Carpet stains are a frustrating fact of life when you have carpeted floors. Almost everything seems as though it can leave a mark, which makes navigating daily tasks nothing short of stressful. If you have pets or small children, the risk is especially present. Despite your best efforts, you will come across a stain at some point. But when you do, there’s no need to fell defeated!
There are many ways to deal with carpet stains. Different approaches suit different types of stains. So, whether it is a coffee stain, wine stain, dirt stain, or grease stain, there is a solution out there for you. To give yourself the best chance at success, keep your carpet in good condition. That will make the following four stain removal tips even easier.
Your first instinct might be to rub the stain: try dabbing it instead
When your elbow catches that nice glass of red as you reach over the table, your first instinct is probably to attack the stain with paper towel. This is not an inherently bad idea, but there is a right way and wrong way to go about it. Everyone is probably guilty of furiously rubbing at a fresh stain with some paper towel or a sponge. As you rub harder, you have probably noticed that the stain sets in. From there, your options are limited.
There are two reasons that this might happen. Firstly, carpet is absorbent, so liquid spills will inevitably soak into your carpet to some degree. But the second reason is your rubbing. Rubbing the stain actually, causes it to soak in quicker. It can also spread the liquid around and enlarge the stain. If you dab at it gently, instead of rubbing furiously, you will soak up more of the liquid with the paper towel. This will contain the spill more effectively and make it easier to address with other techniques.
Detergents are your best option against grease
Grease stains are a particularly robust enemy. Few cleaning products can effectively break through that greasy layer and you can rub it without making it worse. So you will need to think strategically. The best product for slicing through grease is always going to be dish detergent. After all, it is designed to clean crockery that has held the source of your stain. The good thing about detergent is that you don’t need much of it; detergent is pretty capable when it comes to cleaning grease. Simply mix a few drops into a cup of hot water and apply it to the stain. Let sit briefly, and then dab it with a paper towel. Repeat this process until you start seeing results.
Blood stains are no match for hydrogen peroxide
Blood can be very hard to get out of a carpet, which is a double sting if you accidentally cut yourself. But there is one product that will be of great assistance: hydrogen peroxide. This is mostly used as an antiseptic, but it is also great at removing bloodstains. Simply remove as much blood as possible by dabbing it with a paper towel. Then, apply a mild hydrogen peroxide solution to the remaining stain. This should loosen it enough for you to dab it clean with a sponge.
Don’t underestimate the power of regular steam cleaning
Keeping your carpet in good condition is the best way to avoid unsightly stains. Clean, well-conditioned carpet is not as receptive to stains, which means it’s easier for you to clean any that might arise. In addition to this, steam cleaning can remove the last remnants of any stubborn stains that didn’t respond completely to any of the tips listed above.
Do you have carpet stains in your home? Contact the experts at Ashmore Carpets today on (07) 5526 8611.
