Nothing is more frustrating than an accidental spill or pet accident on your carpet. Time is key when preventing carpet stains. With effective stain removal, you can prevent the stains from coming back. The professional cleaning services at MaidPro have put together this helpful guide to keep your carpets looking beautiful.
Pick Up the Solids
If the spill on your carpet contains solids, the first step is to remove them. Try not to push down or wipe while removing the solids.
Blot, Don't rub
Avoid rubbing the stain. First, this grinds the stain further down into the carpet fibers. This works against your efforts by making removing all traces of the stain harder. Second, aggressive rubbing of the stain will put excessive wear and tear on the carpet fibers. This can cause the carpet fibers to fray and lose their integrity. After the stain is gone, the carpet will look different in that one spot. Blot as much of the staining liquid up as possible. This removes the offending liquid.
Use Water
Once you remove the liquid causing the stain, use a small amount of water to begin the process of rinsing the stain out. Add water, then blot it up. Repeat these steps until the water you blot up is clear. Use a white microfiber cloth to blot with. The white color will let you see the liquid soaked up. The microfiber is adept at soaking up liquid, making for easier blotting.
Use a Cleaning Solution
If the stain is stubborn, you may need a cleaning solution. You can make your own by mixing these ingredients:
- 2 cups of water
- One tablespoon dish soap
- ¼ cup white vinegar
You can also use a commercial stain remover. Always follow the directions carefully. Do a small test patch in a hidden place to ensure it doesn't unexpectedly damage or bleach your carpet. Work from the outside of the stain towards the center to prevent the stain from spreading and getting larger.
Blot Until Dry
Continue to blot the area to pull up the cleaning solution and stain. You need to rinse the area after cleaning. This will prevent the cleaning fluid from drying on the carpet, leaving a discoloration mark.
Prevent Soiling and Wicking
Soiling happens when you don't fully remove the cleaning solution. This can leave a residue that attracts and traps dust and dirt. It looks like the stain returned, but it is a new dirt spot. You can prevent this by thoroughly rinsing and removing the cleaning solution.
Wicking happens when the staining liquid soaks down to the underside of the carpet or the underlayment. You remove the stain from the top of the carpet, but the staining liquid soaks up from underneath. Place a clean towel over the stain and something heavy on top of the towel. This will pull out all remaining liquid and help prevent wicking.
When to Call Professional Cleaning Services for Stain Removal
If the stain continues to return, you need professional carpet cleaning services. A professional cleaning service, such as MaidPro, will have stain removal tools that are more effective than consumer solutions.
Request a quote today and hire a pro for carpet cleaning.
