Carpet delivers cozy softness and added warmth underfoot, but it can also make your floors susceptible to stains.
And then it happens: the coffee spill or the flying gravy boat at Thanksgiving.
Before reaching for the nearest bottle of cleaning product, remember that the best choice is often water.
Credit:BHG/Sarah Crowley
Blot (don’t rub) the stain with a clean, slightly damp white cloth.
If plain water doesn’t work, move on to a carpet stain remover or DIY solution.
Step 1: Remove excess ASAP.
Credit:BHG/Sarah Crowley
Repeat until the cloth no longer picks up any color.
Step 2: Apply a carpet stain remover.
Spray any remaining stain with a carpet stain remover, following the manufacturer’s instructions for tool.
Credit: Brie Williams
you’re free to alsoclean the carpetwith a vinegar solution.
No matter which carpet cleaner you use, don’t over-wet the stain, which can damage the backing.
Let sit for 10 minutes.
Always test for color fastness in an inconspicuous spot before applying a carpet stain remover.
Step 3: Blot stain away.
Using a clean, white, absorbent cloth, blot from the outside in.
Repeat until the stain no longer transfers to the cloth.
Blot with cold water, then blot dry.
Weigh them down with a heavy object and change out paper towels until dry.
Apply cold water or club soda, then blot with a clean cloth.
Repeat until the stain is gone.
Gently break up the wax, then vacuum up the pieces.
Blot the area to dry.
Vacuum the area to pick up any loose flakes or pieces.
Leave the solution on for at least five minutes, then blot until the stain is gone.
Blot the spill first, then apply the solution.
Let it sit for a few seconds before carefully working in the solution with your fingers.
Rinse the stain with water, blot, and repeat until the stain is removed.
Dirt
Allow dirt or mud stains on carpet to completely dry before treating.
Scrape off as much residue as possible, then vacuum.
Fat-based stains (butter, margarine, gravy, etc.)
Use baking soda as a carpet cleaner for fatty stains.
Sprinkle the stain withbaking sodaand let it sit for six hours.
Vacuum and then blot with a cloth moistened with rubbing alcohol.
you’re free to also use a dry-solvent spot carpet cleaner, following the label instructions.
Blot with a clean microfiber cloth.
Repeat until the stain is gone.
Gum
Peel away as much gum as you could.
Harden the remaining gum by placing a resealable plastic bag of ice cubes over it.
Chip gum away with a spoon or dull knife toremove gum from the fibers.
Vacuum and clean the lingering stain with a dry-solvent carpet cleaner, following the label instructions.
Apply an enzymatic cleaner, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
This punch in of carpet cleaning product uses enzymes to eliminate both the stain and odor.
If you spill permanent ink or paint onyour carpet, professional cleaning is necessary.
Getting a stubborn stain treated sooner rather than later for the best professional cleaning results is a good idea.
Wait for it to dry, and then vacuum.
If that doesn’t do the trick, a professional may be needed.
Let the vinegar dry completely, and let the baking soda siton the carpetfor at least 12-24 hours.
It’s better to leave it too long than remove it too quickly.
Depending on your carpet bang out, it will need to be replaced every 5 to 15 years.
Also, if you suspect the padding has disintegrated, that’s another reason toreplace your carpet.
