Spills and stains are quite normal in every home. Unfortunately, many people spend a tidy sum of money hiring professionals even when some stains are easy to remove. Did you know that a chunk of stale bread can be used to remove dirt from suede material or that a can of coke can be used to remove a blood stain? Together with the experts from Pro Carpet Cleaning www.procarpetcleaningsydney.com.au we will explore several of the best ways to remove common stains from your carpet using environmentally friendly methods. We hope that this information will help you keep your carpets looking their best for years to come.
1. Use white vinegar for most carpet stains
Vinegar is one of the most effective DIY stain removal and cleaning solutions. It does it all, whether it is dirt, blood, food, wine, make-up or pet stains.
- For light carpet stains, rub it with a mixture of 1 tablespoon of salt dissolved in ½ cup of white vinegar. Let the solution dry and then proceed to vacuum.
- For darker and larger stains, add 2 tablespoons of borax to the previous solution and use it in the same way as above.
- For tough stains, make a mixture of 1 tablespoon of vinegar and 1 tablespoon of cornstarch and rub it into the tough stain using a dry cloth. Let it sit for 2 days, and then vacuum.
- For paint stains, mix 1 ½ teaspoons of vinegar with 1 ½ teaspoons of laundry detergents and 2 cups of water. Immediately sponge away the spilled paint and rinse it with cold water.
- Every family with pets struggles with pet stains almost every day. Make a solution of ¼ cup of vinegar and warm water to spritz on the stain. Leave the solution on the stain for some time and then proceed to sponge it up until the stain vanishes and the spot is dry
2. Beer for cleaning
Surprisingly, beer has other uses, besides getting you tipsy. For instance, it can be used to remove tea and coffee stains effectively in no time. Pour the beer on the stain and gently rub it into the carpet or rug. In no time, the stain should disappear. However, if some traces are left behind, repeat the process a few more times and rinse off.
3. Salt
Salt is commonly used to season food, but it also has other purposes. Your doctor has advised to lessen your salt intake but you’ve got so much stock of salt at home. Well, there are other ways of using up these excesses like removing stains from carpets. Have you ever had grease and oil stains on your carpet? In such a case, mix 1 portion of salt with 4 portions of rubbing alcohol and apply it on the stain while rubbing it hard in the direction of the carpet’s or rugs natural nap. This is sure to remove all traces of the stain immediately.
Some red wine on your carpet? Pour white wine on the stain before it dries, to dilute the color. Clean the stain with a sponge and cold water, and then sprinkle some salt on the spot and wait for about 10 minutes. Afterward, vacuum up the residue.
Did the kids pour ketchup on your carpet? Instead of yelling at them, act fast by sprinkling salt over the spill and let it sit for a few minutes. Vacuum the spot and sponge up any remains. Continue adding salt and vacuuming until the spill completely disappears.
4. Shaving cream
Shaving cream works great on juice spills, grease, and oil stains. For juice spills, sponge the spot up with a wet sponge and then pour shaving cream on the stain. Watch the magic happen as you wipe the stain clean with a damp sponge.
For grease and oil stains, pour the cream on the stain and leave it to dry for a few minutes. Consequently, rub it off with a damp soft cloth.
5. Ice cubes
Ice cubes are a great way to get rid of chewing gum stuck on your carpet or rug. Simply, put some ice cubes in a plastic bag and place them on the gum for a few seconds. Once the gum is frozen, scrape it off with a butter knife and blot it out with trichloroethylene.
6. Baby wipes
Other than wiping your hands and face or your child’s posterior, baby wipes are easy and effective in absorbing liquids and stains. They can be used on a variety of spills and drips on your carpets, clothes, and upholstered furniture.
7. A solution of 3% hydrogen peroxide
A solution of hydrogen peroxide works miraculously on stains. Dissolve some cream of tartar or non-gel toothpaste with hydrogen peroxide and apply it on the stain with a soft cloth. The stain should disappear almost immediately.
Conclusion
There are numerous DIY stain removal techniques you can use to keep your carpet, furniture, and garments looking new for many years to come. Home solutions for stain removal are very cost-effective and most of them are more environmentally-friendly as compared to their chemical counterparts. However, if you encounter a tough stain, call up a professional cleaning service to handle it as soon as possible.
