A wine stain on a light-colored carpet – such a horror! Acting fast and knowing what to do will be the key to saving expensive rugs and getting rid of even the most stubborn stains. You can try several home remedies for carpet stains that will be incredibly efficient. The following list will give you a few ideas.
Vinegar Solution
White vinegar is the perfect option for carpet cleaning and deodorizing. You can dilute half a cup of white vinegar with one cup of water. Pour in a spray bottle and do a spot treatment of the stain. Let the vinegar act for 10 to 15 minutes and blot with a paper towel.
It is usually a good idea to test the cleaning solution before getting started. Spray on a small portion of the carpet to make sure that no discoloration occurs. White vinegar is great for all kinds of fabrics but this test can help you rest assured that your carpet will remain looking brand new.
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A Detergent-Based Cleaning Solution
Dishwashing liquid is great for getting rid of water-soluble stains and for some kinds of greasy carpet stains.
Choose a clear liquid detergent because the coloring used in some varieties could stain the carpet. Dilute with some warm water and pour in a spray bottle. A good ratio is half a teaspoon of dishwashing liquid to one cup of water.
Dip a sponge into the cleaning liquid and rub gently into the stained area of the carpet. Blot with a paper towel and allow the carpet to dry. Vacuum clean it thoroughly to get rid of any residue.
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Baking Soda Spot Stain Remover
A combination of white vinegar and baking soda is great for getting rid of stains and bad smell from your carpets.
Mix equal parts of white vinegar and baking soda. You should get a very thick paste. Dilute it with some warm water until you get the rid kind of consistency – it should be thin and runny. A toothbrush or a sponge can be used to get some of the cleaning liquid into the stained area. Allow the carpet area to dry and vacuum clean thoroughly. Here are more uses for baking soda.
Baking Powder and Corn Flour
This is a dry cleaning option that you can try if you are adamant on preventing the carpet from getting wet.
Mix a bit of baking powder and a small amount of corn flour or corn starch. Corn starch is great for the extraction of greasy stains from the carpet. The baking powder will remove any strange or unpleasant odors.
Get started immediately after the carpet has been stained to see the best results. Sprinkle the dry cleaning powder on the stained area and keep it on for some time. The starch will absorb the greasiness from the carpet fibers. Vacuum clean the powder and take a look at the spot. Repeat the cleaning procedure if the spot is still visible.
Club Soda
Something as simple as club soda can be a great option for water-soluble stains. Soak a white cloth in club soda and blot the stained carpet area. Keep on soaking the cloth with club soda and repeat until you extract all of the stain from the carpet fiber. Make sure that the carpet has been thoroughly dried after you are done. Moisture stuck inside the fiber will result in unpleasant odor because it will create good conditions for mold and mildew.
Getting Rid of Stubborn Stains
Having some kind of strong carpet cleaner at home is always a good idea. You can use it on its own or you can apply the carpet cleaner after trying one of the DIY stain removal options.
Commercial carpet cleaners can be used for a wide range of stains and carpet fabrics. Simply follow the instructions and choose a high quality product that will protect the carpet while extracting very stubborn stains.
Stains from Pets
Using a carpet cleaning machine is the most effective way to get rid of pet stains and odour. Use a pet carpet cleaner with a cleaning solution specialized on pets. The cleaning solution will remove the stain and the odour, and will contain fragrance that makes your carpet smell better.
To handle pet hair they often have pet hair baskets to collect the hair.
Steam Cleaning
Steam is a very powerful cleaning possibility that will help you get rid of water-soluble stains and it will disinfect your carpets.
If you have a steam cleaner, you can use a commercial cleaning product or a vinegar solution to get rid of the most common types of stains. Both of the possibilities will deliver great results but the commercial cleaner will be a bit better when it comes to handling tough stains and accumulated residue in the carpet fibers.
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A Few Stain Cleaning Tips and Techniques
Now that you know which remedies for carpet stains are best, it is time to explore the best cleaning techniques. Always start working from the outside towards the center of the stained area.
Be gentle and refrain from scrubbing the carpet aggressively. This cleaning approach will simply get the stain deep into the carpet fabric, making it almost impossible to remove. Blotting is the best possibility and it should be used instead of back and forth cleaning. Gentle brushing in the same direction is permissible for really stubborn stains.
Use a white towel or a white piece of fabric to apply the cleaning solution. Color migration is a viable option, if you use a dark-colored piece of fabric on a light carpet. Paper towels and corn starch are the best options for removing excess moisture.
Bleach and bleaching products should never be used on carpet stains. Though they will dissolve the spot, such cleaning agents will also lead to carpet discoloration.
Some of the best home remedies for carpet stains are really simple and inexpensive. They will work great for the common stain varieties but if you are dealing with something really stubborn like blood or grease, try a commercial cleaner. These products are especially formulated to protect the fibers and to get rid of even the oldest and most stubborn carpet stain.
