We’ve all been there. That time you dropped a cup of coffee, red wine, or even chocolate ice cream on your cream and fibre carpet and stained it beyond repair. It’s stressful enough having to clean up the mess, but the thought of how you will go about removing that stain is daunting.
However, fear not. It is possible to erase those stains and return your carpet to its former glory. Below, we’ve outlined the steps you’ll need to follow for stained carpets of different materials – from wool to cotton.
1) Use an All-purpose Stain Remover
One way of getting your carpet back to tiptop shape is by finding a stain remover in stores and using it to clean up the mess. This is the simplest way to do it; but did you know you can create your own stain-removing concoction as well?
Here are the steps to make your homemade stain remover.
- Mix 2 teaspoons of dishwashing liquid with a cup of white vinegar.
- Apply this mixture to the stained area using a cloth or a sponge and let it sit for a few minutes.
- Use a clean cloth to wipe off the mixture. Then, blot the area with a dry towel until the stain is completely removed.
Once you’re done, leave your carpet to dry. Most patches aren’t too stubborn after that, so you’ll find yourself with a clean carpet in no time.
2) Use a Vacuum Cleaner
Here’s another neat trick. Instead of using harsh chemicals to remove your coffee stains and other blemishes on your carpet, try sucking it up with a vacuum first before applying other cleaners or solutions onto it.
This way, you don’t have to risk any permanent damage to the material. Plus, it’s a lot easier than trying to get rid of stains manually. You don’t need to apply any external liquids either! All you have to do is run your vacuum over the blotch until the liquid disappears.
If your vacuum is faulty or doesn’t have a strong enough suction feature, consider investing in Dyson vacuums including the V11. They’re not only designed for small spaces and tight corners, but you can also use them to clean those pesky patches on your carpet as well!
3) Use Baking Soda to Remove Tough Stains
If you’ve tried everything and still can’t seem to extract the stain from your carpet, reach over the cupboard and search for leftover baking soda.
Why? Baking soda has properties that can absorb sticky substances, all while keeping them from settling back onto your carpet.
It’s made of tiny, absorbent granules which are perfect for scrubbing at stains and removing even the toughest ones.
More than that, baking soda is great for deodorising your carpet as well. Just sprinkle a generous amount of it on the stained area and leave it overnight. Come morning, you’ll be able to vacuum up the baking soda particles and with ease, leaving behind a carpet that looks good as new.
4) Use Lemon Juice to Get Rid Of Dried Stains
It’s hard to remove stains if they’ve already dried up. This is especially true when the blotch is made of oils or fats, which can be tough to remove even with a vacuum cleaner.
To deal with this kind of stain, saturate the area using lemon juice and wait for it to dry out completely. Once that happens, you’ll be left with a blotch that’s easier to get rid of by bleach or other cleaning solutions onto it.
In just a few minutes, the citric acid in the lemon juice will break down the oils and fats. With a bit of elbow grease, you can easily wipe out tough stains using this method.
5) Use Steam to Remove Stains
Using steam to clean up your carpet is one of the best ways to get it back in top condition. With your trusty iron board and a bit of spray water, you can easily clean away any stains stuck on your carpet within minutes.
To do this, start by plugging in the iron and letting it reach its optimal temperature. Once that’s done, spray a liberal amount of water onto the stained area and wait for it to dry out. Then, place your iron board on top of it and apply pressure, motioning forward and backward until the stain disappears.
In just a few seconds, you should see a marked improvement in the look of your carpet. This is also a great way to clean makeup stains on walls and the vanity, in case you need to improve your home.
6) Pets Shed Often? Try a Squeegee
If you’ve got pets roaming around your house, chances are they shed their fur regularly. Now, it’s not their fault – after all, being furry is part of being an animal!
Nonetheless, this still means that there are more opportunities for their hairs to fall onto your carpet. If you’re looking for ways to remove hair from places it shouldn’t be, then try using a squeegee.
A squeegee is a great tool for clearing out pet hair and other small particles. Although most of us would use it to clean windows, they work great in dislodging gunk in sticky surfaces like your carpet.
All you have to do is drag it across the tool’s distinct rubber blade, moisten it with water, and your carpet will look like new once more.
7) Use an Ice Cube
If you’ve left your carpet under the legs of heavy-set furniture for years, it’s bound to leave you with a marked or indented carpet. One way to remove this indentation is by using an ice cube.
Why? Ice has the unique ability to numb sensitive areas, therefore making it a great way to get rid of indentations on your carpet.
Just place a few ice cubes onto the affected area and leave them there until they melt completely. Then, use a cloth to wipe off any excess water from your carpet’s surface. Alternatively, you can also let it dry by ironing it on the iron board.
