Removing Carpet Marks and Stains
Paint, coffee, wine, or juice – regardless of the type of stain, it seems like carpets are magnets for mess. And, depending on the type of stain, different techniques are recommended for removal. While there are some basic carpet cleaning truths that should be employed (i.e. blot stains and rinse thoroughly with clean water, and never scrub carpets as you may damage carpet fibres), specific stains will be cleaned using different tools or techniques. In this article, Saskatoon Carpet Cleaning will discuss water-soluble stains, fats and oils, and regular maintenance to keep your carpets looking their best.
Water-Soluble Stains
- Alcohol
- Berries
- Cola
- Feces
- Dye
- Gravy
- Mud
- Milk
- Wet or Latex Paint
Examples of water-soluble stains are:
What you'll do:
For these types of stains, start with a cleaning solution of ¼ teaspoon of white vinegar with 32 ounces of water. Carefully blot the stain until it lifts and rinse with clean water. Dry the spot working from the outside toward the middle
Some water-soluble stains will not clean easily with this method. Such stains include blood, chocolate, coffee, mustard, tea, vomit, and wine. For these stains, mix 1 tablespoon of ammonia with 1 cup of water (except if you are cleaning wool or wool-blend carpet, please call us). If this cleaning solution fails, contact us for further advice.
Oil and Wax Stains
When it comes to oil and wax stains, simply place a paper towel over the spot and use a clothes iron on warm setting. This should lift the stain into the paper towel for easy removal.
Glue
To remove glue, lightly moisten a cotton ball or cloth with rubbing alcohol and gently press it against the stain. As the glue becomes moistened, you should be able to wipe it off. Repeat this process until the glue stain is removed completely.
Wax and Gum
Another technique for wax that also works well for gum is to use an ice cube to freeze the wax or gum, and then break it up with a large, hard object. Before the stain can soften again, vacuum it away.
If you are still having problems, you might consider calling a professional carpet cleaner at Saskatoon Carpet Cleaning.
How to Remove Lipstick Stains from Carpet
Spills and stains occur. Often times we face unusual cases of stains we never expected. Lipstick can somehow make it to our carpet and removing it may be a challenge. There are a few steps you can follow to get rid of a lipstick stain.
What you’ll need:
- Cloth
- Spot Remover
- Dry Cleaning Solvent
- Ammonia
- Water
- White Vinegar
What you’ll do:
- Apply some dry cleaning solvent to the cloth and rub the stain.
- Apply some spot remover then dry as much of it as possible.
- Let it dry and then check if it’s been removed.
- Let it sit then apply some water to the stain.
- Create a mixture of spotter with ammonia and apply to the stain.
- Blot the area then flush with water. If the stain still exists move to the next step.
- Mix some white vinegar with the wet spotter and apply.
- Flush with water and let it dry.
It’s always important to deal with stains as quickly as possible!
What to be mindful of:
- Don’t use ammonia on silk or wool.
- If the stain spreads at any point, flush immediately with dry cleaning solvent.
- If you are still having problems, you might consider calling a professional carpet cleaner at Saskatoon Carpet Cleaning.
How to Remove Tomato Juice or Sauce Stains
A tomato stain may occur while eating spaghetti or drinking a Caesar. There are steps that could be followed to get rid of the stain. The most important thing to do is dealing with the stain as soon as possible.
What you’ll need:
- Sponge
- Lemon slices or juice
- Stain remover
- Cleaning pads
- Towels
What you’ll do:
- Sponge the area with water then sponge it with lemon juice or place some lemon slices on it. Remember to apply light strokes moving from the center of the stain.
- Flush with water then blot until you’re unable to blot any more liquid.
- Let it dry and then check if it’s been removed.
If it hasn’t been removed, move on to the next set of steps.
- Apply wet spotter then cover the stain with a pad that has wet spotter on it and let it sit till as much of the stain as possible has been removed.
- Change the pad to ensure the removal of as much of the stain as possible.
- Keep applying wet spotter to the pad and use your discretion.
- Repeat till none of the stain is left then flush thoroughly and let it dry.
If you are still having problems, you might consider calling a professional carpet cleaner at Saskatoon Carpet Cleaning.
How to Remove Rust Stains from Carpets
Rust stains are tough to handle. It is possible to remove them using simple household items that are quite available. It’s important to tackle the stain as soon as it’s found.
What you’ll need:
- Dish soap
- White Towels
- Paper towels
- Citrus fruit juice
- Dull Tool (e.g. scraper)
- Spray Bottle
What you’ll do:
- Scrape off as much of the stain as possible using the scraper or any handy tool you may have.
- Soak the stain with citrus juice using the spray bottle (You can use bottled or freshly squeezed lemon or orange juice). Let it sit for 5-10 minutes.
- Blot with paper towel. Avoid scrubbing as it causes the stain to spread. If steps 1-3 don’t work move on to step 4.
- Create a solution of 1/3 tsp of dish soap with a liter of water.
- Apply the dish soap solution using a wet white towel.
- Blot the detergent and then spray the area with clean water.
- Let the area dry and finish with vacuuming.
If you are still having problems, you might consider calling a professional carpet cleaner at Saskatoon Carpet Cleaning.
How to Remove Water Stains from Carpet
One may think that water isn’t something to worry about staining a carpet. Unfortunately, sometimes water may not be pure and that causes it to leave a stain behind. It is important to blot as much liquid as possible of the stain immediately after it occurs. Fortunately, It’s easy to clean those stains with a few small steps and using household items.
What you’ll need:
- White Towel
- White Vinegar
- Clean Water
What you’ll do:
- Make a solution of 1 part water and 1 part vinegar.
- Dip a white towel in the solution.
- Gently rub the stain to wet the tips of the carpet fibres. Do not get it soaking wet. Let it dry.
- Apply the solution again if the stain isn’t removed it. Repeat if needed.