Get Those Carpet Stains Out: Greatest Nontoxic Procedures for Spot Cleaning

Get Those Carpet Stains Out: Greatest Nontoxic Procedures for Spot Cleaning

Carpets and rugs are comfortable underfoot, but they’re also magnets for stains. From holiday parties to everyday use, rugs and carpets often take a lot of abuse.

But keeping your floor coverings looking their best is simpler than you might think. A straightforward detergent solvent made with 1/4 cup white vinegar, 1 teaspoon dish soap and warm water in a spray bottle can eliminate many family stains.

Caution: Before you handle any stain on your carpet, always check the cleaning solution on a garbage or inconspicuous area for colorfastness. Do not forget to read the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions for both artificial and natural-fiber carpeting. In case you have a classic or delicate rug, consult an expert carpet cleaner prior to attempting any DIY methods.

Debbie Basnett, Vintage Scout Interiors

Food and Drink

Clumsy eaters and drinkers can make a mess of your carpets. Make stains vanish with these basic methods:several food and beverage stains can be eliminated with the above-mentioned detergent dyes. Spray it liberally onto the stain, blot and wash with warm water until the stain was removed.To remove wine stains, begin by blotting the stain instantly. For very light-colored carpets, pour hydrogen peroxide on the stain and sprinkle on a large amount of baking soda. Let it sit a few minutes, then wash it up and wash with water. Note: A three percent solution of hydrogen peroxide (that’s what’s available at most drugstores) should work on most carpets, but always check it on a small, hidden area of your carpet before cleaning a stain. Alternatively, you can also try club soda or diluted white vinegar.Remove gum by freezing it with ice cubes placed in a plastic zip bag and shattering the gum with a blunt object, then vacuum up chips. Clean the residual stain with all the detergent solvent. Hint: Never rub a stain, as that can push it deeper into the fibers; rather, blot repeatedly.

Terracotta Design Build

Antiques

Pets can become your rug’s worst enemy. Show those stains who’s boss with these approaches.

Blot the moist stain and dispose of any solid material. Apply a rug cleaner, like the detergent solvent. To eliminate any lingering scents, sprinkle the carpet with baking soda once it’s dry, let it sit 30 minutes and then vacuum.
If the stain has dried, then wet it with warm water and then proceed with the procedure above.

Hint: Always use a clean, light-colored rag. When the rag gets dirty, replace it with another clean rag to avoid spreading the stain.

Alexander Johnson Photography

Children

Playtime can be tough on carpets. Give these common children’s stains a much-needed time-out.
Crayon: Utilize the detergent solvent and blotting method to handle this waxy stain. In case the crayon is melted into the carpet, use the ice method to suspend the melted crayon, break it with a blunt object and vacuum the rug clean.
Paint or ink: Instantly blot a new paint stain until most of the paint was eliminated. Apply rubbing alcohol into a fabric and blot; repeat until the stain is gone. Rinse with warm water. Glue: Apply an acetone nail polish remover, then blot. Repeat and rinse completely when the stain was removed.
Blood: Always use cold water when seeking to remove a blood stain; warm water will cause the stain to penetrate further into the carpet, making elimination much harder. Dab the white vinegar mix (with cold water) on the stain and repeat until the stain is gone.

Artistic Designs for Living, Tineke Triggs

Dirt, Oil and Tar

Tracked-in gunk turns carpets into a filthy mess. Get them looking like new with these approaches.

• Dirt and sand: Vacuum up any loose dirt, apply the detergent solvent and blot. Repeat until the carpet is cleaned.
Oil or grease: Blot the stain to remove any surplus. Sprinkle a liberal amount of cornmeal on the stain; the cornmeal acts as an absorbent. Brush the region with a stiff-bristled brush (test first in an inconspicuous area to avoid any harm). Vacuum up the cornmeal, apply the detergent solvent and stain wash.
Tar: Blot the stain, eliminating any surplus tar. Use the detergent solvent and blot wash.

Spot cleaning carpets is not easy — it often takes multiple attempts and a lot of elbow grease. If the methods above fail you, you might need to speak to a specialist cleaner or hire a steam cleaner.

Inform us What methods do you use to combat carpet stains?

See related