Some Common Carpet Stains And How To Remove Them
Carpets are prone to spills and spoils and should all be cleaned immediately so as not to leave stains.
23/02/2024
Carpets tend to get stained. They are on the floor, and everything that falls ends up there: coffee, juice, food waste, dirt from shoes, ink... The dirt from our pets, or what the little one can't keep in his stomach. They should all be cleaned immediately so as not to leave stains.
Do you know how to remove stains without damaging the fabric?
Remove residue from the stain
Imagine one morning when we were in a rush, we spilled coffee and toast on the carpet. Coffee is difficult to remove because it is liquid, but toast (along with any butter or jam) should be removed before starting to wash the carpet, either by machine or by hand.
Some people remove this type of residue with a scraper, knife, or even a powerful vacuum cleaner. The important thing is not to use a brush or pressure, because the only thing we will achieve is to make the stain bigger.
Dry the stain (if it is wet)
A trick that will save time later is to lay out absorbent (and dry) napkins first. This will cause some of the fluid that is already in the tissue to come out. Very useful for coffee stains, although not so useful for jam stains. After passing this dry tool several times, we can apply a little pressure. Always use a dry napkin every time you pass it, so the dirt doesn't spread.
What type of stain do you have?
Depending on the type of stain we find, we can use one product or another. There will be those who need supermarket stain remover, and there will be those who need more originality.
Red wine stains
To remove red wine stains there are several options. After drying as mentioned above, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) as we have for wounds is usually useful, along with some neutral salt (such as salt or baking soda). After that, rinse thoroughly to remove the salt that is saturated with the wine. The second option is white vinegar, which must first be removed with a damp sponge, and then rinsed.
If the stain is dark ink, perhaps due to a damaged pen, we have several options:
- If it is small and pliable, fill a bowl with milk and leave the stain inside for a few hours. After that, clean with stain remover and follow the instructions.
- If the carpet is a stiff type, it is easier to use a damp cloth with a little alcohol (pure) to remove the ink gradually. Then, use a stain remover.
- If we don't have it, we can always use fine salt. Spread a generous amount, but without weighing it down, on the carpet. Shake the carpet after eight hours to remove the salt.
Poo stains
Without a doubt, cleaning poo stains is the most challenging. Poo stains are difficult to remove and of course smell bad. Basically you can clean poo stains with a mixture of dishwashing liquid, white vinegar and warm water. Make the mixture absorb and start rubbing the exposed area slowly until the stain disappears. If it still doesn't go away or goes away but not completely, applying hydrogen peroxide and a few drops of ammonia may be considered. However, don't use ammonia if your carpet is a wool carpet. Ammonia can change the color of your wool carpet.
Ink stains
To clean ink stains, applying dry absorbent paper to the area usually helps. Go there at first, and press it later. Once most of the liquid is gone, the stain should be removed by wiping with a damp cloth containing a small amount of pure alcohol. And finish cleaning with detergent on the stain, and plenty of water.
Rust stains
Although it is rare, rust stains can appear. In this case, the ideal is a fabric stain remover applied for 5 or 10 minutes. And if the stain hasn't disappeared completely after rinsing several times with warm water, we can try lime juice (filtered so as not to leave lemon particles) plus salt. The lemon will help the stain separate from the carpet, and the salt will absorb it without removing it.
Coffee or tea stains
If you spill coffee or tea, the ideal is to use the starch after you have drained the liquid. Of course, not everyone uses starch in the kitchen. If you don't have one, use a dry cloth to scrub, then detergent.
Mud stains
Mud stains are paradoxical. The less you do, the easier it is to clean. In fact, it's best to cover the area so it won't be stepped on, allow hours for the stain to dry, and shake the carpet carefully.
We believe we have provided a standard guide
for cleaning common stains found on carpets. If
you are unsuccessful with our tips, relying on a
professional cleaning service may be in order to
achieve the level of cleanliness you expect.