Have kids? Have pets? Have a spouse or significant other? Then chances
are, you have stains; all different types of them. And chances are, you’re
the only one who’ll bother to clean them! It helps if you know a few
little tricks and tips to get your carpet clean after life’s little
mishaps.
The first thing to remember is that pre-treating is key. Carpets with
stain protection such as ScotchGard can make your life much, much easier.
This type of product actually repels stains and keeps them from soaking
into the carpet fibers.
All the protection in the world won’t save you from life’s little (or
huge) messes. In this case, using the proper techniques can help you keep
your carpet looking like new. First, always use an absorbent towel to sop
up liquid messes. Then blot the spill, don’t rub. Rubbing only forces the
stain deeper into the carpet fibers, and may leave you with a stain that’s
difficult or even impossible to remove. Now, it’s well known that for some
people it’s hard not to get in there with some serious elbow grease and
scrub the daylights out of the rug, but please resist the temptation. It’s
in your best interest.
Next, you’ll want to use a manufacturer-recommended carpet cleaner to help
release the remaining stain. If, like the majority of us out there, you
don’t know what the manufacturer’s recommendations are, then make sure you
use a trusted brand of carpet cleaner. Always test for colorfastness in an
inconspicuous spot first. Removing the color from your carpets defeats the
purpose of stain removal. Apply the cleaner generously and give it a few
minutes to penetrate. Then, gently blot until the stain lifts. Some carpet
cleaner makers recommend a light “rinse” using a clean cloth dampened with
lukewarm water. After the stain has lifted, allow the area to dry, and
then vacuum.
Sometimes you’ll have the dreaded non-liquid stains. (i.e., stepped-on
Pop-Tarts, dog poop) For this type of mess, use a clean cloth to remove as
much of the solid part of the stain as you can. Then, follow the above
steps to remove the remaining stain. As tempted as you may be, it’s never
a good idea to vacuum these types of stain first, as this will force the
stain deeper into the carpet.
With a little bit (aw, heck. A whole LOT) of patience, you can keep your
carpet looking like new.
Tags: Carpet Cleaning, Carpet Cleaning Service, Pet Stains, Residential Carpet Cleaning, Spot Removal