A Guide To Cleaning Carpet Stains

How to Tackle Carpet Spots & Stains

A 2-Step Solution

It's never been easier to treat spots and stains with today's stain resistant carpet. Although no carpet is stain-proof, it is possible to quickly use the right solution to eliminate spots.

Step 1: Blot up the Spill

• Blot liquids using a clean microfibre cloth, or any other white cloth or towel, do not use paper towels or coloured cloths. You may get ink or dye transferred to damp carpet if you use a colored fabric and paper towels will disintegrate and create more mess. Continue to make sure the area is not completely damp. Semisolids such as food spills may need to be picked up using a spoon or any dull tool like a spatula. You can vacuum solid, dried bits.
• Do not use a brush and do not scrub or rub the carpet. This can cause damage to the carpet fibers, the fibers of a carpet or rug are more fragile when they are wet. Carpet can be damaged by scrubbing and bristles, and it is easy to distort carpet fibers when they are wet and this will cause texture changes, such as matting that cannot be rectified.
• Hot water can cause some stains to worsen, so it is best not to use hot water.
  
  

Step 2: Treat the Stains or Spots

• You should use a carpet stain-specific cleaning product. Even though these products have been lab tested, it is still important to test any cleaner on a small area of carpet or a hidden part of the carpet.
• Do not use any product that has the oxi-, oxy- or oxy- name or as an ingredient. These products may contain bleaching agents that can cause carpet or rug to become discolored. Always test the carpet in a concealed area.
• Be sure to follow the directions. Do not use concentrated products. Dilute the cleaning solution and use a little of this on a clean microfibre cloth to clean the area. Work in the middle, working your way around the edges. Blot, don't scrub. This may take several attempts to get rid of the spot. Spray the area lightly with water using a trigger spray. Blot the area with a clean towel and repeat the process once more to get rid of any product.

Always clean a stain with water as the starting point, using a trigger spray set to the finest spray to control the moisture. Blotting the stain often will help to remove most of it.

Water-soluble stains such as red fruits, berries and fizzy drinks can be removed by gently wiping the area with two pints water mixed with one quarter of a teaspoon white vinegar. Unless your carpet is wool, it is recommended to use a large spoonfull of ammonia with one cup water to remove stubborn stains such as blood, wine, and coffee. If the carpet is made of wool or a blend of wool, you should NOT use ammonia. Instead, use water or a dilute carpet cleaner. You can try covering the area with polythene, or a damp towel until the stain is gone.