Carpet Cleaning Advice

by HomeRepairExpert.com

Carpet cleaning tips
Carpets have become one of the most common ways to cover a floor. Keeping your carpets clean to retain the original color is not difficult if you care for them properly. Most people keep their carpets clean by using commercial stain guard products. Some people opt for carpets with stain guard on them when buying their carpets. However, there are many ways to remove spots if you don't have stain guard on your carpet, but first you must test any solution in an unnoticeable area to prevent any damage.

Function

According to How to Remove Carpet Stains, it's never a good idea to rub a stain on a carpet, by rubbing it you could spread the stain forcing it deeper into the carpet, damaging the fibers. The proper way is to gently work the solution into the stain and blot until it vanishes. If possible, test the solution in extra swatches of the carpet or in an inconspicuous area to make sure that the solution won't fade, or further damage your carpet. If you are dealing with pet urine stains, refrain from using stain removers containing ammonia. Pet urine already has ammonia, which could lead your pet to urinate on that area again. It's recommended that you read your carpet's manufacturer warnings and suggestions, as well as the label on the commercial cleaning solution you are using.

Time Frame

Removing carpet stains as soon as you notice them is crucial. How to Remove Carpet Stains comments that for fresh pet stains, you need to blot and cover the spot with salt to better absorb the urine. Let the salt sit overnight and vacuum once the salt has hardened. For food stains, How to Remove Carpet Stains suggests to pick up all the food pieces and use paper towels to blot any liquids. You can pour club soda on the affected area to loosen the stain and blot it with the paper towels. If the club soda doesn't fade the stain, pour 3 percent hydrogen peroxide on a white cloth and apply it to the affected area (first test in an unnoticeable area). Once the peroxide is applied let it sit for no longer than 15 minutes. Rinse with club soda and blot it with paper towels. For faster results you can use a blow dryer on the affected area.

Types

For beer and alcohol spills, apply club soda immediately and rinse the beer or alcohol stains with lukewarm water. To neutralize the red wine chemicals on red wine spills, pour white wine on top and apply lukewarm water and mild detergent without soap with a sponge right away. Grease and oil stains can be removed by blotting up the stain as much as possible and then sprinkling on some cornstarch. Let the cornstarch sit overnight and then vacuum. Also, apply a tablespoon of foam shaving cream on the affected area, let it dry and finish by vacuuming.

Prevention/Solution

If you want to remove set-in stains, Fabric Link mentions many solutions. You can add vodka on a stain using a washcloth, wait one minute after you have worked it in and then blot it with paper towels. Baby wipes can also help clean certain stains on your carpet. You can also create a homemade solution using 1 tablespoon of liquid laundry detergent, 1 1/2 tablespoons of distilled white vinegar and 2 cups of water. Apply this solution to the stain and blot it dry. If you want a commercial solution, products such as Resolve or Woolite specially made for carpet stains may also work.

Expert Insight

The Carpet and Rug Institute advisces the following: dip a white cloth into 1/4 tablespoon of Dawn dish-washing liquid mixed with 1 cup of lukewarm water, or dip the cloth into a solution made of 2 cups of water and 1 cup of white vinegar. Work from the edges to the center of the affected area to keep it from spreading, and blot until the stain is gone. This is the most efficient method to clean a stain thoroughly. Ultimately, professional steam cleaning twice a year can keep your carpet looking clean and stain free.


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