subject: Clever Carpet Cleaning Solutions For Tricky Stains [print this page] Quick action against a carpet spill can alleviate most stains before any true damage is done, but some spills can cause major headaches! Three of these common carpet cleaning challenges are chocolate, mustard, and blood. Here are a few tips to keep these stubborn splotches from taking over and make carpet cleaning a cinch
Removing Chocolate Stains from Carpet
As delicious as this stain is before hitting the carpet it's just as annoying after the spill. If this happens chocolate can be removed by following these easy steps. First, remove all excess chocolate carefully as not to smear and rub into the carpet further. Next, mix a cup of warm water and a drop or two of dish washing liquid. Take a clean cloth or rag and gently swab at the spot. Repeat as needed.
If that doesn't work mixing a little of ammonia with two cups of warm water for your solution will do the trick. When the stain is out, take a dry cloth and pat dry.
Erasing Tricky Mustard Carpet Stains
This yellow fiend is an old personal fabric enemy of mine. This is due to the fact that mustard contains the ingredient Turmeric. This ingredient is used in other cuisines, such as curry, but also used as a highly potent yellow dye. If mustard finds its way onto your rug it can cause unpleasant carpet cleaning. Quickly take a wet cloth or rag and dab at the stain moving from the outside in to keep from spreading.
Adding a small amount of vinegar (not much more than the spot itself) helps flush out the stain. After, clean the spot with a mixture of a cup of water and less than one teaspoon of dishwashing soap and then pat the area dry with a clean cloth.
Cleaning Tough Blood Stains from Carpet
Blood is one of the most notorious stains on any material. For carpet cleaning spots left by nicks and scrapes can be a full on war. Treating the blemish immediately is your fist line of defense. Prompt action will keep the stain from permeating beneath the fibers. Use a sponge or cloth with cold water blotting the area softly moving inwards.
Never use hot water since the heat will speed up the setting. Dab dry using a clean cloth. Repeat if necessary. Using just enough club soda to dampen your rag will also help with very troublesome blood smears.
While removing any stains from your carpet there are a few consistencies to remember. 1) React quickly. Not giving the stain time to set will allow for easier and faster clean up. 2) Remove extra matter before cleaning. This keeps the mess from smearing and rubbing into your carpet. 3) Always pat/blot/dab at the spot gently. Do not rub or scrub the stain, which will lead to a more difficult clean up.
