Cleaning Stains from Carpets
Author: Service CentralYour carpet should be vacuumed frequently and cleaned professionally every 6-12 months, depending on the amount of traffic it experiences. If you have something spill on your carpet and it is due for a professional clean, it is suggested that you leave removing the stain to the carpet cleaning professional as they will know the best method for removal, without damaging your carpet or its underlying base.
For a quick spot clean, however, you may try these quick and easy tips. Be warned, however, that some of these products can damage or alter the colour of your carpet, so it is important to know the limits of your carpet, test in an inconspicuous area first and, if in doubt, always post your carpet cleaning job with Service Central and leave it to the professionals.
The important thing to remember when it comes to carpet stains is:
- Don't add liquid to liquid - dry the stain out thoroughly before attempting removal
- Dab at the stain, never rub
- Try and clean the stain from the outside in, to prevent it from spreading further
- After cleaning, cover the area with a thick pad of white paper towels and weigh this down to help absorb all the moisture and dry out the carpet.
Cleaning chewing gum from carpet
- Using icecubes in a bag or an aerosol freezing agent to chill the gum, pick and scrape it away
- Use a dry cleaning solvent on what remains
- Rinse with 2 teaspoons of vinegar mixed with a litre of warm water
Cleaning wax from carpet
- Place a slightly damp, white cloth so that it covers the wax
- Run a hot iron over the cloth, letting the heat melt the wax and the cloth absorb it
- Repeat if necessary
Cleaning nail polish from carpet
- Find a clear nail polish remover that doesn't contain lanolin
- Test on a discrete/hidden patch of carpet to ensure carpet isn't damaged by it
- Dab at nail polish to remove it
- Rinse with 2 teaspoons of vinegar mixed with a litre of warm water
Cleaning blood from carpet
- You should always use cold water initially when cleaning blood from any material
- Follow with a mild detergent mixed in with warm water (1 teaspoon detergent to 1 litre water)
- Rinse with 2 teaspoons of vinegar mixed with a litre of warm water
Cleaning lipstick from carpet
While there are products available on the market for removing lipstick stains, a suggested home remedy is:
- If the lipstick has been crushed into the carpet, attempt to remove as much as possible first
- Rub Vaseline into the lipstick, working from outside in to prevent spreading the mark
- Remove the Vaseline-lipstick combination, scraping it away and repeat step two if necessary
- Follow with a mild detergent mixed in with warm water (1 teaspoon detergent to 1 litre water)
- Rinse with 2 teaspoons of vinegar mixed with a litre of warm water
Cleaning faeces from carpet
- Spot clean the area using a teaspoon of mild detergent mixed in with a litre of warm water
- Apply clear household disinfectant
- Repeat step one
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