Carpet stains are a common occurrence in any household. Whether it’s from tracked-in dirt or pet accidents, they can be difficult to remove if not treated properly. In this article, we will discuss the 6 most common carpet stains and how can you get rid of them;
1. Mud Stains
Mud stains are one of the most common carpet stains outside. Although they tend to be easier to clean up, you must act fast once the mud is tracked inside your home.
Follow these steps for easy removal:
Vacuum the area right away to remove as much wet dirt as possible. Mix a solution of warm water and a laundry detergent that contains enzymes. Clean the area with a cloth or sponge and blot until the moisture from the dirt is gone. Allow it to air dry completely. If there are any remaining spots, mix a cup of warm water and oxygen bleach cleaner in a spray bottle and apply over the affected area. Let it sit for five minutes before blotting with a clean, dry towel.
2. Oil-Based Stains
Oil-based stains generally come from vegetable oil and cooking grease. Most of the time this type of stain is lighter in color than other types of stains and has an oily consistency so it can be difficult to remove, even if you act fast. Attempting to vacuum it up can cause it to spread, so blotting is the best method of removing it.
Follow these steps for effective removal:
Start by blotting up as much of the stain as possible. Mix a solution of warm water and a laundry detergent that contains enzymes in a spray bottle and apply evenly over the stained area Use an old cloth or paper towel to blot the solution into the carpet using a dry cloth or towel, press firmly on the stained area before moving onto the next part of the stain. Continue until you have covered all areas of the stain Allow it to air dry completely Vacuum any remaining residue
3. Pet Stains
Pet stains are some of the most difficult stains to clean because they are often made up of organic matter.
Removal:
Act immediately after the accident occurs to avoid it becoming too dried and difficult to remove Mix a solution of warm water, oxygen bleach cleaner, and dish soap Use paper towels or an old cloth to blot the mixture into the stain Allow it to sit for at least five minutes before blotting with a dry cloth or paper towel Continue until you have covered all areas of the stain Allow it to air dry completely Vacuum any remaining residue
4. Red Wine Stains
Red wine stains normally come from red wine being spilled onto your carpet. They are one of the more common and difficult stains to remove.
Here are some helpful tips for removing red wine stains from your carpet:
Act immediately after the accident occurs and don’t let it sit and dry first Mix a solution of warm water and oxygen bleach cleaner in a spray bottle Use an old cloth or paper towel to blot the mixture into the stain Allow it to sit for at least five minutes before blotting with a dry cloth or paper towel Continue until you have covered all areas of the stain Allow it to air dry completely Vacuum any remaining residue.
5. Cola Stains
Cola stains are one of the most common carpet stains because cola is one of the most common drinks spilled onto carpets. These can be one of the toughest stains to remove because they are acidic, making them difficult to break down.
Removal:
Mix a solution of warm water and oxygen bleach cleaner in a spray bottle Use an old cloth or paper towel to blot the mixture into the stain Allow it to sit for at least five minutes before blotting with a dry cloth or paper towel Continue until you have covered all areas of the stain Allow it to air dry completely Vacuum any remaining residue
6. Grease Stains
Grease stains are one of the most difficult stains to remove from your carpet because grease can leave behind a waxy build-up that is very tough to remove.
How to remove:
Use kerosene or any ethanol-based solvent to carefully dissolve the grease from the carpet Use a sponge, cloth, or varathane pad to wipe off as much of the solution as possible. Make sure that you do not spread the stain further into your carpet Allow it to air dry completely Vacuum any remaining residue
There are a lot of things that can go wrong with cleaning your carpets. You might not have the right materials for the job or you might just be plain unlucky and get a stain after a rainstorm when it’s very difficult to remove. Whatever the case may be, follow these steps and you should have no problem removing any stains that come from your carpet.
PRO TIP: You might come to a point asking yourself this question: Should I clean my carpet or get rid of it? Go over this post to learn important things when considering options whether to clean your carpet or just chuck it!
