Tips for Getting Stains Out of Your Carpet

By Maid Brigade of Northern CT

We’ve all dropped something on the carpet and immediately worried about it staining.

Luckily, there are a few ways to get whatever it is out before it becomes a problem.

The first thing you’ll want to do is remove the excess quickly. If it is a solid, scrape off the extra with a spoon or butter knife.

For a liquid accident, gently blot away the excess with a clean, absorbent cloth, working from the outside edge of the stain toward the center. You will want to blot, not rub, so you don’t damage the carpet fibers. Continue this process until the cloth no longer picks up any color.

Next you’ll want to apply a cleaning agent. You can use a store-bought formula or a homemade solution of dishwashing liquid, warm water, and white vinegar. Make sure when you are applying the cleaning solution, you don’t over-wet the stain. This can damage the backing. Let it sit for 10 minutes.

From there, blot the stain away. Once again using a clean, absorbent cloth, blot from the outside in. Continue doing this until the color no longer transfers to the cloth. Then, blot it with cold water and blot it dry.

Here are some tips for certain types of stains.

For fat-based stains, use a dry-solvent spot carpet cleaner. Follow the label instructions.

For gum, peel away as much gum as you can. Harden the remaining gum by placing a resealable plastic bag of ice cubes over it. Then chip the gum away with a spoon or dull knife. Next, vacuum over it. Clean any lingering stain with a dry-solvent carpet cleaner, following the label instructions.

For urine, apply an enzymatic cleaner, available at pet supply stores or co-ops and other natural retailers.

For wine or juice, spritz with club soda and then blot it with a clean cloth. Repeat until the stain is gone.

Still need some help? Give Maid Brigade of Northern Connecticut a call at 860-645-6243 and we can help you out.