Cleaning carpet stains can sometimes be a very daunting task. That's because when a stain first happens, your first reaction is to pour every chemical on it that you have in your house to try to get it out. However, this can actually be counterproductive. You want to be careful what you apply to your carpet as different types of carpets have different carpet cleaning needs.
Cleaning carpet stains doesn't have to be difficult, however. For simple stains, such as dirt, you can usually get the stain out with a good soap based cleaner. However, if the stain is stronger than that, say, pet stains, ketchup or ink, you may have to look to a professional.
Seek A Professional's Help
A professional will usually steam clean your carpet. Steam cleaning carpet stains breaks the stain up by using very hot water and steam. The drawback to cleaning carpet stains this way is that it leaves your carpet wet afterwards. This usually means that you can't walk on it for some time. Also, you run the risk of getting a mildew smell in your carpet if your house isn't the correct temperature. Steam cleaning carpet stains can get those stains out and make your carpet look at least better than it did before.
You can also try cleaning carpet stains using chemical dry carpet cleaning. This method uses certain chemicals, usually packed with certain enzymes, that break the stain up without having to get the carpet wet. The drawback to this method is that you can ruin your carpet if you don't know what you're doing. It's best, if you're going to use this method, to find the help of a professional so that you don't do permanent damage to your carpet.
Cleaning carpet stains doesn't have to be an activity that causes a lot of anxiety. It all depends on what kind of stain you have. Any stain, be it pet stains or ink stains, can be removed. The trick is to apply whatever method you choose as soon as you can so that the substance doesn't have time to reach the padding underneath, which is the reason most stains become permanent.
Don't worry if something hits your carpet, there's a method out there that will get that stain out so that you don't have to find a new piece of furniture to go over it to cover it up. You can keep your carpet looking great for as long as you have it.
Sometimes removing stains is not as complicated as most professional carpet cleaning companies would like you to think. Before you run out and buy a really expensive stain remover or hire a professional carpet cleaner. Try this simple process to remove stains and you just might be pleasantly surprised and at a much lower cost.
The first thing to do if you have a spill of liquid is to get a soft white cloth, even better if it is cotton and blot it dry. Do not rub and scrub as this will just embed the stain into the fabric. Once you have completed this process, if the stain is still visible, dampen it again with a teaspoon full of warm water and go through the process once more.
If this does not work then you need to get your dishwashing liquid out and put a few drops on a table spoon with warm water and dampen the stain again, let it sit about 2 minuets and then start blotting it dry again.
This is hard work and it takes a little time but will remove most, if not all of the stain if you keep repeating the process.
The second type of stain is a dried stain. This is more difficult and more time consuming because a few more steps and some actual stain remover may be needed.
First take some warm water and dampen the stain area, do not use a lot of water as this will soak into the padding and may make stains rise from below and may even spread the stain. Then sprinkle with baking soda and allow to soak for one half hour. One it has soaked it will or should be partially or mostly dry.
Lightly dampen again and place a few drops of dish washing detergent in a table spoon and add a little water. Place this on the stain and blot dry with a white cotton cloth. Allow to dry and vacuum. If it does not completely remove the stain and repeat the process up to 5 times.
If it is not removed within 5 times then use a spot or stain remover. Spray the stain remover on the stain and let it soak for 10 minuets and then spray again. Then follow the directions on the stain remover.
Removing dried materials like gum or peanut butter requires that you first place ice on it to make it brittle. Once this is accomplished, vacuum the area and then follow the steps above to remove the final parts of the stain.
Both Matthew Meyer & Jim Corkern are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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