Spill Clean Up Tips

Spill Clean Up Tips

When you install carpet in your home, you will almost certainly find yourself hoarding carpet stain removers, calculating how many hours to devote to carpet cleaning, or trying to figure out how to remove stubborn spills or smudges.

Regardless of the spill, the process of cleaning up carpet stains is essentially the same. Luckily for you, it is pretty easy to get rid of stubborn stains from your carpet. If you follow the three simple steps outlined below, your carpet will be as good as new without the need for a professional DFW carpet steam cleaning service provider.

How to Get Spills Out of Carpet?

You worked so hard to remind guests to take their shoes off and to avoid bringing food into your carpeted areas in the hopes that no mishaps or carpet stains would occur. But, let’s face it, it is bound to happen sooner or later: a coffee spill or your beloved pet who could not hold it any longer can compromise the beauty of your carpet in an instant.

Before you grab the nearest bottle of stain remover, keep in mind that water is the most effective carpet cleaning solution. Blot the stain with a clean, slightly damp white cloth—do not rub. If water does not do the job well, you can try an over-the-counter carpet stain remover or a DIY stain removal option. The most effective carpet stain remover will be one tailored to the cause of the stain.

Follow these three steps to learn how to clean carpet stains.

• Grab a spoon or a butter knife and scrape off any excess solid as quickly as possible. Doing so will prevent your cleanable mishap from becoming a permanent stain. To keep the spill from spreading, gently blot away excess liquid with a clean, white, absorbent cloth, working from the spill’s outer perimeter into its center. Blot rather than rub, as rubbing can permanently damage carpet fibers. Repeat until the cloth can no longer pick up any more color.
• Use a carpet stain remover to remove any residual spots. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on the back of the bottle for the best application. You can also use a vinegar solution to clean the carpet. To make a DIY carpet stain remover, mix one teaspoon mild dishwashing liquid and 1/4 teaspoon white vinegar in 1 quart of warm water, then apply to the spot. Whatever carpet cleaning solution you use, be careful not to over-wet the stain since this can damage the backing. Let your homemade solution sit on the carpet for at least 10 minutes.
• Blot from the outside in with a clean, white, absorbent cloth. Repeat until the stain does not transfer to the cloth any longer. Blot dry after rinsing with cold water. Try this trick for thorough drying: Spread a 1/2-inch layer of cloth or paper towels around the damp area. Hold the cloth or towel down with a heavy object and replace paper towels as needed until dry.

How to Clean Most Common Carpet Stains

• Wine or juice: Whether you spill red wine, white wine, fruit juice, or any colorful beverage, start by dousing the stain with club soda. Using a clean microfiber cloth, blot the area. Repeat till you can no longer see the stain.
• Chocolate: Scrape away as much chocolate as you can with a dull knife. Has the chocolate melted? Place an ice cube-filled resealable plastic bag over the stain to harden the chocolate and then scrape away. Vacuum the area to remove any loose flakes or fragments. Combine 1/4 teaspoon liquid dish soap or dishwashing liquid with one cup of warm water. Apply the solution to the stain with a clean cloth, working from the outside toward the center. Allow the solution to sit for at least five minutes before blotting the stain away.
• Candle wax: Apply an ice pack to the candle wax to harden it. Gently break up the wax before vacuuming it all up. Blot the spot dry after cleaning it with a dry-solvent carpet cleaner. Blot-dry the area again after dabbing it with a warm, damp cloth.
• Coffee or tea: Combine 2 tbsp hydrogen peroxide and 1 tbsp dish soap. First, blot the spill, then apply the solution. Allow your homemade solution to sit for a few seconds before gently working the solution in with your fingers. Rinse with water, blot, and repeat until the stain is gone.
• Dirt: Allow the dirt or mud to dry before applying the homemade cleaner. Before vacuuming, scrape away as much residue as possible. Allow the detergent solution as mentioned above to sit for at least 10 minutes before blotting out the stain.
• Blood: Blot with a clean cloth after applying cold water or club soda. Repeat till the stain is removed.
• Fat-based stains (butter, margarine, gravy, etc.): Baking soda can be used as a carpet cleaning solution to remove greasy stains. After sprinkling the stain with baking soda, allow it to sit for at least six hours. Vacuum and then blot the stain with a rubbing alcohol-soaked cloth. You can also use a dry-solvent spot carpet cleaner by following the instructions on the label.
• Gum: Remove as much gum as you can with your fingers. Place a resealable plastic bag of ice cubes over the leftover gum to harden it. Remove the hardened gum using a spoon or a dull knife. Vacuum and remove any residual stains with a dry-solvent carpet cleaner, following the manufacturer’s directions on the label.
• Urine: Use an enzymatic cleaner, which is available in pet stores, co-ops, and other natural retailers.

If any of the above-mentioned techniques fail to meet your expectations, engage a reliable, professional carpet cleaning company in Frisco, TX, like NuWay Carpet Dyeing & Repair to help you remove any carpet spills and stains. Our staff is highly skilled at conquering carpet spills and stains caused by any substance or entity.

To learn more about our carpet repair services, please contact us today.