One of the most dreaded post-party expenses is probably the bill for cleaning carpet stain. Tell-tale signs of the party lingers the most on the carpet because it’s the last to be cleaned and not the easiest one at that. However, sending it to the cleaners may not be at all necessary if you know how to remove it yourself with simple cleaning solutions available right in your own home. Yes, a do-it-yourself simple steps and no additional cost.
Begin with the first aid:
• Blot not rub: Remove liquid spills first by using clean white cloth or white paper towels without any print. Blot the spot until almost dry. Rinse the cloth with warm water and blot the spot again. Don’t rub or scrub the area as the stain might get wider and deeper. With another clean dry white cloth, blot the spot again until dry. Repeat the process if necessary to remove as much stain as you can.
• Scrape and blot: For any semi-solid spills on the carpet, it is best to scrape it off first before applying the blot process above. Semi-solid spills are even harder to remove when dried up.
If you are unsure on how to get stains out of your carpet, always try the ever-dependable water first. If the stain cannot be taken out by simple blot-and-dry process, you can try the vacuum cleaner. A strong vacuum cleans the carpet more deeply than a piece of cloth.
However, stains can be a little more persistent than that so you might want to try cleaning solvents for cleaning carpet stains. Before you apply any cleaning aid or solution, it is best to know the type of your carpet first. Is it synthetic fiber or made of natural fiber? A different process for cleaning carpet stains may apply depending on the type of carpet as well as the kind of spills on the carpet.
For synthetic fiber carpets:
You can use a detergent solution and a vinegar solution. First, you dip the clean white cloth to the detergent solution and dab it repeatedly to the carpet stain by pressing the cloth to the spot for a few seconds every time. Wait a few minutes for the detergent solution to break down the stain and then blot dry the soaked up spot with another clean dry white cloth.
Next is to dip a cloth into the vinegar solution and dab it repeatedly to the same spot for a few seconds. Wait a few minutes for the vinegar solution to remove the residual detergent. Then rinse the spot by blotting using a clean white cloth soaked in warm water. Do the blotting repeatedly until the stain lightens or is removed. Then blot dry using another clean dry cloth.
For natural fiber carpets:
Instead of dipping and dabbing, you can spray on the spot. You can use a detergent solution and vinegar solution alternately with lukewarm water when removing the stain. Just like the process with the synthetic fiber carpets.
Another tip for blotting soaked spot is to work from the outside towards the center. That way the soaked area and the stain will not spread out. Always remember that the best way to prevent carpet stains is to act fast and remove the spills as soon as possible. The longer you delay, the deeper the stain will get and the harder to remove it. Most carpets in the market today come with stain-resistant treatments. This way spills can be removed easily if you act on it right away.
Cleaning the carpets in your own may not be that easy but it lessens your expenses sending it to the cleaners. Great article.