Carpets are marvelous-it serves our home many purpose, from functioning as a noise absorber to providing more warmth to adding visual definition of our living rooms, it is no wonder why a lot of households choose to have a carpet installed or added. It is therefore essential to care and maintain it but no matter how much we protect our precious carpets, one way or another, a spill or accident that will compromise its aesthetic side is bound to happen. Even a home without kids or pets is not safe in getting stains on carpets. Thankfully, it’s easier these days to get rid of these annoying stains as there are numerous carpet stain removers that are available in the market or you may choose to go tout naturel or you may choose eco-friendly products . Follow these simple steps in removing carpet stains and you’ll know exactly what to do if your carpet falls victim on spill accidents:

1. Remove Excess

   To prevent having permanent stains on your carpets, remove any excess solids with either a spoon or a butter knife by scraping it off. For excess liquid, gently blot it away with a clean, absorbent cloth while working from the outside edge of the stain to the center, this will prevent the spill from spreading. Repeat this process until the spill no longer picks up any color.

2. Apply a Carpet Stain Remove

   You can either use a carpet stain remover that is commercially available or you may use a homemade vinegar solution. For the vinegar solution, mix 1 teaspoon of mild dish washing liquid with ¼ teaspoon of white vinegar and 1 quart of warm water and apply to the carpet stain. When using commercial carpet stain remover, always refer to the manufacturer guide for application. Either way, keep in mind not to over wet the stain as it may damage the backing.

   Pro Tip: Always test the carpet stain remover first to check for colorfastness. Spray the solution in a hidden spot before using it.

3. Blot the Stain Away

   Use a clean, white, absorbent cloth and blot from the outside in to prevent the spill   from spreading. Blot it with cold water and blot it dry.

How to Manage Carpet Stain Offenders

Water-Soluble Stains

(alcoholic beverages, berries, colas, gravy, ice cream, jelly, milk, mud, washable ink, wet or latex paint)

Use a homemade carpet cleaning solution by mixing 1 teaspoon of mild dish washing liquid with ¼ teaspoon of white vinegar and 1 quart of warm water .

Special Water-Soluble Stains

(blood, chocolate, coffee, mustard, tea, vomit, wine)

These are the most common culprit of carpet stains and tougher to manage at that. Here is how you can simply get rid of them:

Mix 1 tablespoon of Ammonia with 1 cup of water. Be careful not to use this though on wool or wool-blend carpet; instead use mild detergent and water. If that doesn't do the job, try mixing one part chlorine bleach to five parts water, but this should only be used on solution-dyed carpets, such as polypropylene since bleach will harm other types of carpets; be sure to check with the manufacturer if you are unsure what type of carpet you have.

Fat-based stains

 Since fat based stains are not water-soluble, a detergent is necessary in removing the stain. Detergents break up fat particles and it lifts the stain from the carpet. Mix ¼ cup of dish washing detergent with 1 cup warm water and blot the stain.

 You may also use baking soda for fat-based-stains. Sprinkle it to the stain and let it sit for 6 hours. Vacuum and blot the stain with a cloth moistened with rubbing alcohol

Urine

 Whether it’s our pet’s urine or our baby’s, urine is one of the challenging stains to tackle. It is advised that as soon as you discover that there is urine on the carpet, clean it right away as it may cause unpleasant odors if bacteria starts to set in.

Soak up the urine stain using a clean, white absorbent cloth and then apply a solution of 1 part water and 1 part white vinegar to the stain. The vinegar helps in neutralizing the ammoniacal odor of the urine. Next, blot the stain dry and then vacuum it. For older pet urine stain, you may try using carpet removers specially formulated for this.

Wax and Gum

Wax and gums can be easily removed by using ice to freeze it. After it’s frozen, it can be removed with a blunt object such as a spoon or a butter knife. Make sure to vacuum the affected area before the it softens and then blot it dry with a clean cloth.

Nail polish

This one is one of the easier stains to be removed. All you have to do is to blot the affected area with a clean cloth dipped in a nail polish remover and then blot it dry. Voila! No stain left on the carpet! Just be sure to act quickly when you accidentally spill the nail polish on the carpet.

Additional Tips:

• Choose an equipment that has enough vacuum power to allow the carpet to dry in 6-12 hours or you may risk it from getting too wet.

• Use a fan or dehumidifier to speed up the drying time after cleaning. If carpets are wet for more than 24 hours, chances are there is an increased risk of mildew and bacterial growth.

• Select a carpet cleaning solution that has a pH of 10 or less. Carpets derived from natural sources such as cotton or wool requires a slightly alkaline cleaning agent as it helps protect the fibers and its coloring.

Depending on the size and duration of the stain, you may need to consult with professional carpet cleaning technicians to treat the stain.Even if you won’t have any spill accidents, it is advised to have your carpets professionally cleaned every 12 to 18 months. While you’re at it, have your home professionally cleaned as well. Karen’s Green Cleaning is one of the most reputable cleaning companies available and can make your home sparkly clean, ready for any occasion. This is also one way to lighten up your chores at home. Because cleaning is never easy. To make sure that you can clean every corners at home you need to spend enough time cleaning. You don’t have to rush because rushing may lead to missing some areas. But with just simply hiring a professional home cleaner you can guarantee that your entire home will be properly cleaned. You can even add a service to wash the dishes, window cleaning, do the laundry and so much more. This is only another way of maintaining your home’s cleanliness without worrying when to do it because of your busy schedule. In addition  it can help you keep your work life balance. You can spend time with your family rather than spending your free time cleaning your home. You don’t also have to worry about buying cleaning solutions because the cleaning company will be the one to provide all the cleaning solutions needed for your home cleaning. Professional cleaners has a lot to offer book one of your services today and see for yourself.