There is something so comforting about the feel of a soft carpet underfoot, but it is precisely that soft and fluffy fabric feel that can soak up and hold onto stains. There are some stains that really stand out, while others are much easier to get out. 

Not to mention that when you are cleaning the carpet yourself, you run the risk of setting the stain, learn more about how professional carpet cleaners can help – and say goodbye to stains in the best way.  If you love a bit of DIY and don’t mind elbow grease, here are a couple of stains that are common and tips on how you can tackle them.

Photo by Anita Jankovic on Unsplash

Red Wine

If you have a dark carpet, you are going to be much less worried about this type of stain. However, anything in the pastels, whites, creams, and greys – you’re going to have a problem. 

The trick to getting red wine out of your carpet is speed and as little scrubbing as possible. Grab something to blot up the wine (or soak it up out of the carpet), and have some carbonated water, seltzer, or club soda. 

You don’t need much club soda, but using it bit by bit works well. The bubbles help to break down the stain, and you can blot it up as you go. You might need to repeat this a few times.

Animals

Puppies and kittens are super cute, but when they are potty training, it’s not uncommon for them to have little accidents. While urine is easier to clean up, it does often leave a pungent smell for a while. Poop, on the other hand, can leave a more permanent mark. 

For urine, the blotting technique used for the wine stain is fast and efficient. Try not to rub the stain with the paper as this can cause the paper to pill and stick to the carpet more. Once you have soaked up the patch until it is almost dry, using a misting bottle with white vinegar and water, spritz the area. The vinegar will help to neutralize the smell.

Coffee 

The only thing worse than spilling your coffee is spilling it on the carpet. The dark brown liquid soaks up pretty quickly. And, if you have milk as it dries, it will leave an awful smell for a while. 

Blotting is the savior of the day, but you’re going to need a mix of white vinegar and liquid dish soap to help deal with the rest.

Soak up as much of the coffee as you can first, then use ½ a teaspoon of vinegar and the liquid dish soap mixed together.

It’s better to use a white cloth so you can see the progress and so that you don’t get any other colors transferring to the carpet during the cleaning process.

For any stains that are emitting a smell, you can repeat the process a few times and then dust with bicarbonate of soda – as that can reduce odors. 

Perhaps you want to get your house sparkling clean before you have guests, and stain removal is a key part of it: How To Clean Your Home Before Guests Arrive – The Suburban Socialite.