Let’s face it, stains happen. Weather by yourself, pets or kids, your carpet is destined to get stained at some point. We always suggest that you call us immeidately to schedule a carpet cleaning but sometimes it’s just not practical for us to come as soon as you call. Sometimes you have to wait a few hours to a day before we can get to your home to clean your carpet. However, we do not recommend that you allow the stain to sit there without your help until we can get there because that can only make a bad situation worse. So here is an article to help you clean up that stain good enough until we can get there for you!
Carpet owners know: Not all stains are created equal. Sure, muddy footprints can be a real headache to remove, but nothing strikes fear into the heart of a homeowner like a glass of red wine tumbling to the floor or a new puppy popping a squat right on a patch of pristine plush.
Some stains are easily removed, while others require ample elbow grease and special cleaning solutions. Then there are the nightmare stains, the ones that send you down a 2am rabbit hole of Answers.com pages before you cave and just hire some professionals. (Personal experience, here.)
These are the stains that will have you tearing out not only your carpet, but also your hair.
We’ve compiled a list of the five worst carpet stains, how to best address them, and when to simply give up. It’s a messy world out there, and no carpet is safe from the grime of everyday life. Please accept our sincere commiseration.
5. Red Wine
Ah, red wine. They say a glass a day is good for the heart, but it’s definitely not good for your carpet. Whether you’re sipping alone in front of The Voice or hosting a dinner party, there’s bound to be a party foul at some point. And in all likelihood, your carpet is going to take the brunt of it.
Good Housekeeping recommends first blotting a fresh spill, then using a clean cloth to dab away the stain with either plain water or a solution of one tablespoon white vinegar, one tablespoon hand dishwashing liquid, and two cups warm water.
If you use the solution, make sure to sponge the carpet with water afterwards—no one likes a vinegar-scented floor.
Last-ditch effort: One part hand dishwashing liquid, two parts hydrogen peroxide, and a burst of manic determination. Spot test first to make sure it doesn’t bleach your carpet. Wipe it off with a damp cloth after use.
Just give up: If you bring in professionals and they can’t dislodge the stain, you’re out of luck. But unless the wine has had a long, long time to set, that shouldn’t be the case.
4. Pet Stains
We love our pets, but we don’t exactly love their… byproducts. Especially when they find their way onto our clean carpets.
Fresh pet stains are usually easy to remove. Just soak up as much liquid as possible with newspaper or towels, then wash the area with cold water and dry it again. We’d recommend following up with a store-bought cleaner or odor neutralizer. But even when this is done, some stains will require additional effort.
Avoid any removal tools that heat the carpet, as these will only set the stain. Try rewetting the area, then spraying an enzymatic cleaner (available at pet stores) on the spot. Let it sit overnight, then soak up the liquid with paper towels. It’s important to use a cleanser that will neutralize the scent if you don’t want your pet to develop an unfortunate habit.
Last-ditch effort: If the stain just won’t budge, the Humane Society suggests a wet vac may prove useful.
Still no luck? Call in the professionals; we can’t help you anymore.
3. Blood
A wound—no matter how small—is bad enough without the added stress of staining your carpet in the process. Talk about adding insult to injury!
Good Housekeeping suggests dabbing the stain with a solution of one tablespoon hand dishwashing liquid and two cups cold water. When you’re done, absorb the liquid with a dry clot. Repeat until the stain is gone.
Last-ditch effort: If you’re still not seeing results, you can dampen the remaining stain with a small amount of hydrogen peroxide. (Again, do a spot check to make sure it doesn’t lighten your carpet.) You can leave the hydrogen peroxide on the spot for up to an hour, then dab at it with a cloth. Repeat as many times as it takes.
If hydrogen peroxide doesn’t lift the stain, then maybe professional cleaners can. Blood is a tricky stain. The more blood and the longer the stain has had to clot and set, the harder the task at hand.
To read the rest of this article go to vacuums.reviewed.com. As you can see in this article, they often tell you to call a professional to clean your carpet fully and to help remove any set stains to the best of our ability. If you are currently looking to have your carpet cleaned please fill out the form below!