If you are dealing with tricky stains on your carpet, vacuuming just won’t cut it and you will need to take further steps to keep your carpet looking fresh and vibrant.
By following this step-by-step guide, you will be able to remove almost all stains with a minimum of fuss, keeping you carpet looking brand-new for many years to come.
Whatever stain you are dealing with from red wine to chewing gum, you can rest assured that many others are in a similar situation and there is a proven cleaning solution that will be effective in tackling it or Acorn Sofa Cleaning is the best option.
Follow these 5 steps to clean your carpet in the most effective way possible:
1. Create an effective homemade cleaning solution
Most stains can easily be tackled using ingredients that can be found around the home.
The first thing to do when faced with an everyday stain is to fill two separate spray bottles with cold water and a mix of a warm water and ¼ teaspoon of dishwashing liquid.
2. Apply the carpet cleaner
Take a clean absorbent cloth, spray your mix of detergent and warm water onto it and gently begin to dab away at the affected area.
You should never apply the solution directly to the carpet itself as this can lead to the surface becoming too moist and should avoid rubbing at the stain as this will only make the problem worst by embedding the residue deeper into the fibres.
3. Apply cold water
Once the stain has been removed by dabbing the spot with your detergent, take your other spray bottle and repeat the process.
Spray a clean cloth with cold water and use it to wash out the detergent from the carpet.
4. Dry off
Leaving a carpet damp for too long can lead to mould growth, damaged backing, and nasty odours so it is important to dry your carpet as quickly as possible after cleaning.
Do not be tempted to use a hairdryer or other heat drying method, however, as this could cause damage to the carpet fibres.
Instead, take a dry cloth and blot away at the area to remove excess moisture before placing a thick layer of paper towels on the wet patch of carpet.
Weigh the towels down using a heavy pot and leave overnight in order to soak up any residual stain deep within the carpet itself.
5. Use a targeted approach
This is a standard stain removal method that will work on the vast majority of common home carpet stains.
If you have followed all these steps and the stain, you are tacking remains evident it is time to use a more targeted approach specific to the stain type you’re dealing with.
How to remove common carpet stains
Here are a few key tips on the best way to remove signs of some of the more troublesome stains commonly faced by carpet owners.
How to tackle coffee stains
As with any stain, the first thing to do after spilling coffee on your carpet is to blot up as much as possible of the residue.
After that combine ¼ teaspoon of dish soap, a tablespoon of white vinegar, and 250ml of warm water to create an effective coffee stain remover.
Apply the solution using a clean white cloth by gently sponging the spot until the stain completely vanishes.
How to tackle Red Wine stains
The wort fear of carpet owners, red wine spills can be a nightmare if not tackled quickly using an effective cleaning method.
There are multiple methods that can be used to remove red wine stains but the most effective involve using just a few common store cupboard ingredients.
The most effective of these is salt, a prolific moisture absorber that will extract wine from the carpet fibres in an extremely efficient manner.
Cover the affected area with a layer of salt, ensuring that the entire stain has been covered, and give it plenty of time to soak up the wet wine and dry.
Once the salt has dried and as much of the wine as possible has been extracted, vacuum the carpet, and all signs of the stain should hopefully have been eradicated.
How to tackle pet related stains
Pets are a beloved part of your family, but the stains left by their urine and poop? Not so much.
The worst part about pet stains is the odours that can become embedded within the carpet, as even if you have managed to remove all the visible signs of a stain the lingering smell may remain.
To ensure that you are eradicating both the visible and invisible aspects of a pet related stain you should always use a carpet cleaner that contains enzymes that will destroy odour causing bacteria.