The most important thing to know about how to clean and remove carpet stains is to clean the spill as soon as it happens. Try not to allow the stain to set into the carpet as this will make it harder to remove completely. There are several ways you can go about cleaning and removing carpet stains. There are home remedies, store bought spot cleaners, and spot cleaning machines.
The first thing to try when it comes to cleaning a spill or stain is to remove any liquid that is remaining by blotting with a clean rag. Then pour lukewarm water over the spill and begin blotting from the outside in to prevent spreading the stain. Once you have absorbed all of the water into a clean rag, check to see if there is any part of the stain remaining. If the stain is fairly new, water may be all you need to use. But if the stain is still there, you can mix cup of mild detergent (dish soap or laundry detergent) and 1 cup of warm water. Pour this mixture over the stain and allow setting for about 5 minutes. Then with a clean rag, blot from the outside in; rinse with clean warm water and place a clean rag on top and place a heavy object over it. Allow to set overnight and check it in the morning, the area should be dry and free of the stain. Vacuum the area to refresh the carpet fibers back to their natural position.
There are several other home remedies, all depending on the type of stain you are dealing with. Some other household cleaners that can be used on various stains are; ammonia which is good for pet stains, white vinegar which is good to use on acidic stains, and baking soda which is good for stains that have a bad odor. Be careful to never mix cleaning solutions without reading the warning labels. Mixing the wrong chemicals can result in a harmful reaction, such as bleach and ammonia.
There are several options for store bought spot removers. Each major manufacture of carpet cleaning machines offers a complete line of spot remove. Be sure to check and see if that particular cleaner is right for the type of stain you need to remove. The first step with this type of cleaner is the same as using a home remedy, blot up as much of the spill as you can. Then spray the spot remover on the stain and allow setting for the allotted time. Be sure not to scrub the area as this will damage the carpet fibers, instead use a circular motion, rotating between clockwise and counter clockwise. This is just as effective in removing the stain and will not damage the carpet. It is still important to rinse the area with warm water even if the directions do not say to. You do not want to leave the chemicals in the carpet. Just rinse with warm water and blot until it is dry.
Fairly new to the market is the spot removing machines. These are small and compact carpet cleaners that are designed to clean one area of the carpet at a time. Most use a mixture of carpet shampoo and hot water. Just fill the tank with the proper mixture and place on the stain and turn the machine on. The machine is equipped with scrubbing brushes and its own timer for the release of the cleaning solution. Once it has completed its cycle the machine will turn itself off. This machine is designed to do the cleaning on its own and does not need an operator to trigger the various cleaning stages. This type of machine can come in handy to use in conjunction with a full size carpet cleaner to keep the carpet looking clean and fresh between cleanings.
So now that you know how to clean and remove carpet stains, you should be able to tackle just about any type of carpet cleaning you may need. But sometimes the stain is just too stubborn for you to clean on your own and you may have to call in a professional to take care of it for you. If you are uncertain, or afraid that you may damage the carpet, then it is recommended to hire a professional to clean it for you.
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