Carpets tend to get a lot of use and are exposed to everyday dirt and wear and tear processes more than anything in your home. No matter what precautions you take, spills and stains are inevitable. Luckily, there are various cleaning methods to help you deal with every situation. Whether it’s wine, greasy food or paint from your child’s artwork, you can easily restore the previous glory of your carpet.
Before you start, first determine if your carpet is made of synthetic or natural fibre as their resilience to stains differ. Some synthetic materials are more vulnerable to heat and harsh products and may get damaged or discoloured. If you are unsure or unaware what is your carpet’s fabric, you can turn to professional carpet cleaning services. If you decide to tackle it yourself, always test the commercial cleaners on an unnoticeable place to ensure that they will not discolour your carpet.
To remove any spot, always start by blotting the spot with a clean rug to dry out the area and then gently rinse with water and blot again. Avoid scrubbing the spot because you may damage the carpet’s fabrics or let the dirt soak deeply into the material.
Food and Drink Stains
Spots and spills from food and drinks are some of the most popular carpet stains. For tougher stains, dissolve one table spoon of ammonia in a cup of water. For natural fibres, use vinegar instead of ammonia. Spray it over the stained area and blot.
Synthetic Fibres
Dip a white cloth into the detergent solution then dab several times and press the cloth over the stained area for few seconds. Wait for 15 minutes for the detergent to break down the stain. Get another dry white cloth and soak the excess of liquid. Then repeat the process with white vinegar. The vinegar will remove the residual detergent. The next step is to blot the spot with a cloth soaked in lukewarm water. Wait for the area to dry out and repeat the steps if the stain is lightening.Natural Fibres
Spray the spot with detergent solution and blot with dry cloth. Then apply vinegar and again blot with white cloth. Repeat the first step. Spray again with lukewarm water and dry out the area. Repeat the process until you remove the stain.
Oil and Grease Stains
Greasy stains are a complete cleaning nightmare. To remove anything from cooking oil and salad dressing to crayons, lipstick and mascara use these methods.
Synthetic Fibres – put small amount of solvent on a white clean cloth. Dab a couple of times and then press the cloth on the stain for few second. Use cloth, soaked in lukewarm water, to blot and then rinse the solvent. Wait for the area to dry out and the repeat if needed.
Natural Fibres – apply the method described above. Before rinsing with lukewarm water, spray a detergent solution over the stain and blot.
Wax and Chewing Gum
Wax and chewing gum spots may seem dreadful at first, but you can easily get rid of these stains. Place a paper towel over the affected area and then go over with the iron.
Glue
Damp a cotton ball or a soft cloth in a little bit of rubbing alcohol and press it over the spot. Wait until the glue stain is well – moistened and gently wipe it away. Repeat until the residue is gone.
Dirt and Mud
Synthetic Fibres
Remove as much dry dirt as possible by vacuuming the carpet. Soak a white cloth into a detergent solution and dab several times. Press the cloth on the stain for a few seconds and wait. Soak up the excess of liquid with a dry cloth. Repeat the second step, but instead of using cleaning product, soak it in lukewarm water.Natural Fibres
Again vacuum the dirt and spray the stained area with detergent solution. Blot with a dry cloth and then spray with vinegar solution. Blot again and apply the detergent. When you rinse the residue of the cleaner, spray lukewarm water and blot with dry cloth.
Regular Maintenance
Vacuum your carpet on every week to prevent the build-up of dust, dirt and allergens. A good rule of thumb is to thoroughly wash your flooring once in every 12 to 18 months. Carpets tend to get a lot of use and are exposed to everyday dirt and wear and tear processes more than anything in your home.
Article contributed by Ella Andrews. Read more home maintenance tips at: E Carpet Cleaners Ltd.
Image credit: Greg Shand Architects, Wallflower Architects & Design, LU+C Studio, Su Misura, DHOME STUDIO and Project File.