Carpets provide great comfort to your feet, but they can also make your floor susceptible to stains. Even if you don’t have kids or pets at home, carpets are still prone to spills, which can easily seep into the fibers and become a set-in stain.
No matter what kind of stain is responsible for ruining your carpet’s appearance, it’s best to act on it as soon as you can to ensure that the damage doesn’t become permanent. There are different ways to approach each kind of stain, so you need to follow them for effective removal.
For now, we have listed some of the best ways to get rid of specific types of stains:
Coffee Carpet Stains
Splashing your strong, black coffee over your carpet isn’t a disaster if you act quickly with the following method:
- Make a DIY cleaning solution by mixing 1/4 teaspoon of mild dishwashing detergent with 1 cup of warm water. Don’t add more detergent, or you’ll end up with a sudsy residue that’s tough to rinse out. Steer clear of laundry or dishwashing detergent, which can discolor or damage carpet fibers.
- Blot the solution into the carpet carefully.
- Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water, being careful not to saturate the fibers.
- Blot up water with white paper towels.
- Repeat the process if any coffee marks or detergent residue are remaining. Source: Forbes
Oil-Based Stains
Oil-based stains don’t dissolve in water, making them more challenging to remove. They require special treatment and often need a solvent-based cleaner.
Common oil-based stains include the following:
- Cooking oil
- Grease
- Lipstick
- Motor oil
- Oil-based paint
- Some types of makeup
Place a paper towel over the carpet and iron on a warm setting for these stains. The stain should lift off the carpet and stick to the paper towel. If the iron doesn’t get everything out, you may need a commercial carpet cleaner designed for oil-based stains.
Protein-Based Stains
Protein-based stains, which come from organic materials, can be particularly stubborn. An enzymatic cleaner is needed to break down the proteins effectively.
Examples of protein-based stains include the following:
- Blood
- Egg
- Milk
- Pet urine
- Vomit
To remove these stains, use a specialized enzymatic cleaner. Mix a cleaning solution of one tablespoon of ammonia with one cup of water. However, to avoid damaging the fibers, never use ammonia on wool or wool-blend carpets. It should also be noted that you should never mix ammonia-based cleaners with bleach or chlorine-based cleaners. Source: This Old House
Candle Wax Stains
For how to get stains out of carpet caused by candle wax, rub an ice pack on the wax until it hardens. Gently break up the wax, then vacuum up the pieces. Treat the spot with a carpet cleaner, following the manufacturer’s instructions, or a white cloth dampened with a small amount of rubbing alcohol. Blot the area to dry.
Chocolate Stains
Use a dull knife to scrape away as much solid material as possible to remove chocolate stains on carpet. If the chocolate is melted, place a resealable plastic bag filled with ice cubes over the stain to harden the remaining chocolate before scraping. Vacuum the area to pick up any loose flakes or pieces. Mix ¼ teaspoon of liquid dish soap with 1 cup of warm water, and use a clean cloth to apply the solution to the stain, working from the outside toward the center. Leave the solution on for at least five minutes, then blot until the stain is gone. Source: Better Homes & Gardens
Now, don’t leave those stains alone in your carpet for too long or you might be due for a replacement sooner than later. If you want more professional advice, you can always come to us for help – just give us a call!
