If you’re looking to increase the lifespan of your carpet and keep it looking as new as possible, it’s worth knowing how to remove stains on your own, before they become permanent. With just a few simple tricks and techniques, you can remove dirt and grime as well as the occasional spilled drink or pet mess. Here are some tips on removing stains from carpet and rugs that will help you take care of both your home and your carpeting!
1) Coffee and tea
These two beverages are known for their ability to help you stay awake, but they’re also notorious for leaving unsightly dark stains on your carpets. Removing coffee and tea stains requires plenty of elbow grease, but it can be done with time and effort. Start by blotting up as much of the stain as possible using a clean cloth or paper towel, then follow these steps: 1) Soak a clean white rag in either cold water or white vinegar and apply pressure to the stain. 2) Sprinkle a small amount of baking soda over the top of just a few drops of hydrogen peroxide (3/4 cup hydrogen peroxide should do). Be sure not to use too much hydrogen peroxide as this can discolour your carpet. 3) Scrub at any remaining staining with a scrub brush or old toothbrush before rinsing thoroughly. It is important to remove the stain as quickly as possible as the tannins (the compound that gives tea and coffee its colour) can be very hard to remove once there for a while.
2) Red wine or juice
Don’t try to remove wine or juice stains by soaking them up with a towel. Instead, pre-treat these spots right away by pouring some club soda on them. Leave it there for an hour, then wash as usual. The chemicals in red wine are likely what is causing your carpet to turn yellow; here, you can use club soda’s ability to remove those discoloring chemicals from your carpets. Make sure to test a small spot first if you have any doubts about whether your carpet is colorfast.
3) Blood or ink
The first step in removing ink or blood from your carpet is locating as much of it as possible with a clean, wet cloth or sponge. Once you have covered as much as you can, soak it in cold water for 20 minutes, then apply a stain remover formulated specifically for ink stains. If you can’t find one of these cleaners call your local carpet cleaning service
4) Greasy stains
If you have a grease spill, be sure to scrape it off as soon as possible. If some of it has sunk in already, gently rub a mild detergent into it with a damp sponge. Once you’ve worked that into a lather, rinse and then blot dry with a clean towel or paper towels. Repeat until it looks good as new. Be careful not to overwork these stains or use too much force—you don’t want to push more of the oil deeper into your carpet! Instead, gently pat with a clean, absorbent cloth until there is no more color on your cloth. Finally, if you are treating rugs, leave rugs out on sunny days for several hours so they can air out—the heat will help evaporate lingering odors.
5) Wax stains
Wax stains on carpets, clothes, or furniture can be easily removed with equal parts lemon juice and rubbing alcohol. Apply in a well-ventilated area using a clean cloth or sponge. Allow it to sit for about 30 minutes before thoroughly cleaning with soap and water. Don’t rub at wax stains; instead, gently scrape off any excess wax before treating it with your stain removal agent of choice.
6) Gum
It’s sticky, icky and seemingly indestructible. Gum is one of those pesky stains that seem like they would be difficult (if not impossible) to remove from your carpet. Luckily, it’s not as complicated as you might think. With a few simple steps and some patience, you can completely get rid of gum without leaving behind any residue. Here are a few steps on how to clean gum off carpet:
1. Try warm water. If all else fails, stick with what works. The warm water method involves dabbing away at the gum with a wet cloth or sponge.
2. Use carpet powder. While carpet cleaning solutions often contain chemicals that will help break down stubborn spots, using cornstarch will actually work even better at softening up crusted-on gum.
3. Another method is to take an icecube and place it on the gum until it’s frozen. Then you can proceed to break off the gum. Treat any residual stains with the methods above.
4. If nothing works, or there is still residue, contact your local Fraser Coast carpet cleaning service. Professional carpet cleaners may be able to advise you with the best course of action and help your get your carpets looking like new again.
7) Deep Carpet Stain Removal
Most carpet stains are easy to remove if you take action right away. To start, blot up as much of the liquid as possible with a clean cloth. Blotting up spilled liquids will keep them from spreading and staining your carpet even more than they already have. Depending on what’s spilled, use either a mild dish soap and water solution or a basic household cleaner with bleach added. Deep stains or stains that have been there for a while can be impossible to remove without help from a professional.
At Ivey’s Carpet Cleaning and Pest Control, we pride ourselves on great results and customer satisfaction. If you need help with your carpets contact us today on 0428 420 667 or fill out this quote form HERE. We offer pest control, carpet cleaning, termite inspections and building & pest inspections in the Fraser Coast region including Maryborough, Hervey Bay, Tiaro and surrounds.