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When something gets spilled on your carpet, you may react by grabbing a scrub brush and some hot soapy water, but that may not help and in some cases it may make the stain spread. Renting an expensive carpet cleaner is not always a viable option. However, many common carpet stains can be effectively removed using common household products. Let’s discuss how to remove carpet stains with common household products, a few remedies may surprise you.
Coffee or Tea Stains
Use baby wipes or another extra-absorbent cloth on the spill to absorb the liquid. Apply a solution of two tablespoons salt dissolved in 1/2 cup white vinegar. Allow the solution to dry and then vacuum. Vinegar is an effective cleaning agent for many types of stains. If the spill has already dried, try pouring a bit of beer on the stain and lightly rubbing it into the spot. The beer should make the stain vanish, but you may need to repeat the process several times.
Pet stains are the worst kind of stain because they not only leave a spot in the carpet, but an unpleasant odor as well. As with other stains, clean the initial mess by blotting. Then spray a simple solution of equal parts of vinegar and warm water on the spot and allow the solution to soak into the carpet fibers. Blot dry once again. Allow the carpet to dry almost completely, then sprinkle the area with baking soda. Mix half a cup of 3% hydrogen peroxide with one tablespoon liquid dish detergent. Put on some vinyl gloves and work the paste into the carpet using your fingers and then with a scrub brush as the baking soda dissolves. Allow to dry completely and vacuum the spot thoroughly.
Blood Stains
Blood stains can be completely removed, especially if the carpet is treated immediately after the accident. In the case of blood stains, cold water is recommended because warm or hot water will actually help the blood stain permeate the carpet more deeply. Using gloves for your safety, spray or pour a solution of cold water and two tablespoons grease-fighting dish detergent to the spot and use the blotting method with paper towels or an absorbent cloth. Hydrogen peroxide makes blood stains disappear, too, but may cause discoloration of the carpet. Try an oxygenated detergent instead. Several applications of the cleaning solution may be necessary to complete the process.
Punch or Juice Stains
Blot with wet sponge, rinsing often. Squirt some shaving cream on the spot and work it into the stain. A solution of two cups warm water mixed with 1/2 cup white vinegar and two tablespoons Dawn dishwashing liquid can be used, employing the spray-and-blot method described previously.
Dirt Stains
For tough ground-in dirt stains, make a paste of one tablespoon each of vinegar and cornstarch. Work the paste into the stained area using a dry cloth and allow to dry for 48 hours. Loosen the residue and vacuum.
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Editor’s Note: Andy Martin is the online marketing manager for Ram Cleaning Service, a cleaning service company for residential and commercial clients. For more on keeping your floor coverage clean, please check out this article >> The Do’s and Dont’s of Area Rug Cleaning.
Image via Ram Cleaning Service.
For more on Best Practices for Cleaning around the house, please see our Category = Cleaning. Thanks. ~jb