Removing Carpet Stain Tips

Is there carpet in your home?

If there is, then there will most likely be a time that you need some tips to remove those bothersome stains, especially if you have children.

Children can create some major stains on carpet from anything from ketchup to fruit punch to blood, and if you are not prepared with some carpet cleaning tips, then you may not be able to save your carpets.

Carpeting can be quite expensive so you want to be able to remove stains as easily and quickly as possible. You are able to clean those stains yourself with a little ingenuity and hard work!

Prevention is the Key

The great thing about carpets sold these days is that most carpet comes with a stain resistant coating.

Although it is coated with the stain resistant coating, this will not completely prevent stains, but may help keep them from setting in. There are easy and quick things that you can do to help prevent those stains from occurring.

Throw rugs at the entry points to your home will help keep dirt and debris from coming in. This will encourage people to wipe their feet before coming into your home.
You may have to outlaw eating and drinking in your carpeted rooms, especially if you have children. This is where a majority of the stains come from.
Vacuuming your carpets regularly will help keep them clean and will help keep debris from turning into stains.

Remove Stains as Soon as Possible

Removing a stain as soon as it occurs is the easiest way to make sure that you can remove it completely.

If you allow the stain to set into the carpet it is going to make it that much harder to remove the stain. If you do not have the right cleaner to remove the stain, put club soda on it to prevent it from setting in.

With a white cloth or paper towel blot up as much of the excess liquid of the stain before treating.
Blot gently so you do not push the stain deeper into the carpet.
If your stain is dry, use a dull knife to scrape up as much of the stain as you can.

Carpet Stain Removal Solutions:

Being prepared for removing stains from your carpets is the best way to make sure that you will be able to remove the stain completely.

Make sure that you have some basic stain removers in your cabinet so that you will be ready for that stain.

Club Soda
Dishwashing Liquid
Hydrogen Peroxide
Salt
Baking Soda
White Vinegar
Dry cleaning solvent (found at grocery store or carpet cleaning supplier)

More Carpet Stain Removal Tips

Make sure that you keep the stain from setting into your carpet if at all possible. If you do, then it will be much easier to remove the stain. Remember that trying to remove stains is just a matter of trial and error. If one stain removal hint does not work then try another one!

Here are some common stains and some tips to get rid of them.

Fruit Punch Stains

Children love kool-aid and it seems to be magnetized to spill onto your carpet. The bright colors of kool-aid also seem overwhelming to clean.

The first thing to do is to blot up as much of the excess liquid as possible.
Mix a little dishwashing liquid and warm water and press a cloth dipped in this mixture onto the stain for 15 seconds.
Let the stain sit for a few minutes and then blot up the excess liquid.
Make a mixture of one cup of white vinegar to two cups of water and moisten a cloth with it.
Press the stain with the cloth for 15 seconds and let the stain sit for 15 minutes. This will remove any excess dishwashing liquid that could attract dirt.
Blot with a white, clean towel until dry.

This tip also works for other non-greasy, non-oily stains like tea, ketchup, wine, etc.

Oily, Greasy Stains

If you do not remove these stains, they will become more dingy from the dirt and grime that they attract.

First remove any excess oil or grease by blotting with a white cloth or paper towel.
Sprinkle salt or baking soda on the stain and let it sit on the stain overnight to remove as much of the oil and grease as possible.
Vacuum up the baking soda and salt.
Blot dry cleaning solvent onto the stain and then blot a cloth dipped into a water/dishwashing liquid mixture.
Let the stain sit for 15 minutes and then blot with warm water until all the soap is removed from the carpet.
Cover the stain with a wad of paper towels or cloth towels and place a few heavy books on the towels to help absorb the water.
Leave overnight and vacuum in the morning.

Keeping your Carpets Clean

If you are unsure of a stain removal tip that you hear about, test it in your closet or another inconspicuous place first.

If you are still unsure, consult a professional carpet cleaner. Prevention and timely stain removal will help keep your carpets looking great!

Gather your supplies and annihilate those stains – you will be glad you did!