subject: How To Remove Spots On Area Rugs [print this page] Area rugs, just like your carpet, are prone to getting stains. You still walk on them after all, and they are still on your floor. Therefore making them primary targets for drops, spills, feet, and other not so other worldly accidents.
The challenge is just how to get these types of stains out of your area rug. The correct answer is, well, that depends. What this implies is simply, the strategy for getting any particular spot out of your area rug is going to depend on the type of spot and the type of rug.
Not all stains are created equal and neither are all rugs. Some varieties of rugs, like sisal, are almost impossible to remove stains from. And many kinds of stains, such as ones left by furniture stain, can be just about impossible to remove.
As usual, the most important aspect to realize is exactly what type of area rug you own. Is it made of wool? Is it silk? This information will invariably be your best ally when dealing with area rugs. The next most significant item is quickness. You should definitely attend to a spot or stain as quickly as humanly feasible. It is a very simple formula. The more time you procrastinate the worse it gets. That is a universal fact. It applies to all sorts of carpets and all sorts of stains.
When attempting to remove a stain from your area rug remember to never rub it. Rubbing a stain will only push it and spread it further into your rug. Imagine dropping a grape on the floor. Oops. Now instead of picking it up for an easy clean up, give it a good rubbing. Mash it up real good. Yeah, kinda makes it worse doesn't it? So don't rub, blot the stain.
But before you even get to the blotting, a handy tool to have around is a wet/dry vac. These little machines are one of your carpet and rugs' best friends. The first thing you want to do is use this vac and extract as much of the spill as possible. This will then leave you with the actual stain or spot.
There are a number of handy items that you probably already have in your home that can be used for spot removing. Club soda, baking soda, lemon juice, hydrogen peroxide, and even shaving cream are a few of the household items that can be used to clean up rug stains. Of course you always want to test a small area of the rug first. Not all rugs are created equal, remember?
If you encounter a stain or spot that you cannot remove or are just a bit to unsure of to handle yourself, call a pro. Professional carpet cleaners are always on standby with advice or with the ability to take care of it themselves.