Blog
Top 10 Flooring Stain Removal Tips
25th April 2018
Did you get new carpet recently? Are you trying to keep your floors free of stains? We know how hard it is to remove tough blemishes in your home. This Old House says that you can get rid of cigarette burns by taking a butter knife to carpet pile. Our top ten tips will help you keep your carpets immaculate.
Remove stains immediately
The best way to prevent stains from soaking into your new flooring is to get rid of the mess as quickly as you can. The longer coffee or juice sits on the carpet, the more chance that the material will soak it into the fibers. Keeping a carpet cleaning kit under the kitchen sink can help you act fast the next time the nail polish bottle tips over on the rug.
Sop up the excess
Before you get to cleaning, you may want to try to carefully soak up what is on the top of the carpet. Use a butter knife, scraper, or spatula to scoop up any extra spaghetti sauce or pet excrement. A stack of paper towels works well for liquid that can seep into the padding.
Never rub the mess
When you are preparing to clean up liquids like wine, it is always a good idea to start by blotting the mess. Better Homes and Gardens says that you always want to dab at the area to keep from pushing the stain further into the carpet pile. Use a clean rag or towel and gently put it on the top of the soda pop. Press lightly enough to soak up the liquid without pushing down the carpet.
Try a little water before using a stain remover
For some stains, water is all you need to remove the mess. Add water drops at a time to dilute the stain and remove it from the fibers. Good Housekeeping says to keep blotting at the mess with a clean section of the rag as the water penetrates the stain.
Do not soak the carpet
Adding too much water or cleaner will spread out the stain. When cleaning, it will help to use a spray bottle to minimize the amount of water you put on the area at once. An eye dropper will also work in a pinch.
Use a homemade cleaning solution for typical stains
Mix a quart of water with a quarter teaspoon of vinegar or dish soap. Be sure not to use a cleaner with bleach in it because it can fade the material. Use warm water versus hot to prevent setting the stain.
How to remove stains that will not come up with water
Many common messes come up with a little cleaner like the solution above. Your kids drop a paintbrush when making a masterpiece, or perhaps the dog’s muddy footprints made it past the kitchen. Whatever life throws at you is usually removable with a little TLC and your emergency clean up supplies.
- Dirt
- Pen ink
- Wet paint
- Ice cream
- Washable markers
- Fruit juice
- Pet waste
- Dyes
- Gravy
- Alcohol
Tough messes that melt into or coat your carpet
Some spills and mistakes are not as easy to remove. What do you do when candle wax drips on the floor? How do you remove glue or oily substances?
Gummy messes and wax
- Apply ice to harden the mess
- Use a wooden spoon or round, hard object to break the substance apart
- Vacuum quickly
- Blot with a clean cloth
Craft glue or school items
- Dab cotton balls in rubbing alcohol
- Blot the stain giving the mess time to soften
- Keep dabbing until the glue or wax comes out of the carpet
Nail polish
You can use nail polish remover on the stain. Add a little to the cotton balls, a clean rag, or a towel and dab lightly. Use another, dry cloth to soak up the mess as the area gets wet.
Getting rid of urine
- Soak with paper towels or rags
- Dab with a clean cloth with a little cool water
- Use a 50 percent vinegar and 50 percent water solution to clean the area
- Apply a cleaning solution you make with a half a teaspoon of non-chlorine cleaning agent and a quart of warm water
- Blot dry
Use pressure to remove the cleaning solution and water
For areas that remain wet, add a clean cloth. Apply a heavy object overnight. Remove the following morning and fluff.
We hope that these tips help you keep your floors like new for years. Remember to keep your emergency kit closest to the place where you have the most messes. For any questions, please call Accent on Floors at 804-458-0048.
References:
https://www.bhg.com/homekeeping/house-cleaning/surface/carpet-stains-and-how-to-remove-them/
https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/cleaning/a47654/how-to-clean-carpet/
https://www.thisoldhouse.com/how-to/how-to-remove-every-type-carpet-stain