Carpets add luster and style to a house or office. They protect the floor and also keep the pedestrian walk noiseless and comfortable. Stain removal is a task that requires technique and care to avoid damaging your carpet further. Simple stains require that you blot that spot and work on it dry from the exterior to the inner parts. Rinse the spot completely and blot again. The carpet should not be scrubbed as you will spoil the fibers and may cause the spill to soak into the pad of the carpet.
There are several types of carpet stains and it is important to know what kind of stain it is. Most are water soluble stains. These include coffee, tea, chocolate, wine, vomit, blood and mustard. They are many spot removers available in the market and it is important that you should test them on an inconspicuous part of your carpet to ensure it does not change the color of your carpet.
Home made Stain removers
– Mix a tablespoon of ammonia and a cup of water. This should not be used on wool- blend or wool carpets. On these use very mild detergents and water. You can also use a ratio of 1:5 of chlorine to water on carpets that are solution dyed e.g. polypropylene.
– For oil, wax or fat based stains, you will need to put a paper towel on the carpet and use an iron that is set on warm. It should come off and stick on the paper towel.
– Cigarette burns are removed by rubbing gently on the pile using a flat and hard surface’s edge e.g. dull knife.
– Glue is removed using a soft cloth or cotton ball and rubbing it with alcohol. The area is pressed and the residue becomes moist and can be wiped off. This is repeated until it completely removed from the carpet.
– Gum and Wax are removed using ice to freeze them. Using a spoon you shatter them and vacuum the pieces. Use a white towel to blot the spot on the carpet.
– Take nail polish remover and have a rag dipped in it to blot stains made by nail polish.
– Urine stains are removed by using white towels to absorb it. A cool and damp cloth is then used to blot the stains. Take a solution made of 1:1 water and vinegar and spray it on the affected area. Then apply a half teaspoon solution of non bleach detergent mixed with water (32 ounces), rinse it and then let it dry.
Why you should act on stains
– Food spills and stains do not only leave terrible marks on your carpet, they harbor germs and bacteria. This then creates a breeding site for bugs, insects which eat the fibers and cause irreparable damage to your carpet. It is important to ensure that your carpet is cleaned regularly to avoid this.
– Carpet stains are easily removed using a combination of water, household chemicals and cleaners. There are special solutions that are formulated to specific stain types and are available in the stores. If any of the stains defy the home made solutions, try these. You may also need to get the services of a professional company for carpet cleaning. Stains that are ground in with dirt can be stubborn and will cause odors too.
Maintaining Carpets
– Carpets require to be cleaned properly at least every year. This requires the use of a steam carpet cleaner or hiring the professionals. It is important that you follow the following steps if you choose to clean them yourself:
– Ensure that you use carpet cleaning equipment that enough power to vacuum and let it dry within 12 hours. It should also net get it too wet.
– Dehumidifiers should be used to hasten drying or it may get mildew or encourage the growth of bacteria.
– Cleaning solutions should be less than pH 10 and no detergent should be left on the carpet.
– Check the warranty of your carpet. There are certain formulations for the different carpets and these should be used on them. Your warranty will be useless if you do not follow instructions for the right products for your carpet.
– Stains are a nuisance on carpets and they look terrible if not acted on immediately. It is important to identify the stain and use the correct solutions and techniques to work them out. Gentle techniques are the best way to get rid of them.
