have a pet in your home, you should always have one of the products available to be able to treat the stain quickly. Pets form habits rapidly, and if they return to that spot again, it will be extremely difficult to train them not to go there.
Hire a Carpet Cleaning Company:
If you have stains throughout your home or are looking for a deep clean, consider hiring a carpet cleaning company. Vacuums aren’t able to remove all debris from your carpet, so it is a good idea to have your carpets professionally cleaned every so often to keep your house in tip-top shape.
The professionals will be able to deep clean your carpets and remove unwanted dust and dirt that has been in your carpet for years. Carpets and other soft surfaces hold and trap odors and will keep your house smelling musty over time. It may seem like a burden to move furniture out of a room and put it back, but it is definitely worth the trouble.
Homemade Solutions:
There are countless homemade products that people swear by on the internet, and they will all have varying levels of success. When you look for homemade concoctions on the internet, check that the source is reliable. Many hacks or quick tips are false and will either not help at all or make the problems worse.
Hydrogen peroxide, vinegar, and baking soda are all common ingredients used for DIY carpet cleaning. It will depend on the stain on which will work best, or if a combination is the way to go. Do a quick search on your phone before using these solutions, and don’t forget to test them on a scrap piece of carpet. You can get a long way with dish soap and warm water on many stains.
Most Importantly: Don’t Let the Fear of a Stain Keep You From Living Your Life:
Many people walk around their own homes with lids on everything or do not allow any food on the couch for fear of stains. Most stains will come out of upholstery or carpet with a little elbow grease. Stains will happen, and while you shouldn’t go out of your way to create them, you shouldn’t live in fear of them either.
When you do come across a stain, don’t panic. You have the information at your fingertips on how to remove the stain easily and completely as if it never happened. Whether you are a homeowner or a renter, the stains are not in charge. You are.
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