Top 12 Carpet Stain Removal Tips from the Pros

With several flooring options available, carpeting is one of the most popular choices. It is suitable for all seasons with its appearance and comfort. But whatever the reason you are gravitating towards carpeting, it is always important to keep your carpet clean. Despite your best efforts, carpets are bound to be exposed to spills, stains, pet hair, and more. As a professional cleaner, we are here to give you 12 carpet stain removal tips to keep your carpeting pristine.

1. Always Blot Stains. Never Rub Them

Whether you are working with upholstery, carpeting, or fabric, always blot to absorb stains. This is because rubbing will just spread the stains, and it will go deeper onto the carpet fibers. All you need to do is to pour some cleaning solution into a sponge or a clean cloth. Blot the stained area while putting a little pressure on it to soak the stains up. Your goal here is to absorb the stain as much as you can. If it has already dried, do the same thing using a wet sponge to remove the color as much as possible?

2. ACT FAST! Deal With Stains As Soon As Possible

If your child drops food or your dog throws up on the carpet, scrape off the solids. Use a butter spoon or knife, so the stain does not become permanent. Next, you will get a rag or paper towel and blot the excess liquid. Ensure that you work from the stain’s outer edge to the center to prevent the stain from spreading.

3, Follow the Right Stain Cleaning Tips for Different Fabrics

Carpets are made from different fabrics. Some carpet materials can be delicate, and you want to avoid permanently damaging them by applying the stain removal method. Here are some things you need to remember:

• Wool carpets can be destroyed if you are too rough with the delicate fibers
• Cotton carpets can stand up scrubbing, cold or hot water, and most stain-cleaning solvents
• Silk carpets are delicate, and it is recommended to be cleaned by a professional carpet cleaner
• Leather carpets need to be cleaned with specific leather cleaners such as white vinegar
• Polyester carpet is more delicate and is best washed in cool water

Always look at your carpet label before cleaning the stains out. Hot water may work better but can cause shrinkage on your carpet.

4. Remove Grease or Oil with Dish Detergent

Grease spills are very difficult to remove from carpeting. However, you can easily remove those oily stains with the proper process. To remove small grease stains, mix 1 cup warm water with three drops of grease-cutting dish soap, pour the mixture into a spray bottle, and soak the area with greasy stains. Blot the area until the grease disappears. If the stain persists, repeat the process multiple times.

5. Use Cold Water or Ice to Harden Sticky Stains

If your carpet has sticky stains such as candle wax, gum, or adhesives, apply cold water or ice on the area until you notice the wax begins to harden. Then use a butter knife to break up hardened residue and vacuum the pieces up.

6. For Blood Stains, Try Hydrogen Peroxide.

If you accidentally spill hydrogen peroxide on your carpet, the fizziness of peroxide will work for you. It has bleaching properties and works on various surfaces, including upholstery and carpet. First, spray water and a mild dish soap mixture on the blood to loosen the stain. Then pour 3%-strength hydrogen peroxide on the stain. Wait for a few minutes for the blood to fizzle. Blot the area with a clean cloth and a damp white cloth to wipe the area.

7. Club Soda to the Rescue for Wine Spills

One thing that can worry homeowners is spilling red wine on a white carpet. But there’s hope since you only need white vinegar, club soda, and water to remove the spill. First, pour some club soda on a clean sponge or cloth. Then gently blot the red wine stains until they lighten. Repeat the process as often as you need to ensure that the red wine color is completely gone.

8. Cleaning up Coffee or Tea

Spillage of tea or coffee can leave behind brown or yellow discolored spots on your carpet. To clean the carpet, you can use a paper towel to remove the excess coffee or tea. Then soak another cloth in white vinegar to dap the stain and keep it pressed for some time. Finally, wash the area with a cloth soaked in lukewarm water till the stain vanishes.

9. Use a lint roller on the carpet.

To get rid of hair and crumbs that even vacuuming misses, you can use a lint roller on problem areas.

10. How to Clean up Dirt or Mud

Wait for the mud to try before cleaning it up. Try to scrape off any pieces or chunks before vacuuming. Add a detergent solution and then let it sit for about ten minutes. Try blotting the stain with a cloth or paper towel until clean.

11. Crush candy stains

Children love candy so much. These candies may end up on the carpet floor. If this happens, you can remove as much as possible using a butter knife. Scraping may also help view the actual problem areas but requires an aggressive approach. Dip a sponge with mild soap and warm water and press it into the carpet. This sponge will soak up the sticky residue. Then blot the stain using a clean cloth.

12. Remember to deep clean your carpet regularly.

To keep your carpet looking its best, ensure that it is professionally cleaned at least once each year. Deep cleaning machines are very powerful in penetrating carpet fibers and can effectively suck out grime and dirt and remove deep stains.

Conclusion

No matter how careful you are, accidents happen, and your carpet is bound to suffer stains. Thankfully, you can use these carpet stain removal tips from professionals to make cleaning up the mess much easier. We hope that this guide was helpful.