How to Remove Stains From Carpeting and create Your Own Cleanser
Children do it; puppies do it; even adults at a fog do it — they make messes on carpeting. While it’s not necessary to begin moving furniture around to cover the leftover stains, then it is wise to attack the stains and spills instantly to make them disappear. Calling in a cleaning service isn’t necessary. You can make your own toxin-free cleanser and even lease a carpet-cleaning machine. Purchasing a small machine to keep on hand for if those frequent injuries of daily living leave their mark is the optimal solution for a stain-free environment.
First Responders
A glass of wine tumbles off the opposite table ; the dog has an accident; the youngster’s spaghetti plate is hurled across the room, missing the wall and landing on the rug — such is life. Immediacy is the key to cleaning the carpeting. Just take a white cotton towel and blot the stain. Measure on the towel for deep penetration. Keep turning the towel over and blotting until the rug is no longer wet. A white paper towel also functions, but it’ll tend to fall apart during the blotting process.
The Alternative
Depending on whether your rug is synthetic or natural fiber, a homemade alternative is possible. For synthetic carpets: Combine 1/4 teaspoon clean liquid cleanser with 1 cup of warm water. Or mix 1 cup of vinegar with 2 cups of water. For natural fiber carpets: Mix 1 tsp of plain liquid cleanser with 1 cup of lukewarm water. Or mix 1/4 cup of white vinegar with 1/4 cup of water. A tablespoon of plain ammonia and a 1/2 cup of water also produces an effective cleansing solution.
Prepping the Carpet
Spray the solution to the stain, and let it sit for at least five minutes. Don’t over-saturate the rug. Spray clean water on the stain and begin to gently rub in the direction of the fibers with a clean cloth. Blot up all the fluid, pushing into the rug to acquire solution that’s deep in the fibers.
The last Touch
If you are using a machine to complete the job and it appears that the stain has almost disappeared, fill the tank with clean water and run it on the stain, then dispensing the water and then sucking it up. If the staining is still evident, fill the cylinder with a solution that’s appropriate for your carpeting and make a few passes. Be sure all the remedy is removed and the rug is damp, not wet, before putting the machine away. Don’t walk on the area until the spot has dried.