Removing Carpet Stains

Now that the holidays are over you may have some stubborn carpet stains that you want to remove but you’re not sure where to start. Here are a few tips.  You can Stop by and say hello and we’ll give you a free bottle of our carpet stain remover.

What type of stain is it?

The type of stain determines how it should be treated.  Here are the three most common categories of stains and how to remove them.

Water-Soluble Stains
alcoholic beverages, fruit juices, food dyes, gravy, ice cream, mud, wet or latex paint.

Solution – Use a simple cleaning solution made up of 1/4 teaspoon of nonbleach detergent (or white vinegar) mixed with 32 ounces of water.

Special Water-Soluble Stains
blood, chocolate, coffee, mustard, vomit, wine

Solution – Try 1 tablespoon of ammonia mixed with 1 cup of water (but not on wool or wool-blend carpet; instead use mild detergent and water). If that doesn’t work, you can try one part chlorine bleach to five parts water, but only on solution-dyed carpets, such as polypropylene. Bleach will harm other types of carpets; check with the manufacturer if you are unsure what type of carpet you have.

Fat, Oil, and Wax
Solution – Place a paper towel over the carpet and iron on warm setting. The wax, fat, or oil should come up off the carpet and stick to the paper towel.

Cigarette Burns
Solution – These can be removed by gently rubbing the pile with the edge of a hard and flat surface, such as a dull knife.

Glue
Solution – Moisten a cotton ball or soft cloth with rubbing alcohol and press it on the affected area. Once the glue residue is thoroughly moistened, gently wipe it off and repeat until the carpet is clean.

Wax and Gum
Solution – Use ice to freeze the wax or gum, then shatter it with a blunt object, such as a spoon. Vacuum before the pieces soften, and blot the carpet with a white towel.

Fat, Oil, and Wax
Solution – Place a paper towel over the carpet and iron on warm setting. The wax, fat, or oil should come up off the carpet and stick to the paper towel.

Cigarette Burns
Solution – These can be removed by gently rubbing the pile with the edge of a hard and flat surface, such as a dull knife.

Glue
Solution – Moisten a cotton ball or soft cloth with rubbing alcohol and press it on the affected area. Once the glue residue is thoroughly moistened, gently wipe it off and repeat until the carpet is clean.

Wax and Gum
Solution – Use ice to freeze the wax or gum, then shatter it with a blunt object, such as a spoon. Vacuum before the pieces soften, and blot the carpet with a white towel.

Nail Polish
Solution – Blot the area with a rag dipped in nail polish remover.
Blot the area with a rag dipped in nail polish remover.