Home Improvement

We all have accidents, and most of us have carpet in our house somewhere. The key ingredient to effective carpet stain removal, is to act fast! Most carpets on the market today are designed to fight staining, and to resist the permanent penetration of liquids and semi liquids. It is important to remember that the longer you wait to adress a stain or spill on your carpet, the less likely you will be able to completely remove it.

As of yet, there are no 100% stain proof carpets on the market. So being prepared ahead of time is really key when trying to remove a carpet stain, before it really sets in.

First off, it is important to never wipe of scrub the stain off the carpet. The most effective way for carpet stain removal, is to blot. Lightly push on the spill, with a towel or rag. If a stain has been on your carpet for a long period of time, you still may be able to remove it with carpet cleaners, but if a spill or stain is new, it is always best to blot the spill first, then use water first.

It is best to try water to clean your carpet stain first, because it is less likely to change the color of your carpet where the stain was. If water fails to remove the carpet stain effectively, then move on to a store bought cleaner specifically designed for carpet and upholstry.

If your spill happens to be a semi solid, such as a pudding, jelly, or peanut butter, you are often better off allowing it to dry, then scraping it off with a butter knife. If any residue is left behind, clean up with water.

A great tip to cleaning carpet is to use a wet dry vacuum cleaner. Pour on the cleaner, blot, rinse and then vacuum up the remaining liquid. You may have to repeat the cleaning process a few times to lift the stain.

So lets recap. The most effective form of carpet stain removal is speed. Act fast! Do not scrub or rub the spill, Blot! Next, you will rinse and dry by means of a vacuum cleaner if possible, if not blot repeatadly with a clean dry towel or rag.