Things you need to know when removing stains from carpets
Stains are very annoying. A particularly stubborn stain on your carpet can ruin the whole look of your living room, making it look unappealing and dirty. And it’s ironic how long-lasting they can be, seeing as it only takes a couple of seconds to make that stain (i.e., a glass of wine dropped accidentally on the floor). Here are a couple of ways to get rid of those stubborn stains.
Use Beer
Yes, we know what you are thinking – but as unusual as it may sound, beer is a good way to remove a stain caused by coffee or tea. Pour a bit over the surface of the carpet, rub it lightly, and you will see that the stain will eventually begin to dislodge. The yeast in beer can loosen the bond, which should make the dirt go away. And once the stain has been cleaned, use your usual carpet cleaner to remove the beer.
Try Vinegar
White vinegar is the superhero of pretty much every stain. It’s as effective as bleach – but without the actual bleaching part. It simply dislodges the dirt so that you can say goodbye to the stain.
Bear in mind that since vinegar itself is very tough, you don’t want to use it pure – it can thin out the carpet fibres. Instead, dilute it with at least the same amount of water. You may also add some detergent in the mix to make a carpet stain removal solution.
Apply Shaving Cream
Considering how viral this hack is, you probably already know it. Use shaving cream to remove a wine stain or a stain that is particularly difficult to deal with. All you have to do is blot the stain a bit with a wet sponge, apply some shaving cream on the stain, and allow it to sit for a couple of minutes. The stain should go away when you wipe it. Shaving cream also works on grease stains if that’s what you are dealing with.
Blot with Milk and Corn Starch
Have you spilled ink on the carpet? It is likely that the moment you saw the ink going down, you already made peace with the fact that you need a new carpet. But there may be a way to save it, by making a paste from milk and corn starch. It also works great for oil spills and grease. Make sure to let it sit for a couple of hours before you try to remove the paste.
Hydrogen Peroxide and Toothpaste
Do you have a stain on your carpet, but have no idea where it came from? Well, you might want to make a stain removal concoction out of 3% hydrogen peroxide and toothpaste. Bear in mind that this option is most efficient for light-coloured carpets. Rub the homemade stain remover on the carpet, leave it on for a couple of minutes, and then use a soft sponge to remove it. The stain should be gone.
Use Steam
Steam can release the bonds between your carpet fibres and the dirt from a stain. If you happen to have a clothes steamer, then you may use it for a couple of seconds on the carpet. A clothing steam iron can work as well, but make sure not to let it touch the carpet. Just hover it and work the steam so that it enters the carpet fibres.
Sprinkle Some Baking Soda
There’s nothing that baking soda can’t do around your home. If your pet peed on the carpet or decided that it was the best place to puke on, then you can use baking soda to remove the stain. To make the homemade solution even more effective, you might want to try mixing it with some white vinegar as well.
Pour Club Soda
Yes, club soda is also a very powerful stain remover. If you stained your carpet with wine, juice, or any other vibrant liquid – blood included – then you may want to pour some club soda over it. Blot the stain using a clean cloth, leave it for a couple of minutes and then wipe. Repeat the process until the stain goes away.
Apply Isopropyl Alcohol
If you are dealing with an ink stain, then you might want to consider using isopropyl alcohol. Its formula will break down the ink so that you may remove it. Remember, when it comes to ink, you shouldn’t scrub the alcohol as it will only spread the ink stain. Let it sit and then gently wipe it. Repeat until the stain is gone.
Use Salt
If you have dark carpets, then you may want to use salt and cold water. Sprinkle the salt onto the stain, and then use just enough water to cover it. You may want to refrain from rubbing, as it will only push the stain deeper into the carpet. Allow it to sit for a couple of minutes and then rinse with cold water.
Final Thoughts
A stain does not mark the end of a carpet. You just need to know how to get rid of it. Hopefully, we were able to give you the right advice to help you with your stain problem.
