TOP 5 STAINS
- Kool-Aid
We can already see it now- a sticky, red sugary drink trying to be dabbed up with a towel… and then a faint red blob left behind to be covered by a couch or table. But it’s still there. Here’s how you can try and kick that stain to the curb:
- Blot the area first with a clean towel, but make sure not to scrub. This can ruin your carpet fibers.
- Mix 1/4 cup of white vinegar, 1 tbsp. of dish soap, and water in a spray bottle. Spray the area liberally and let soak for 5-10 minutes and then blot again with a clean, dry towel until stain is removed. Don’t over soak the area because that can cause the stain to spread to other areas of the carpet!
- Once the stain is no longer visible, apply cold water directly to the area to rinse the carpet.
- Blot up any remaining moisture and avoid stepping on the affected area until the carpet is dry.
- Pet Stains
Pet stains are just part of being a pet parent. We love them and no matter how much we don’t like cleaning up after them, we do it anyway.
- Clean up the initial mess. If it’s wet, blot up any moisture without smearing or rubbing. Blot repeatedly until the carpet is almost dry to the touch.
- Mix a solution of 2 cups of warm water, 1 tablespoon of salt, 1 tablespoon of liquid dish soap, and 1/2 cup of vinegar. Dip a soft cloth or sponge into the mixture and apply to the soiled area. Blot lightly. You may need to do this a couple of times to remove a tough stain.
- To neutralize odor, try using white vinegar (you may also substitute white vinegar for white wine). Mix 1/4 cup of vinegar with a quart of warm water and spritz on the stain. Allow the vinegar spray to soak for several minutes and then proceed to blot until dry to the touch.
- Another method is to mix a quart of water with a stain-fighting laundry detergent in a spray bottle, then spray it on the spot. Allow this mixture to soak for a few minutes, then blot, rinse with warm water, and repeat as necessary.
- Skip steps 2-4 and just call us 🙂
- Coffee
There’s nothing worse than spilling coffee when you’re already late for work or dropping off the kids at school. Aside from trying to get it out of your shirt, try this tip for your carpet:
- Blot up as much of the coffee as you can.
- Mix 1/2 tsp of liquid dish soap and 1/2 tsp of white vinegar, and 2 cups of warm water.
- Using a clean, white cloth, sponge the stain with the mixture. Apply a little bit at a time, blotting frequently with a dry cloth until the stain disappears.
- Blood
However it got there, blood is a pain to remove from carpet. You can try using hydrogen peroxide but if you don’t have any in the house there are other alternatives, too!
- Test hydrogen peroxide in a hidden spot first to make sure it doesn’t change the color of the carpet.
- If you don’t notice any color changes, dip a cotton swab in hydrogen peroxide and apply it carefully to the stain.
- Rinse with a wet cloth and air dry.
