Carpets are warm, soft landings for our feet. But the downside is that they collect dirt and debris from our shoes, kids, pets, and everyday life. Spots on your carpet can be distressing, distracting, and annoying but they don’t have to be. There are ways to keep your carpet looking beautiful despite daily foot traffic and the occasional spill. Once you have the right information on how to remove carpet stains, you’ll be able to tackle them head-on without panic.
First of all, every type of stain, whether red wine or mud, should be treated as soon as possible. The faster you remove stains from carpet, the less time they have to settle in and bond with the fibers. So as soon as you see a stain, jump into action with these cleaning pro tips:
1. Blot, Don’t Rub
When liquid gets spilled on your carpet, quickly grab a plain white paper towel or white rag. It should not have any writing or designs because you don’t want to run the risk of dye transferring to the carpet, which will make things worse. Blot the stains instead of scrubbing or rubbing, as those actions could fray the fibers and change the carpet’s appearance. Blot up as much liquid as possible, working from the outside of the spill to the middle to prevent it from spreading. Once the liquid is absorbed, pour a little bit of cold water on the area, and blot it to dilute it. Hot water is not advised because it can cause the stain to set into the fibers.
2. Use Baking Soda, Vinegar, and Peroxide for Extra Help
A tried-and-true cleaning trick is to use baking soda for carpet stains. Baking soda is an excellent cleaning agent because its abrasive nature helps remove dirt and stains. Hydrogen peroxide is also effective, as it helps kill bacteria and mold. And white vinegar is also great for eliminating odors and loosening food stains. These natural cleaning agents are inexpensive and can work wonders on removing stains from your carpet.
You can make a baking soda and hydrogen peroxide solution by mixing one cup of baking soda with two cups of hydrogen peroxide. Apply the solution to your carpet, and blot it with a clean white towel (remember, use one with no print or writing). Let the solution sit for 30 minutes before rinsing it with water.
To remove stains with vinegar, mix it with an equal amount of water in a bottle, then spray the solution onto the stain. Dab it off with a white cloth or paper towel. Don’t worry if your house smells like vinegar; it will go away in a short amount of time.
3. Grab the Club Soda
When people talk about how to remove carpet stains, club soda is frequently recommended. Using club soda after a spill does work well to lift the stain from the carpet. Start by blotting out as much of the spill as you can. Then pour the club soda directly onto the stain, being cautious not to oversaturate the area. Allow the soda to sit on the stain for at least five minutes before blotting it off. Rinse the stained area with a cloth soaked in water and allow the carpet to air dry.
4. Dab with Shaving Gel
Shaving gel does a surprisingly good job of lifting food and grease stains from carpet. Put a dab of shaving gel on the stain, let it sit for several minutes, and blot it away. The soapy, foamy consistency works wonders when it comes to removing stains from carpet fibers. So, don’t hesitate to try this little-known carpet cleaning hack.
5. Chill Chewing Gum
If you have children, especially ones who like to chew gum, chances are some of it is going to end up on your carpet. If this happens, use ice cubes to remove gum that’s stuck to your carpet. The ice itself will not remove the gum, but it will cause it to harden, which makes it easier to lift off the carpet. Here are the steps for removing chewing gum from carpet:
- Place ice into a resealable bag.
- Apply the ice pack to the gum for 20 minutes.
- When the gum is cold and hardened, scrape at the edges with a plastic spoon or butter knife. You can even use the edge of an old credit card if you like.
- If leftover bits of gum remain in the carpet, use a carpet cleaning detergent to lift them out.
- Once most or all of the gum is removed, vacuum the carpet.
Keep Carpets Clean in Your Home
As you can see, removing stains from carpet is not as overwhelming as you might think. And maintaining clean carpets is easy if you keep up with regular care. Vacuum your carpets at least twice a week, using slow, repetitive strokes. On average, it takes about 15 minutes to clean 300 square feet of carpet.
If you want to keep your carpets looking great for many years, you should have them professionally cleaned at least once a year. Steam cleaning penetrates deep into the carpet fibers to lift dirt and other pollutants.
Why Choose Molly Maid Cleaning Services
Now that you know how to remove stains from your carpet and keep them clean, you can move onto the rest of your house. The good news is, our housekeeping wisdom doesn’t stop with removing carpet stains! We can help with all your household cleaning dilemmas. And when you need a professional cleaning service to help you get it all done, your local Molly Maid will be right there to make sure your house sparkles. You can count on us for guaranteed results every time. Call us or request an estimate online today!
