Is it some kind of spill, or did your toddler or pet accidentally urinate on your beautiful carpet? You are here because some mess happened on your carpet, and now want to clean it ASAP.
Whether it’s a food/drink spill or a pet accident stain on your carpet, this article has the solution for that. Here we will be discussing how to clean stains on carpet using some simple yet effective DIY methods.
How To Clean Stains On Carpet
⇒ Remove The Excess
As a first step, remove the excess matter from your carpet. If the stain is caused by some solids like food or mud, scrape off it and remove as much as you can. While removing it, make sure not to damage the carpet fibres. Use a spoon or butter knife to lift the excessive matter without spreading it further on your carpet.
⇒ Blot The Stain
The next thing you have to do is blot the stain to soak excessive liquid. Try to soak as much liquid as you can. For a dry stain, add ¼ cup of water to the stained area and make it damp. Then start blotting it. Again, don’t rub just blot because rubbing will push the stain deeper. Use paper towels or white microfibre cloth for blotting to avoid any discoloration.
⇒ Prepare a Cleaning Solution
According to the type of stain, you can use different cleaning solutions. Here is a list of the most common stains with suitable cleaning solutions.
↳ Coffee/Tea
Add one tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide and liquid dish soap each into a spray bottle and mix it thoroughly.
↳ Dirt/Mud
Dirt and mud stains are easy to treat. Prepare a cleaning solution of warm water and mild liquid dish soap. You can add 1-2 tablespoons of white vinegar if the stain is stubborn.
↳ Blood
Don’t use warm water while treating blood stains. You can use cold water, club soda, or hydrogen peroxide to clean the blood stains.
↳ Oil/Grease Stains
Treat the oil or grease stains with baking soda or cornstarch first. Then clean them using mild dish soap or rubbing alcohol. You can also use store-bought cleaners specially designed for such stains.
↳ Juice/Wine/Other Beverages
Club soda is an effective solution for treating the stains of beverages like juice, wine, or other drinks.
↳ Urine
Urine stains contain ammonia which requires enzymatic cleaners. There are several enzymatic cleaners available in the market. You can choose a suitable one.
⇒ Apply The Cleaning Solution
Again, don’t rub the stain vigorously while applying the cleaning solution. Apply an adequate amount of suitable cleaning solution to the affected area. You can directly spray the solution or dip a clean cloth into the solution and apply it to stain. Wait 1-2 minutes for the cleaner to work on the stain. Follow the product instructions if you are using a store-bought cleaner.
⇒ Rinse The Stain
After waiting for 1-2 minutes, start blotting the stain using paper towels. Blot the excess cleaning solution along with the stain contaminants. Then rinse the stained area with an adequate amount of water and start soaking it again. Remove as much liquid as possible.
⇒ Dry The Satin
Repeat these steps as per the requirement. Once you are satisfied with the stain removal, let the area dry completely. Turn on the fan and keep the windows open for fast drying. You can also use hairdryers.
Does it require professional cleaning to remove stains?
Professional cleaning indeed is a great option if the stains on your carpet are really stubborn. You can try removing the stains with the DIY cleaning methods discussed above, but make sure you don’t end up damaging your carpet. If these methods don’t work, it’s time for you to call a professional carpet cleaner near you.
What Causes Reappearing of Stains?
When you treat carpet stains by yourself, the stain might reappear on your carpet. The major reason behind the reappearing carpet stains is improper cleaning that leaves behind residue or excess moisture.
If the residue of the cleaning solution is not removed properly, it remains unaffected and reappears on the carpet surface after drying. Apart from that, when the carpet is not dried properly after cleaning, the excess moisture attracts more dirt which causes stains.
Summing Up
Your carpet is exposed to many factors that make it stained and dull. This blog describes how to clean stains on carpet. A crucial thing that you need to consider is to treat the stain as early as possible. Any kind of delay can make your task more difficult. Moreover, some stains are really stubborn and it is better to let professionals handle them.
