Carpets are warm, soft landings for our feet. But the downside is that they collect dirt and debris from our shoes, kids, pets, and everyday life. Spots on your carpet can be distressing, distracting, and annoying but they don’t have to be. There are ways to keep your carpet looking beautiful despite daily foot traffic and the occasional spill. Once you have the right information on how to remove carpet stains, you’ll be able to tackle them head-on without panic.
First of all, every type of stain, whether red wine or mud, should be treated as soon as possible. The faster you remove stains from carpet, the less time they have to settle in and bond with the fibers. So as soon as you see a stain, jump into action with these cleaning pro tips:
1. Blot, Don’t Rub
When liquid gets spilled on your carpet, quickly grab a plain white paper towel or white rag. It should not have any writing or designs because you don’t want to run the risk of dye transferring to the carpet, which will make things worse. Blot the stains instead of scrubbing or rubbing, as those actions could fray the fibers and change the carpet’s appearance. Blot up as much liquid as possible, working from the outside of the spill to the middle to prevent it from spreading. Once the liquid is absorbed, pour a little bit of cold water on the area, and blot it to dilute it. Hot water is not advised because it can cause the stain to set into the fibers.
2. Use Baking Soda, Vinegar, and Peroxide for Extra Help
A tried-and-true cleaning trick is to use baking soda for carpet stains. Baking soda is an excellent cleaning agent because its abrasive nature helps remove dirt and stains. Hydrogen peroxide is also effective, as it helps kill bacteria and mold. And white vinegar is also great for eliminating odors and loosening food stains. These natural cleaning agents are inexpensive and can work wonders on removing stains from your carpet.
You can make a baking soda and hydrogen peroxide solution by mixing one cup of baking soda with two cups of hydrogen peroxide. Apply the solution to your carpet, and blot it with a clean white towel (remember, use one with no print or writing). Let the solution sit for 30 minutes before rinsing it with water.
To remove stains with vinegar, mix it with an equal amount of water in a bottle, then spray the solution onto the stain. Dab it off with a white cloth or paper towel. Don’t worry if your house smells like vinegar; it will go away in a short amount of time.
3. Grab the Club Soda
When people talk about how to remove carpet stains, club soda is frequently recommended. Using club soda after a spill does work well to lift the stain from the carpet. Start by blotting out as much of the spill as you can. Then pour the club soda directly onto the stain, being cautious not to oversaturate the area. Allow the soda to sit on the stain for at least five minutes before blotting it off. Rinse the stained area with a cloth soaked in water and allow the carpet to air dry.
4. Dab with Shaving Gel
Shaving gel does a surprisingly good job of lifting food and grease stains from carpet. Put a dab of shaving gel on the stain, let it sit for several minutes, and blot it away. The soapy, foamy consistency works wonders when it comes to removing stains from carpet fibers. So, don’t hesitate to try this little-known carpet cleaning hack.
Keep Carpets Clean in Your Home
As you can see, removing stains from carpet is not as overwhelming as you might think. And maintaining clean carpets is easy if you keep up with regular care. Vacuum your carpets at least twice a week, using slow, repetitive strokes. On average, it takes about 15 minutes to clean 300 square feet of carpet.
If you want to keep your carpets looking great for many years, you should have them professionally cleaned at least once a year. Steam cleaning penetrates deep into the carpet fibers to lift dirt and other pollutants.
Whether you’d like a one-time cleaning or a weekly recurring cleaning plan, our custom cleaning plans are designed to work around your schedule and budget. Contact your local Molly Maid – 615-794-0200 or 615-603-3766, today to discuss a cleaning plan that’s right for you. https://www.mollymaid.com/s-davidson-williamson-maury-counties/about-us/contact-us/
Ashley Farrar
MS. MOLLY FOUNDATION
A portion of Molly Maid’s sales support victims of domestic violence in the communities we serve. To date, Ms. Molly has proudly raised more than $3 million – and we are not slowing down! This non-profit organization aims to increase public awareness of domestic violence and to provide victims with support. We believe everyone deserves to feel safe in their homes. The Ms. Molly Foundation strives to empower communities to end the cycle of violence in the home. It’s our goal to help give victims of domestic violence a second chance at happiness
