Those brand new immaculate carpets that you recently installed are currently clean and free of imperfections. In due time your previously pristine carpets will experience an unpreventable spill and you will need to know how to swiftly, and appropriately, address the issue. In this post we have listed some cleaning tips and have identified some useful items found around the average home that can help remove those pesky spills.
Ammonia is a popular cleaner that is found in a lot households across America. Mix a 1/4 cup of ammonia with a cup of water into a spray bottle. Generously spray the area and blot the stain with a clean washcloth. Depending on the degree of the stain you may need to repeat the process a few times, as needed.
Vinegar is another commonly found home cleaning product. For the vinegar solution, mix together a 1/4 cup of vinegar with a cup of water in a spray bottle. Apply the vinegar mixture to the stain in the same manner as the ammonia solution.
Dish detergent is also useful for handling spills and carpet stains. Because dish detergent has the ability to breakdown grease buildup, it can be an especially effective carpet cleaning agent. Combine 1 teaspoon of liquid dish detergent with 2 cups of warm water in a spray bottle. Apply this solution to the stain the same way as the ammonia and vinegar solution.
Although not found in all households, club soda can be useful in addressing water-soluble carpet stains. We would recommend slowly pouring the club soda on to a clean white cloth, and not pouring the soda directly onto the carpet. Clean the soiled area with cloth dampened by club soda until the stain is removed.
If you are dealing with an especially moist spill, Metro would recommend vacuuming the area first to alleviate the excess liquid. This will help in the cleaning process because the excess moisture will not dilute the cleaning solution.
In general you do not want to hesitate when dealing with carpet stains. Once you notice that a spill has occurred you should begin the cleaning process. It is also best to blot, as oppose to scrub messes. Rubbing or scrubbing a stain can drive the soil deeper into the carpet material. Be reserved with your water use. Too much water involved in addressing a stain can cause additional issues. Excess water can damage the bonding of the carpet, and if the liquid is not removed can result in mold.
Here are a couple of tips for preventing stains and reducing the likelihood of them occurring.
– Keep the dirt outside! Take your shoes off when get in the house and have a shoe rack, or basket, handy near the entrances to your home. Encourage family members and guests to take their shoes off before continuing into the house.
– There are a multitude of commercial instant spot removers available. We would recommend picking up one and having it handy for spontaneous spills.
Good luck!